Real Age

I was watching Fox News today and saw a segment on finding the real age of your body. I took the test. Unfortunately my age of my body is older than calendar age. My calendar age is 31.7 and my real age is 35.2. Which is better than I thought because I swear somedays I feel much much older. You can go to http://www.realage.com and take the test it is all free. It does take a while it is very indepth. What I also liked is they give you a plan to make yourself younger and you can print it off. It is very detailed as far as vitamin supplements you need, excercise, stress and so on. Go take the test and let me know if I am the only one whose body is older than the calendar age. http://www.realage.com

Because he said to

My hubby was checking his email and stated "someone needs to update their blog"...I know that someone was me so I am taking the hint.

Trouble is I am not overflowing with something to blog about.

With no cute kid stories, or no embarresing moments, nothing to whine about I will instead tell you about the newest movie hubby bought this weekend.

Hubby mentioned on Monday that "Walk the Line" was coming out. I wanted to see it but didn't know if I wanted to buy it or rent it. Hubby ended up just buying it. My doubts about seeing it were more to do with the fact that I am not a big older country music fan and wasnt sure if I would find the storyline interesting or not. I knew the actors had gotten several award nods and after seeing the movie I agree with the award nods because the movie was VERY good. I didn't know the bio of Johnny Cash and the sad and tough life. I have to recommend the movie it was well written and acted.

At least now I have updated my blog let's just hope the words flow more tommorow.

A lot less blah

I am feeling better. I went to my 2 week post op appointment today. I had gotten an infection from the stitches in the stomach muscles so that is why I have been hurting. At first they thought it was because I overdid it but THANKFULLY it was not because if it was I never would have heard the end of the "I told you so" comments.

Braden had his IEP (Independent Education Profile) and I continue to scratch my head at some things educators do. It took 4 people and about 8 explanations before the pincipal finally understoof the modification to the grading scale. Really sad part of that was that she was in on the meeting last year when the grading scale was put into place. All in all it was a good meeting I got all that I asked for in regards to what I thought needed to be done for Braden. Including we get to keep Braden's paraprofessional (her only job is to stay with Braden and watch for seizure activity, bee stings, etc.).

Today is a beautiful day 83 degrees and so sunny. But to all those that are thinking bad things about me dont because tommorow we will be in the low 50's and rain. Ugh that is why we all stay sick is because the weather wont make up its mind.

I am suppose to be resting until Sunday, but at least I can rest and feel better rather than laying here resting and still feeling awful.

Tidbits from my blah spot on the couch

I have the blah's the down in the dumps, whatever you want to call it.

I am not feeling well I think I overdid it a little. I go in for the doc to look at my incision on Wednesday. I want to be all better I want to be able to workout on my gazelle I want to be able to do fun stuff with my hubby (yes I mean that kind of fun stuff), I want all the stuff with this hysterectomy to be done.

Tommorow I have a dentist appointment because having a 7 inch gash across my stomach isnt enough fun I want to add getting a crown to my things to do.

Wednesday I have an IEP meeting for Braden. For those of you that don't have a child with special issues an IEP is an Independent Education Profile. These are due each and every yet. Last week I reminded the special education director at the school that Braden's IEP was due. He argued that it wasn't till April. Well I was write he called and oops he had overlooked the date and yes we need to have one immediately. Then on top of that he tells me that he is embarressed but they have lots of all of Braden's IEP's (very important documents) since 2004 and could I bring my copies so they could copy them. Doesnt that just inspire confidence in the special education program? So I am trying to get everything organized that I want to ask for to be in place for next year.

Tonight Matt got a crank call about his position on school board. It was from a grown man and wasnt too kind. How mature is that? and sadly it is probably kin to one of the teachers that Matt has crossed paths with.

Matt is covering me at the PTA meeting tonight since it definetly wasnt one of my best days. So instead of PTA I get to watch Power Ranger Mystic Force, oh joy!

True Love

How is it I have come to raise a boy crazy 2nd grader and a Casanova in training 1st grader.

Conversation with Braden regarding Emma in his class.

Braden: Emma is my girlfriend.

Me: She is that is good.

Braden: Yeah but she bugs me.

Me: Then why is she your girlfriend?

Braden: Because she is cute mom.

Me: But if she bugs you then you dont want her to be your girlfriend, do you?

Braden: *sigh* mommmmmmmmmmmm, I will just tell her not to talk to me or touch me but that she can still be my girlfriend she just has to leave me alone. I still love her even if she is annoying because mom she is cute.

Goin Dancin!

Tonight is the kids Winterball at the elementary. Both are excited especially Brittney who is all glittery and ready to go!

Bites are made for Poppin

Britt has seen the Pizza Hut "These Bites are Made for Poppin" commercial several times. Of course if it is on a commercial than we must try it.

She wasnt feeling good this evening and mentioned that for dinner. So I called hubby who had Braden at speech and they picked up the Poppin Bites Pizza for dinner.

Let me just say....first off the bites do not just pop off the crust, and second the cheesy bites were lacking the cheese as it seemed most of it had seeped out during cooking. It wasn't a bad pizza but it was by no means a great pizza either.

But regardless of the taste of the pizza it is the theme song that wont leave my head!

Gray Cloud

This day has been one of those where you just feel that a gray cloud is hanging over.

My very good friend is in Oklahoma City where her daughter is undergoing a back surgery. The sad thing is this surgery didn't have to take place except that there was a malfunction with a rod that was originally placed and it broke. I am still waiting to here that Nicole is out of surgery.

The school nurse called and Braden was not acting himself. I watched him very closely and it did appear he was having some petite mal seizures. So I dont know if he is fighting off a bug or what. He has been doing so good and I can't stand the thought of him having a set back.

I went for my check up for my heart and blood pressure it went fine but I was again reminded that the abdominal hysterectomy is a major surgery and that I cannot be up and doing what I feel I need to be doing. Just frustrating. Also he explained why I was feeling the burning sensation (I had overdone it and pulled the muscles).

I was reading my blogs and read Secret Flight and the tragic news that her one week old baby boy passed away. Just broke my heart for her and her family.

Just one of those days where I just cant seem to get in my usual chipper mood. Too much seems to be cloudy. Maybe tommorow will be a chipper day and I can report that Nicole came through surgery and that Braden is doing good....here's hoping for a clear sunny day tommorow.

Where did my superhuman abilities go?

Okay it is like I told Matt I want to recover from this abdominal hysterectomy so fast. I want to be the one people say wow too bad you cant do as good as Kel did. That is just my personality I am competitive even with surgery recovery...lol.

But darn it seems that my body doesnt know it is suppose to have superhuman healing abiltiies.

Today is day 10 since surgery and all in all I am doing great. I called the nurse and tried to talk her into letting me drive this week because I had big plans on starting back at the office and going shopping. The nurse said NO WAY she said NO DRIVING at all until this Friday at the earliest. I also had dreams that I would be released to excercise at the gym, and do everything else after my March 1st appt now. I am thinking they will not release me for that until the 6 week mark. Which puts me behind on getting in shape for summer. I researched websites trying to find someone to agree with me that 2 weeks is plently of healing time but couldn't find one to agree with me so I had no leverage to beg hubby with.

Hubby was off today and I thought we would do something with the kids. Afterall I wouldn't be driving and I am doing SO good I could make it out as long as I needed too. I made it through lunch at Olive Garden and one stop at a shoe store that is going out of business until the burning in my stomach and the pain was too much. I had to give my purchase to Matt to pay out while I went to the van. I then came home took a pain pill and crashed.

So I am now working on my abbreviated not quite so jam packed week. I do have a doctor appt with my family doctor tommorow that I had forgotten about so dear hubby will have to drive me to that. I hate admitting there is stuff I cant do. Just my personality but I think today did show me I am not ready for a normal day of driving all over running in here and there going to the office and all quite yet....but surely by next week I will be ;)....and no I am not stubborn at all.

Picking a Political party already?

My dear hubby is a very conservative Republican. Him and I don't see exactly eye to eye on everything political but we have a lot of similiar running ideas.

So there is real no big political war in our house....until tonight.

You see sweet little 8 year old Britt informed her very Republican daddy that she was for Peace and she was going to be a Democrat and a Vegitarian.

Lots of little things contributed to it and no way would I have thought it would have all been put together in her mind the way she finally put it together.

She was doing a foam craft that included a peace sign. She started talking to me that she didn't believe in war. So I jokingly said you are going to be a Democrat and wont your daddy love that. Well add to this on animal planet a show about enviroment and then some political stuff she had picked up at school and from TV here and there. She put it altogether and then went to inform her daddy what she was going to be a Democrat and a Vegitarian.

It was hilarious I cant put it all down as funny as it was but dear hubby did not take it well and as anyone knows with a kid you are not going to win an argument. The more he tried to on her level explain the more she waved her peace sign that she had made out of foam and got more and more determined no matter what she was definetly going to be a Demorcrat no matter what daddy says!

I guess he has 10 years to change her mind about what party she will join!

Cutest Smile!

My baby has lost his first top tooth. I just love the grin he has now it is adorable! Of course Brittney keeps telling me it isn't as cute as hers was...I have assured here they were both equally adorable! Here is my too fastly growing up boy!

What kind of soul? -this one fits me pretty good.

You Are a Peacemaker Soul

You strive to please others and compromise anyway you can. War or conflict bothers you, and you would do anything to keep the peace. You are a good mediator and a true negotiator. Sometimes you do too much, trying so hard to make people happy. While you keep the peace, you tend to be secretly judgmental. You lose respect for people who don't like to both give and take. On the flip side, you've got a graet sense of humor and wit. You're always dimplomatic and able to give good advice. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul, Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

News Fix

Both Matt and I had our fill of kids show and both stated we needed a news fix.

His fix he turned on Fox News for some Fair and Balanced news.

My fix E Channel for some E News and celebrity gossip.

He actually scoffed at my version of news...how dare he...I believe the state of Tom and Katie is right up there with what Cheney did or didn't have to drink 5 hours before he went hunting....and besides mine is much more entertaining!

Finallly getting out...yippee

Okay no more whining at least not for awhile.

Guess what today I get to get out of the house. Who cares if it is for a doctors appointment I am still all excited.

Going to have Matt stop by the law office to pick me up some work to do so I can get some billing hours in before the end of the month.

I am going to take a shower and get in some baggy sweats. If I have baggy clothes left after doing nothing but laying around eating a giant chocolate chip cookie for the last few days!

I will let you know how the outing goes. Of course first thing I will probably do is come home and sleep for a few hours.

On another note our wheather is determined to make everyone sick today the high is 78 and sunny. Tommorow high of 40 with freezing rain and highs in the 20's all weekend.

It sucks

Doing toe touches just 4 days after abdominal hysterectomy.

Totally recovered in 5 days doing everything perfectly normal.

No sore abdominal no pulling of staples or steri strips.

No pain whatsoever. No restrictions.

Okay so the above things are not happeneing. Dammit. I want superhuman powers.

Friday will mark 1 week and dang it I want to drive and ride in a car and have wild monkey sex and do all that because I totally have no pain and am completely healed.
This 6 week crap will not work I am telling you it just wont work now if I can convince my poor sore abdomen of that I will be doing good.

I want to be the one people refer to when they say "too bad you didn't recover like Kel because she was up and doing everything in just a week".

I hate being down. I hate not being fully recovered. Heck I know it is expected to be down and I know everyone understands but me. I hate it hate it hate it. I was down with my cscetions but that was easier to handle for me mentally because I still had something that I was in control of and could take care of. With this surgery I dont.

And that ends my whine for tonight. Back to my place in the recliner where my mind is rotting away and I feel yucky and I dont want to do anything because it hurts and I dont want it to hurt because I want to do everything.

Piddly things

I actually slept half the night in bed last night instead of the recliner. But about 1 am I started hurting and had to move to the recliner again but at least I am starting to see improvment.

I wasnt feeling the best this morning and slept a little after Matt took the kids to school. I then got up took a shower and did just a few little piddly things and that has me feeling better. Just moving some flowers from one room to another emptying a gift bag and things like that. Not that it amounted to much but at least I was up and going.

I am going to have to take a pic of one of the flowers I got when I was in the hospital it is an oriental lily and I just love it I hope I can keep it alive.

My brother was going to come by yesterday and get one of my get well bouquets to give to his girlfriend for Valentines Day...isnt he romantic. Of course loser boy (that is my name for my brother and believe me it fits) ran out of gas before he even got here so I dont know what he ended up doing for his sugar mama for Valentines Day (She works and supports them, she is 16 years older than him).

I just had another slice of cookie from our cookie company cookie sooooo soooo yummy.

Well enough for piddly little things going to sit here and go a little stir crazy now.

Happy Valentines Day! with update

Happy Valentines Day!

This valentines marks 12 valentines spent with my dear hubby.

This valentines actually reminds me of our first valentines. This time I am recovering from my hysterectomy, but on our first valentines we both had the flu so bad we couldnt even eat chicken broth together.

Today I am so cranky and depressed talk to me and I may start bawling. Hubby is trying so hard but it is just not the way I am I am used to doing things and not being tied to this chair. So I guess a few waterworks is expected.

Hubby is taking great care of me, doing the housework, taking care of the kids and all. I appreciate it so much even though I dont always show it especially not today...but hubby I do appreciate it.

I have been promised a Cookie Company Cookie tonight for valentines day and that sounds just yummy.

So happy Valentines to everyone I am going to take a nap now.

UPDATE
Kids are home from school. Braden ripped apart his rather costly candy boquet in record time. Brittney received a dozen roses and two balloons from her boyfriend (remember she is a 2nd grader). I have been very gripy all day today so feel sorry for my dear hubby or feel sorry for me because he is bound to snap at me soon with just cause. Hubby is out picking up dinner and dessert for us now. Brittney and Braden are on a candy high.

Running away from home

If my hubby was smart he would have already packed a bag and ran from this zoo.

There is me laying in the recliner and feeling like I am being ripped in half if I move. Reading or magazines dont even hold my interest yet.

Then because he didnt have enough to do with taking care of me both kids are home sick with pink eye.

I am actually feeling better today not so sick but oh so so sore. Braden's eye is just awful but Brittney's eye looks better.

We dont want dear hubby to get bored with nothing to do so we just are going to let him take care of all three of us!

I have been lucid and awake for 20 minutes to write this blog entry now it will take me a two hour nap to recover.

Home

I got discharged this morning. I anticipate the next few days will consist of Phenergan and Percocet. They did remove the 32 staples this morning so that felt a little better. If I dont update you know I am in the Percocet/Phenergan induced world for a few days.

Update from Husband

Yes, it's Kel's husband. I ran home this evening to grab the mail, eat, ect.

The nurse has my cell phone and I expect to be out and back in within 2 hours. I will be spending the night with her.

As I left, the wife was soundly snoring from the meds. Her surgery went well, with no complications at all. She was in her room by 11 a.m. local time. Surgery had started just prior of 9 a.m local time.

She gets to feast on the lucrative ice chips today and tonight. I am sure by tomorrow she will be thinking me for the spice chi tea or shakes, if allowed.

Anne, sorry to only be able to text "doing ok" but that is all i could get out of my cell phone. For someone on a computer all day, I just sucked in txt messaging.

I just wanted to let all those readers to know the surgery went good with no complications. I expect her out of the hospital by Sunday. Surely by then the internet DDT's will set in as well.

I appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers.

Ready to go

Prep list before surgery in the morning...

House cleaned - check

Kids clothes layed out for all of next week so hubby doesnt have my daughter wearing yellow and purple with plaid pants - check

Recipes printed out, and ingredients bought - check

Hospital bag packed - check

Bag for kids to spend time with my parents - check

Kids freaking out because they dont want daddy to be in charge for a week - check

Me ready to be in a drug induced stupor for a few days - check.

Okay looks like I am ready to go. Hubby will be taking me at 6am for 8am procedure. Suppose to take about 2 hours, then I will be admitted until Sunday. Parents are coming to take kids to school tommorow and keep them tommorow night.

Appropriate time for a story?

Tonight we went out to dinner at TGI Fridays. We got seated right away and our waitress was friendly.

She begins to take our order and is talking with the kids. She talks to Brittney and tells her she has a 9 year old sister and asks Brittney if she likes Polly Pocket. She then informs us she has a funny Polly Pocket story.

The short version of the story is that her sister puked all over the van on the way to California and apparently had tried to swallow a polly pocket and finally puked it out and hit the dad in the back of the head with the polly pocket. Believe me she took longer than that to tell it complete with hand gestures on the vomit spewing out of the sisters mouth.

Am I the only one that thinks a story involving vomit might not be the best story to tell your customers as you are taking their orders for dinner?

Tied Hands

If you try you can probably feel the frustration rolling off of me.

I am ticked off as well as frustrated.

A year ago hubby was elected to school board. He ran because he questioned how somethings were done and why. Not that I am partial or anything but I think he is an awesome school board member because he does ask questions.

Of course those he asks questions about dont like it. They keep making comments well the other school board members dont do this, they dont ask about this and so on. Well darn it maybe they should and then something would get done.

What is so frustrating though is that everything hubby trys to do seems to be hampered by some law or by some administrative decision.

They think that since hubby is on board he shouldnt do other things (like visit with kids teachers, be on PTA, be at the school). Just because he is school board member doesnt mean he isnt a dad darn it. It just gets me riled because he wants to be involved and wants to do these things. There is no law that says he cant be on school board, on PTA, be at the school, talk to teachers, etc. But apparently it is a small town politc thing.

Parents are rallying which is a good thing we recently got 200 signatures thinking this would help but no the administration doesnt even have to pay attention to it. Parents are glad hubby is on the board and trying to make a change, administration not so much. Ugh so bottom line is hubby is trying to make a positive change and small town crapola politics and good old boy network is tying his hands. Ugh.

I don't have it bad at all

Last night was girls night out. About 8 of us moms do this about every 2 to 3 months. It consists of Logan's Steakhouse for dinner. Last night was a little wilder than usual as we added in a trip to Books A Million and WalMart following dinner.

The lead up to girls night out in my house was no big deal. I mentioned it to dear hubby and he started planning a fun in home night for him and the kids with movie, games and snacks. Nothing to it.

Earlier in the day we saw some friends of ours and the wife was getting a major guilt trip from her hubby about him having to watch the kids. I get to dinner and all except one starts with horror stories about how their hubby wouldn't watch the kids. How they had to get their parents to do it because hubby said wasn't his responsibility. How they had to promise this or do this to get him to do it. I just don't get it.

Now hubby isn't perfect (I cant brag on him too much) and we have our moments but all in all we get along great, he is supportive, he helps a ton around the house. I am lucky.

At times I tend to forget how lucky and may take the situation and him for granted but girls night out tends to remind me of how lucky I am.

Dinner always consists of awful husband stories which I always only half listen to because I figure there are two sides and it is probably somewhere in the middle of how it is being told. Needless to say there are always horrors of hubby's that wouldnt dare do housework, watch the kids, or go hunting for a week by themselves but wont watch the kids for three hours.


So thanks hubby for being wonderful. I am sure I will test his patience in the next few weeks after my surgery as I can be a tad cranky during good times much less when I am in pain and feeling frustrated.

I may need more paper

I need some more paper because this to do list is out of control. I only have about 60 sheets in the printer now and by the time I am done listing I dont know if that will be enough.

I did my preop appotinment this morning. It will be me and my bed for a minimum of a week (he says 6 to 8 weeks I say 2 to 3 weeks). We discussed all the fun risks of next Friday's hysterectomy including the fact that because of my csections my bladder may have attached to the uterus and would have to be clipped off. Doesn't that sound like fun. Also had to sign 3 times that I understood that without a uterus I would be unable to have a child, apparently lots of people have had hysterectomy's and then sued because they couldnt have kids. Whatever.

Of course the appointment just made me want to get more stuff done. I just cant imagine having two weeks minimum where I cant run things and do things.

So I am in panic mode before next Friday trying to organize everything, complete things for activities and meetings that will take place during my hiatus from the outside world.

Okay back to the to do list.....I just know that it is imperative that I organize the spice cabinet before the surgery.

Weather Confusion!

My poor tulips. I noticed them all peeking out of the ground today.

Of course it has been hitting high 60's and low 70's here lately.

So if it stayed like that my tulips would probably go ahead pop out of the ground and bloom pretty. The key is IF IT STAYED THAT WAY but due to the fact that it is only the first of February it will not stay that way.

Forcast is calling for freezing rain and back to the 40's.

Poor tulips and my bradford pear trees they just dont know what to do they think it is warm enough to come out but it is just too early!

Little Casanova

Coversation with Braden:

Braden: "Mom I am so cute"

Me: "I know you are"

Braden: "Girls love me"

Me: "They do?"

Braden: "Yes mom I have 105 girlfriends".

Me: "Wow that is a lot"

Braden: "I know mom but they all love me and I cant tell them no"

Oh boy as if raising a 8 year old girl who is totally boy crazy isnt enough now I have a son that is planning his harem.

Good Cop Bad Cop

I have decided from now till the kids turn 30 hubby gets to be the bad cop. I ALWAYS WANT TO BE THE GOOD COP.

Just about killed me tonight we had to discipline Braden. We do the normal things of course getting onto them and the quit fighting with your sister, pick up this or that. But basically both kids are pretty good and we don't have to do many major things.

Today however Braden brought home his work folder. It was so obvious he had just slopped his way through it. He could care less. Well we had to make an impression on him. So we decided to take his movie away before bed.

This doesn't sound like a bad thing but it was like we were cutting off his arm. It was THAT BAD. I tried to cave but hubby wouldn't let me. Then Braden decided to throw a tantrum and I knew there was no way I could be good cop and let him have another chance.

So my little boy was so upset and it just about killed me but no movie before bed and he eventually fell asleep. He even apologized for throwing a fit and yelling at me. Just broke my heart. But like hubby said maybe since it was so hard on him he will remember it and work harder at school....I hope so if not hubby gets to do all the disciple and I get to do all the hugs and rewards...I think that sounds fair.

And I mean really look at this face...feel my pain how hard it was to have this face doing the lip puckering, puppy eyes, crying, it isnt fair and I just love you mommy face at me.....

Bed Rest List has been started

I am counting the days till surgery on the 10th. I know I will have to take it easy for awhile and I know that will be so hard for me to do.

Good news is I saw today that Grey's Anatomy First Season comes out on Feb 14 so I have requested that for Valentines Day. Then I also saw that Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon comes out on Feb 7 so I requested that too for my bed rest days.
Those along with some new books should make the bed rest bearable!

9 hours of basketball

We started at 9am with the Kindergarten/1st grade tournament. The refs had to throw one dad out of the gym for mouthing. Yes at a K/1st tournament and yes it is ridiculous. Braden's team did so good but oh they got so tired by the 5th game (3 played in a row with NO breaks) they no longer cared if they won or not. They ended up in 2nd and we were proud they did great! Here is my little man with his trophy.



Brittney's tournament (2nd/3rd) started directly after Bradens. Her team ended up playing 4 games 3 of those back to back with no breaks. By the 3rd game they were so tired. I was so proud though they played the best they have ever played and beat a team that we had not beat before. They got 3rd place and here is my girl with her trophy.



Now we are waiting on the delivery of the pizza and the rest of the evening to do nothing!

100 days

I have been working in my classroom for 100 days
I have been working in my classroom for 100 days
Hooray!
In the morning bring your book and pencil too!
Everyday at Pocola we learn something new!

I have heard this song over 100 times...today the kids classes celebrate the fact that they have been in school for 100 days.

This meant I had to provide Braden with 100 capri sun drinks (he had to bring 100 of something to share at snack time)
Bubble gum so they can blow 100 bubbles
Fruit Loops so they can make a necklace of 100 Fruit Loops.

For Brittney's class
I have to bake 100 chocolate chip cookies(the mini ones that are already pre shaped)
and she has to take a 100 piece puzzle.

Matt is driving the kids to school this morning so I am sure he will get to hear the 100 song another 1000 times!

Getting prepared to say goodbye uterus

I found out last week I have to have a hysterectomy no more putting it off. Yes I am young darn it (or I like it when someone says that anyway). I am 31 just in case you wanted to know, but doesnt matter have to say goodbye to the uterus and cervix.

Also found out cant do the laporscopic way (no that would be too easy) no outpatient surgery for me. I will go in on the 10th and have the surgery and hopefully be home and on lots of drugs by the 13th. They have to open up my already abused csection scar.

So being the perpetual planner that I am the fact that I will be down probably 2 weeks (I say 1-2 they say 6-8) I am in panic mode. I have cleaned 3 out of 4 of the main closets (because you know that has to be done before I am down). I know I am a nuerotic mess when it comes to having things organized. I have already ordred valentines gifts for teachers and my kids to be delievered to the school. I have started a massive list of things I can do from my bed when I am home and suppose to be in said bed.

Next on the list call Cox Cable and tell them if they have another internet snafu like they did this last week which resulted in no internet for 4 days then they better send a straight jacket for me because otherwise I will come find them even if I am hooked to a cathater and/or major pain meds.

Two weeks from tommorow and so much to get done!

We have access

At 3pm today we finally got our internet back. We are suppose to call tommorow and they will credit our account since Saturday.

I am so far behind on things....especially reading blogs and email.

I hope to get caught up soon, but at least we are back online.

Limited Access

Still not with complete internet. It is such a pain. Had insomnia at 1 am last night and it killed me not to be able to get up and do a little computing until I got tired.

Poor hubby is back at the coffee shop getting some work done. I have spent an hour on the phone with the troubleshooters at cox. At least now we have determined that something with their new configuration has made the wireless routers not work.

Good thing is I have gotten more housecleaning done this morning, of course that was before we discovered that I could get some service by direct plugging into stationary pc. But hubby will soon be home to work on the internet problem and since I cant log in from laptop that means I can get more housework done.

Horrors

Horror of horrors we are without internet.

Apparently the brilliant people at Cox Cable did some kind of conversion Saturday night. Said conversion wiped out all connections in our area.

So no internet on Sunday, no internet at 4am when I was wide awake.

I am at the law office right now on this very slow dial up but happy just to have connection for a few minutes.

Poor hubby is sitting at a table in the coffee shop this morning trying to get some of his work done. This is really affecting him since the company he works for is based in Pennsylvania and he does all his work from his home office.

I am hopging the horror will end soon, but I am not so sure of it since Matt talked to a real genuis at Cox this morning and that guy wasnt even aware of the problem.

Pickles

Brittney talking about boys this morning at breakfast:

Brittney: "Mom, Dillon asked me to meet him by the climbing wall yesterday, we are back together. He is the first boy I have loved, I did love Daniel for awhile but then he did something awful".

Me: "What did he do" (Remember she is only in 2nd grade)

Brittney: "Oh mom it was awful he dipped his pickles in ketchup and after I saw that I was like no way am I marrying him"

So it was the pickles in ketchup that pushed her over the edge...LOL.

Home remedies

I thought some of these were neat. I havent tried them all but I think they will be worth trying to remember. Thought I would share.

Headache - Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache paint almost immediately.

Burns - Colgate toothpaste makea an excellent salve for burns.

Sore Throat - Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Urinary Tract Infections - Dissolve two Alka Seltzer in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly.

Skin Blemishes - Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Toenail Fungus - Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Splinters - Just pour a drop of Elmer's glue all over the spliner, let dry and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Broken Blisters - To disinfect a broken blister dab on a few drops of Listerine (a powerful antiseptic)

FOR PETS
Dog Fleas - Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops in your dog's bath and shampoo the naimal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Dog Odor - Wipe down your animal wiht a Bounce or any dryer sheet instantly make your dog smell springtime fresh.

Eliminate Ear Mites - Take a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cats ear. Massage it in, then clean it with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites and accelerates healing.

Many layers

Kelli The Onion
Stolen from Anne

I am one of many many layers...:)

Layer One
Name: Kelli
Birthdate: 06/26/74
Birthplace: Dumas, Texas
Current Location: Pocola, Oklahoma
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blond
Righty or Lefty: Righty
Sun Sign: Cancer
Innie or Outtie: Innie

Layer Two
Your heritage: American Indian, Irish and German
The shoes you wore today: Keds
Your hair: I pay to have it straight because otherwise it is crazy curly.
Your eyes: Dark blue.
Your weakness: Chocolate and the puppy dog faces my kids give me
Your fears: Something happening to my family
Your perfect pizza: Canadian Bacon, Cheese, Mushrooms and pineapple and making it taste totally great and be completely Fat Free would be PERFECT
One thing you'd like to achieve: Raising great kids

Layer Three
Your most overused phrase: Whatever
Your first waking thoughts: I dont want to get up and then I have to pee
The first feature you notice in the opposite sex: Eyes
Your best physical feature: I asked hubby and he said legs..."whatever"
Your bedtime: As soon as the Melatonin that I take knocks me out
Your greatest fear: Something happening to hubby when he flies, or kids or just family in general
Your greatest accomplishment: Kids
Your most missed memory: Missed memory? I guess I dont get it.

Layer Four
Pepsi or Coke: Dr. Pepper
Single or group dates: I always liked going out with a bunch of friends
Adidas or Nike: Nike
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: SoBe Green Tea
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate
Anything else-- Chocolate covered strawberries
Cappuccino or coffee: Spiced Chai Tea

Layer Five
Smoke: No never have tried it
Cuss: Sometimes and then I get in trouble from the bad word police otherwise known as Brittney.
Sing: Not if anyone can hear me and if they can hear me they wish they cant
Take a shower everyday: Yes
Have a crush(es): I crush on hubby every day
Do you think you've been in love: hubby and always amazes me that it grows continually
Want to go to college: Have completed 2 years.
Like high school: I did I had a fun group to hang out with and I mingled with pretty much everyone.
Want to get married: Will celebrate 11 years in July.
Believe in yourself: Yes but when I have doubts hubby props me up..
Type with your fingers on the right keys:
Think you're attractive: Hubby makes me feel it on those days that I am like ugh
Think you're a health freak: I try to be fairly healthy
Get along with your parents: I have those I want to be adopted moments but other than that yes.
Play an instrument: No.

Layer Six
In the past month, did you...
Drink alcohol: Yes new years eve I tried a Jack Daniels Watermelon Spike...yum..since I hate the taste of alchol it says a lot that I liked it tasted like a Watermelon Jolly Rancher.
Smoke: No
Do a drug: No (do my nerve pills count..lol..without them I might not celebrate 11 years because hubby might kill me..lol)
Make Out: Yes
Go on a date: Yes
Eat an entire box of Oreos: No but that doesnt mean the urge wasnt there
Eat sushi: No....yucky yucky
Been on stage: No but have spoken in public at PTA meetings and that is bad enough
Been dumped: No
Gone skating: Yes well I did hang out on the sidelines and gossip with the other moms while hubby and kids skated.
Made homemade cookies: Yes
Been in love: Yes.
Gone skinny dipping: Not this month (wink at hubby...too cold for the pool out back)
Dyed your hair: No
Stolen anything: No

Layer Seven
Have you ever...
Played a game that required removal of clothing: Just with hubby.
If so, was it mixed company: Hubby.
Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Hate to admit but I have drank too much twice once in college and once not quite so bad since then
Been caught "doing something": Oh yes
Been called a tease: Yes.
Gotten beaten up: No.
Shoplifted: When I was in 6th grade and it was the cool thing to do from the shoppette on the military base I lifted a pack of lifesavers and felt so bad.
If so, did you get caught: No.
Changed who you were to fit in: Yes unfortunately and wish I could impress on my children never to do it.

Layer Eight
Age you hope to be married: I got married 3 weeks after I turned 21 so that I would be able to have an alcoholic drink on honeymoon.
Numbers and Names of Children: Brittney age 8 and Braden will turn 7 in May
Describe your Dream Wedding: We got married in an outside ceremony at a bed and breakfast our color was Royal Blue and I had a poofy cinderella dress.
How do you want to die: In my sleep with hubby holding me when we are 100
What do you want to be when you grow up: I am being a mommy and wife and that is the greatest but I also love my freelance paralegal work.
What countr(ies) would you most like to visit: I would like to go back to Germany.

Layer Nine
Number of men I have kissed: Does Kindergarten thru 8th grade count......I remember kissing a little boy in Kindergarten and one in 3rd both on the cheek and my first tounge kiss in 8th grade and I thought it was the grossest thing ever it was on a school bus and I mouthwashed my mouth out for 10 minutes...after those it gets a little blurry and I dont remember (or dont want to admit..you decide).
Number of boyfriends you've had: Hmmmm ran out of finger sand toes so cant give an exact number..lol
Number of drugs taken illegally: none
Number of people I could trust with my life: Luckily I have several first and foremost hubby and then some family and friends
Number of CDs that I own: I dont know hubby takes care of that stuff
Number of piercings: 4 (2 in each ear)
Number of tattoos: None
Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Several
Number of scars on my body: Several (c-sections, some from body surfing in Galveston, one from a stomach surgery)
Number of things in my past that I regret: There isn't a whole lot that I regret but there are a few things I would do different if I could go back with current knowledge.

Home with a sick one

72 degrees on one day and 40 the next has made Brittney a sick little girl. Stuffy, sore throat, watery eyes, and lots of sniffles.

The upside is I get to hold my girl and watch dvds with her.

I am also reliving memories watching Full House. Brittney got the first two seasons for Christmas.

It is funny seeing it now and how cheesy it is now. I remember watching Full House every Friday night. Now I look at the mullet haircuts, the girls hairstyles and it is so funny. Brittney loves the show and while I hate her being sick I like having her cuddled by my side.

Eleven at least

Brittney doesn't look 8 I realize this. She is tall for her age and also acts older. I am told by everyone.

She is starting to think about fashion. When kiddos got in from school I informed them we were going to go out for dinner and to the mall. Brittney was like oh no "I have to change clothes these have school grime on them"...so she changed into one of her new Christmas outfits fixed her hair and even applied some of her lip tinted gloss. Off we went...

Checking out at Claire's at the mall talking to the clerk. Brittney had picked up 10 things for $5 off the sidewalk sale and is going on and on and the clerk comments about Brittney talking about Jesse McCartney (there was a poster there). I am like yes I know she is boy crazy and only 8. The lady is astonished and says no way she definetly looks 11. She looks at least like an average 11 year old.

Brittney BEAMS from this comment.

We get into the mall walking to meet up with hubby and Braden when she says "Mom if the clerk thinks I am 11 then boys probably do to so if you see an older boy checking me out let me know".....OH YEAH I AM SO GOING TO DO THAT....NO WAY...She is MUCH to young for this and I can currently brag that I have no gray hair but I have a feeling between my children that will SOON change.

De-Lurking

I admit it I am lurker there are several blogs that I read often but rarely comment.

This is de-lurker week! So leave a comment and say Hi! I love getting comments and I am trying to get better at leaving them too!

Just I Love You

This morning it was getting hectic and I was sitting in hubby's office on the couch trying to get organized when Braden ran by the door backed up ran in and gave me a huge hug and said "I love you" and ran back out.

Just an I love you, not followd by an I want this mom or oops mom I did that. Just an I love you.

It has made the whole day more bearable just having that spontaneous heartfelt hug from my son this morning.

Bad sportmanship

Kids basketball games started today. There are two age brackets 2nd and 3rd play together and then Kindergarten and 1st play together.

Brittney's team played first it was a good game, they didnt win but they did really good and played their best.

Braden had two back to back games. First game they did great and won.

Second game was against a team from another small town called Spiro. This game went downhill from the first because it is a coed league and this team didn't bring any girls so that was the first thing, then the second thing is they brought a second grader too. Well they asked if the 2nd grader could play it was our decision since we were playing them. The coach said the kid wouldnt play much so we agreed. Our team is even boys and girls and more Kindergartens than 1st graders.

The game started with the other team totally not doing the rules, not staying in the zones that are part of the rules. It went downhill with cussing from that teams parents. Then further downhill with a fight in the stands, further down when the coach was asking why the rules mattered to the refs. It was awful.

The end is that team was totally kicked out of the league, which is sad for the kids but the parents were beyond awful. It is a Kindergarten/First grade game it is for fun and it was suppose to be a non competitive league. But it was awful. Hopefully next Saturdays game will go smoother.

Insomnia

I dont know how many posts I have written related to insomnia but I am sick of having it.

I have tried everything from prescriptions to herbal medicines to bedtime rituals (that isn't as kinky as it sounds) and still here I am at 2:41 am.

I know tonight I have a little more on my mind than normal which is a lot. Normally it is just mostly things with Braden and so on.

Tonight not so a friend of mine came to me last night with news that her father had been shot and killed by her stepmom. I am not close friends with her but she I think a lot about her and I had met her father a few times. It is just such a senseless act that robbed 5 kids of a grandfather and leaves a 15 year old without any parents. My friend will now be raising her sister as their mother died of cancer over 10 years ago.

I know I think about too much I worry about people I have never met, I worry about Savannah (whose page is on my side bar) I click everyday to find out how she is. I have given what I could to the family before. She is very sick now and I find myself at 2am worrying about her.

So I guess if I had a shut off valve for my thoughts I would be sleeping soundly.

Of course this strepthroat that I have been battling since day after Thanksgiving is not helping my sleeping either. One of the new meds raises my blood pressure. So nice to wake up at 1am with a splitting headache.

I have taken 2 Melatonin which should kick in soon and at least let me catch a few hours of sleep before I get up at 6am.

Ugh Insomnia...I wish this would be my last post related to not being able to sleep but I am not counting on it.

Anne Tagged Me

Anne has tagged me so here goes.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:

1. Sandwhich Maker

2. Nurse Aide

3. EKG Monitor Tech

4. Paralegal

Four Movies that you would watch over and over:

1. Pretty Woman

2. Sleepless in Seattle

3. Never Been Kissed

4. You've Got Mail

Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. Friends

2. The Apprentice

3. Grey's Anatomy

4. Desperate Housewives

Four places you have been on vacation:

1. San Antonio, TX

2. Cancun, Mexico

3. St Louis MO

4. Philladelphia, PA

Four websites you visit daily:

1. My blog site and then go down my list of blogs to see updates

2. Hotmail to check my email

3. My bank site to look at my account and mark checks that have cleared

4. Ebay

Four of your favorite foods:

1. Lasagna

2. Enchildas

3. Potato Soup

4. Chicken Fried Steak

Four places you would rather be right now:

1. Snuggling with hubby

2. In a hot bath with my book

3. Eating a really good dinner that tastes awesome but contains no fat or calories

4. Snuggled under a blanket maybe watching a movie

Four Bloggers you are tagging:

Whoever wants too!

Crazy to Gross

I am filling in for a friend at the law office this morning answering phones.

It must be a full moon because it is crazy.

1st call

Me: Law Office
Idiot: I need to hire a lawyer
Me: Okay, can you tell me what for?
Idiot: I want to sue WalMart
Me: And, what did they do?
Idiot: They robbed me
Me: (rolling eyes) How did they do that sir?
Idiot: The clearance tag said $3.00 and they charged me $5.00
Me: And, sir did you bring this to their attention?
Idiot: No it is their responsibility.
Me: So let me get the facts, you want to sue them for the $2.00
Idiot: No that would be stupid (me silently agreeing but then he continues...)
I want to sue them for mental anguish.
Me: Well sir, let me explain that to have a lawsuit you would have to have an extensive amount of damages and I dont believe that we would be able to handle this.
Idiot: Well I will find someone and when I sue them and win a million dollars you will be sorry. (HANGS UP)

Caller No. 2
Me: Law Office
Gross: I need an attorney I think I am about to be arrested.
Me: Yes maam, what do you believe you will be arrested for.
Gross: My boyfriends mom just caught us having sex in his bedroom.
Me: How old is your boyfriend?
Gross: 13
Me: And maam, how old are you?
Gross: 39
Me: (mentally gagging) Let me get the facts, the mother caught you having sex?
Gross: Yes
Me: You were in her home?
Gross: Yes I live there too.
Me: (Getting confused) So it is your home too?
Gross: No it is kinda complicated but I love him and we are going to get married.
Me: Okay you live there as a guest?
Gross: No I am the nanny
Me: (Gagging) So there are more kids in the home?
Gross: Yes the other boys are 9 and 5 but I am not in love with those boys because that would be insane.

So that is the two highlight calls of my morning.Phone is currently ringing so I may be back, or I may just strangle myself with the phone cord.

No desk for him

Brittney got a pretty new desk for Christmas it matches the rest of her bedroom furniture.

She had been using a small black desk, I thought it would look cute in Braden's room and it would give him a desk for his room.

Our conversation went like this....

Me: I am going to put this desk in your room.

Braden: NO!

Me: Why not it will look good in there and then you will have a desk to sit at.

Braden: NO! NO! Desks mean work and I dont want one KEEP IT OUT OF THERE.

Can you tell that this boy is going to give me gray hair!

So the desk is in the garage and Braden's room is desk free.

Day at the Spa

I had a day at the spa...of course it was set up in my daughter's room...and the spa attendants were Brittney and Braden.

Braden doing my pedicure.


My pretty pedicure.


A little more blush on my cheeks.


The kids doing my hair and makeup.


The end result...maybe not the look I would normally get but I did have a lot of fun and special time with the kids.

Resolutions

1. Be healthier/Lose weight.
My goal 35 pounds. I would be at my ideal weight if I lose 35 pounds. I know I will never be twiggy skinny but the 35 pounds would put me at a healthy weight for my height and I would feel good at that weight and believe I could maintain.
I would like to loose 10 pounds by Feb 5
I would like to be at a total weight loss of 20 pounds by March 15
I would like to be at a total weight loss of 30 pounds by May 1

2. Spend more quality time with kids and hubby. Things get so busy I want to get back to reading their devotions before bed and just having that no tv time together with them before bed. With hubby I would like to have at least 3 nights of the week that we dont watch tv after kids are in bed but just make it an us date.

3. Be more time organized. I know my hubby thinks I am organized as do most of my friends. But I really think I could be more conscious of where the time goes and how it is used.

4. Have fun, planning a big family vacation in June, enjoy the kids basketball and being the coach, have fun going with friends to Canton Texas in April just enjoy all the things and not just looking forward to events but enjoy the events along the way.

5. Be more assertive. Dont worry that I am not saying yes to someone that someone might be mad at me for not doing something for them. Take a stand say yes to things that I want to help with but not things that will in turn make me crazy with time constraints and so on.

Welcoming in the New Year

We stayed up till midnight...barely...but we made it.
Our friends Adria and Erich came over with their kids Brinnlee and Noah.

Here is a pic of the kids in their New Year Hats and Horns


I am a lousy drinker because I cant stand the taste of anything, I just dont like it. I had bought 3 different things for New Years some Corona for Matt and Adria and then two packs of different kinds of wine coolers for Erich and me. Usually I can do a wine cooler but dont necessarily always like the taste. This time however I found a drink I actually liked. It tastes like a watermelon jolly rancher. Still only made it through one though...LOL. Matt and I will probably have the leftover drinks in the fridge for awhile.
Jack Daniels Watermelon Spike


We played this game it was lots of fun.
Cranium


Matt got his new years kiss and all the kids got to see the ball drop.

2005 in Review

Matt- I think his hardest thing this year is realizing how much the kids are growing up. He has also stated several times this year that he is really beginning to feel old. He continues to grow in his job learning more. He has new goals in place for the year of 2006 for continued growth with the company. This year has found him taking on side projects such as learning more about natural medicine and even becoming a distributor for foot baths that clean the toxins out of your body. His resolutions for 2006 include becoming healthier and get more toned up.

Braden-2005 was a big year for him medically. We discovered more treatment options beyond the standard main medical we began more natural and chiropractic along with mainstream medical. This combination has made a lot of progress for him medically. He went through another surgery. He got glasses. He got a new bedroom no more animal room now we are Army/Airforce crazy. He got to fly an airplane, he got to be VIP at the airforce base. He started 1st grade. His speech continues to improve and he tested out of physical therapy! He lost his first tooth.

Brittney- My little girl has really grown up. I can see so many changes in her personality. She is reading everything and loves to read. She started 2nd grade. The boy craziness has hit hard (way too young). She got a new bedroom as well because she didnt want the baby pink bedroom anymore. Now she has a bright wild bedroom.
She has discovered she really likes basketball. Her dog Rascal was killed and it was so sad. She got a new puppy Nipper but still remembers and talks about Rascal a lot.

Me - I realize trying to remember what all or any of us have done the past year is harder than it should be. I was going to be creative like my friend Anne was on her blog and go month by month but there was no way I could remember something for each month.

As a family we traveled to Arizona for Braden's medical health and had some fun on the way. We visited the Grand Canyon. Matt and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this year. We started planning for our Disney vacation that will take place in 2006 and is bound to be a highlight of next years blog recap. We also traveled to Pennsylvania for a vacation/Matt's business trip. We got to see great sites and visit some friends from when we had lived there when Brittney was a baby. We got to see the Barnum and Baileys Circus. We went camping at Tulsa Zoo.

All in all it has been a busy year in many ways and I look forward to the coming year!

A blessing in disguise

About 3 weeks ago we found out that Braden's speech therapist would be getting a new job and leaving in just a few days. She had been seeing Braden for 2 years and he was very comfortable with her. I was worried.

The owner of the company is who we were originally referred to but she was so busy she doesnt take new kids. Well with this therapist leaving and the fact that she now knew us she decided to take Braden.

She warned us that she would be quite different and he wouldnt be playing as much, she also said she would expect more from him but the reward for him and us would be more. For him she has been having him work towards a goal each day he gets $2 towards a $20 Toys R Us card. He got his first one yesterday.

The reward for us is that after only 2 1/2 weeks I see IMPROVEMENT not just a little but WOW CANT BELIEVE HOW MUCH! While I would never say anything bad about his old therapist it is quite apparent that Braden needed pushed harder and is capable of more.

It is so amazing and his intellegibility (ability for others to understand him) is getting so much better it is WONDERFUL. So what we first thought oh no about has definetly turned into a blessing.

Quz..could you pass the US Citizenship Test

You Failed the US Citizenship Test

Oops, you only got 4 out of 10 right!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Reclaiming

I have started the reclaiming of the house after Christmas.

Kids toys are put away and their rooms are organized again....for how long is anybody's guess.

All the decorations have been taken down. Most of the regular everyday items are put back up.

Still so much to do.

Of course since it's me and I always have to do things obsessivly I just cant put things away I have to also clean what was already there. I have totally cleaned out all my kitchen cabinets this morning and I have a huge box for a Spring yard sale in the garage.

I have also been playing with one of my favorite Christmas presents a scrapbook program for my computer. I have made about 12 pages for the kids scrapbooks. I think with this program and using the digital camera I can now catch up on my scrapbooks. Of course lots of old pics to scan too.

One of the kids favorite things has turned out to be just a little stocking stuffer I had picked up at Disney for Braden it was 4 card games disney style Old Maid, Go Fish, War and Crazy Eights. I am glad they like it so much and that all 4 of us can enjoy it. Glad that one of the simpler presents is getting so much play.

I have stalled enough I have several things that are needing attention including the kids.

Christmas Pictures!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful holiday with beautiful memories, lots of family time and of course gifts, gifts and more gifts! Everyone was spoiled including me!


Matt, Me, Brittney and Braden
My dad, mom, me, Matt, Braden and Brittney
My aunt Tonna (my mom's twin), me, mom, and Brittney
All the gifts after my parents had arrived and added to our already
hefty stash of presents!

Matt's dad with Brittney and Braden
Matt's brothers kids Ryan and Sammy, no pics of crazy SIL this time!
Matt's mom with Braden and Brittney

About to be snug in their beds

Kids in their matching Mickey Christmas PJ's. Yard is sprinkled with our special mixture (oats for the reindeer and glitter so Santa can see our house). My parents and aunt left a little while ago and that round of presents (it was a very big round of presents) are mostly put in their spot or at least sort of put in a spot. Matt and I will exchange gifts after kids are in bed. Santa will come and I am sure we will be woke early. I am looking forward to it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Getting toys out of the package

I think my uncle summed it up when we were trying to get the kids presents out of the boxes and he said...

"I want whoever is in charge of packaging these things to be in charge of Homeland Security".

It's about the truth so many ties and twists it takes forever. Last year I had actually taken the toys out of the box with all the twists and plastic then replaced it in the box and all the kids did was open and whala toy was ready. This year I didn't do that and neither did Santa so there will be a lot of frustration for us in the morning too.

One down....

The festivities started tonight with Matt's dad, his mom, his brother his wife and their 2 kids coming over.

Matt picked up his mom early and she visited for a few hours, his dad was next, BIL and SIL were 45 minutes late which drives me insane but oh well.

It went better than I expected and better than past times have gone. A few comments that I had to bite my tounge but other than that not too bad.

I dread it every time so it is nice that it is behind us.

Tommorow evening is my parents, aunt, brother his girlfriend (who is a lot closer to my mom's age but oh well) and her youngest son (she has one son 5 years younger than my brother!). I have only met her briefly so should be enlightening to say the least. The new girlfriend plus my mom being on edge about the whole situation should make it interesting.

I am most looking forward to tommorow evening after kids have gone to bed and Matt and I exchange gifts and have time to ourselves in front of the tree. I dont think it will be cold enough for a fire but the tree lights should be nice. I am also really looking forward to the kids on Christmas morning!

Well one family gathering down and no blood shed so that is a good start to the holiday festivities.

3 Days Left

This is my crafty Christmas present for Brittney. Goes with her new cool room. Of course I couldn't wait and I had to hang it in her room already. It doesnt look as big in the pic put it is about as wide as her twin headboard. I also did a small wooden sign for her door that says "Girls Rule" of course now Braden wants one that says "Boys Rule".

I got the last minute shopping done today. After finding out my brother was bringing his girlfriend (who I have met once) and her 9 year old son. Got both them a few little things. Did the grocery shopping for candy making (tommorow is the day for that).

So tommorow if I can get the wrapping of the latest gifts done and the baking done I will be happy.

Christmas festivities start on Friday evening, because Matt's SIL (I call her his because she is nuts and so I dont claim her..lol) had to change our plans. But that's okay the kids are getting a cool gift from Matt's dad and it will keep them entertained on Saturday so I dont hear "can we open presents" quite as much that day.

Impatient

I am ready for Christmas.

I can't wait to see the kids reactions to their gifts. I want to see Matt all excited about his gifts (I got him a surprise he isn't expecting).

The countdown has been on all month by the kids but now I am joining in. I am ready!

Of course my house isnt spic and span as I want it, I have one thing I want to exchange, a last minute gift to get for my aunt, and Christmas candy to make....so I guess I am glad there is still 5 days left.

How did that slip my mind.

Friday at the class parties I was talking to the kids Sunday school teacher and she reminded me that this Sunday was the kids Christmas program at church and just have them wear Christmas clothes that they werent doing tshirts or anything this year.

I was like okay that is fine Brittney would wear her Christmas dress and Braden black jeans and a dress shirt.

Then this morning I start thinking about getting stuff around for tomorrow, and oops no Christmas dress for Brittney.

How the heck did something that important slip by me.

I had bought her several cute Christmas leggings outfits at Target and a Christmas sweater so I guess I had thought I had done the Christmas clothes shopping. Didn't even dawn on me that I hadn't bought her a Christmas dress. I looked through her closet and not a thing that could be used for Christmas she had a shirt that is shiny and silver but no skirts. I even drug down the keepsake box because I keep all her Christmas dresses but alas she has grown way too much and no way was last years going to fit.

Too WalMart I ran.....that was my second mistake (first being forgetting to get her an appropriate outfit). WalMart was CRAZY! Crazy I tell you it was totally nuts. As for selection in the girls department it was nil and I had no desire to go any further into town on a dress hunt.

End outfit is a pair of cute black dress pants with rhinestone buttons down the front in two rows her silky silver shirt and to jazz it all up I bought several little rhinestone barrettes to go in her hair. Not what I usually do, which normally is all out months in advance, but she will look very pretty and she likes it because it looks like an "older girl" outfit and not a baby outfit.

I wonder what else I have forgot this Christmas season.....scary to even think about it.

Yippee

I am done wrapping!

I so detest wrapping and it took ALL morning I repeat ALL morning.

Going overboard is an understatement. I will justify it by saying I start really early, watch prices and clearance shop.

Needless to say kids will be more spoiled.

I really cant wait to see their faces. I am so excited about some of the goodies we were able to get them.

I am also so excited to be ALL DONE wrapping. I have dreaded and put this off for over 2 weeks. I keep seeing it on my to do list but kept skipping it. Now I can mark it off for the year.

Yippee

Tragedies

So many tragedies happen in our world everyday some to those we know others to those we hear about. All touch us but some in that way where you just have to help. This story on Brighton's blog did that to me, it made me want to help.
http://brightonandbear.blogspot.com/
Read the story and if you would like to help use the paypal address on her site even if it is just $1.00.
I know that people have helped us so much with difficulties with medical issues with Braden and this story just tore at my heart and I felt I had to help.
If you cant donate then please pray for the family and all they have to cope with.

Overboard

It was going to be a thankful and grateful Christmas but a little slim on physical things.

Then I received a Christmas bonus that was unexpected. I did the grown up thing and paid some on bills, but after that I have went...........you guessed it....OVERBOARD.

Oh well, I love doing it and I am excited.

I bought the neatest thing for Brittney today, she had been wanting a video camera. Well no way for an 8 year old. Well a friend of mine told me about the new VCam for kids. A digital videorecorder/camera made and geared for kids. It was $78 and is suppose to be pretty indestructible. The best thing I know Brittney will think it is the greatest thing ever.

So yes we have went a little overboard, but I love it and am so grateful I can do it. As for Braden his big gift is a First Act Electric Guitar (oh my ears).

As for hubby...I got some cool things too....but I wont tell them here...(LOL I know you were hoping sweetie but I am smarter than that).

So overboard I will go on decorating, on presents, on food and on the wonderful spirit of Christmas!

Holiday Getting to Know Me!

Welcome to the 2005 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends!
Here's mine................
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate.....yummy Egg Nog...gaggy
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Dear sweet Santa has everything out of the boxes and set up ready for them to play as soon as they wake up their sleepy mom and dad!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White is on the tree, but I like lots of colors too just wasnt the kind of tree we bought but I so love the prelit tree I dont care that it is all white my oranments color it up.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes
5. When do you put your decorations up? Day after Thanksgiving if I have to wait that long I try to sneak it a few days before if we aren't having company for Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? yeast rolls
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? My dad could not wait till Christmas morning we would barely be in bed (now I know it was just enough time for them to set out the presents) we might just be dozing off and then dad would come in our rooms and say hey I think I heard something lets go check if Santa has come. My mom told me he was worse than a kid. Never once growing up did we wait till Christmas morning it was always about 11pm or about 30 minutes after being put to bed and we would be dragged out of bed to the living room. Not me I make the kiddos wait!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth? I believe! LOL!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We do our exchanges with Matt's family the morning of Christmas Eve, and then in the evening my family. Then after kids are in bed Matt and I exchange and have quiet time.
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? Chocolate chip cookies and a Pepsi!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!
12. Can you ice skate? I'm not too good but I can stay on my feet unless of course I have a kid hanging on me then sometimes I unbalance.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmmmm....I cant narrow it. I know I loved getting my diary as a little girl and as a grown up Matt gave me a bracelet of italian charms that I love.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family and sharing the magic with the kids.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Chocolate Pie
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eve get together with my family and eat appetizer/finger foods it is fun.
17. What tops your tree? A snowman (they invade at Christmas time they are EVERYWHERE in our house)
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Giving. But I do like to recieve too!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Silent Night for serious and for a laugh Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum

Bump in the Night

The bump or the bam...that was me.

Here's a tip....Dont put a basket of things in the front entry way so you wont forget it in the morning, and then forget it when you are walking in the dark to put a glass in the kitchen.

As you have already figured out over the basket I went and boom onto the ceramic tile.

Swollen bruised knee and a list of complaints to whine about are the outcome of my late night walk to the kitchen.

Basketball Fun?

Because I dont have enough to do or because I am a gluton for punishment I have decided to coach basketball.

What was suppose to be coaching my daughter's team evolved to me having two teams to coach. Which was fine because that way Braden would be on an age appropriate team (they were going to let him play with Brittney's team) but I figure this would work.

I thought this was going to be fun but already I can see some of these coaches are out for blood.

My assistant coach (I drag my friends with me when I get suckered into something...Im good like that) and I decided to do one practice a week. Forty five minutes for each team. Then our games will be on Saturdays. For a Kindergarten/First grade team and a second grade team I thought that was plenty.

Well another coach calls this morning they are practicing there kids two nights a week for 45 minutes each time and on Saturdays when there is no games.

What gets me is some of these coaches are like drill sargents and are yelling and screaming and things must be this way and they want their teams to play this and that.

It is suppose to be fun....a sport...a way for the kids to learn...but games haven't even started and I think it is going to be a headache.

Who is your inner sexy cartoon chick!

I dont know about this being sexy, but I took the test twice and even switched a few answers and still got good old Wilma!


Wilma Flintstone

Who 's Your Inner Sexy Cartoon Chick ?
brought to you by

Smart or Smart Alleck?

I was helping Braden study for his spelling test. He gets a list of 10 words each week.

I numbered his paper 1 thru 10 for him and called him in. I was doing other stuff in the kitchen and called out the word. I called out the first and he was like "Mom that is not the first one". I told him I was mixing up the order. We argued back and forth and so finally he said "Fine".

So I skipped around giving him the 8th word on the list 1st, the 3rd one on the list 2nd and so on.

I go to look at his paper afterwards and little smart alleck had put all the words in perfect order as they were on his list. Instead of when I called it out as number 1 he knew it was 8th so he put it down in that spot.

So either I brag on his great memory or wonder what I did to deserve a 6 year old smart alleck.

Aren't They Cute!

My big boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brittney posing showing all that pretty hair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gift wrapping...

I have decided gift wrapping is evil...why cant we just put everything in one big black trashbag and rip into it Christmas morning...that sounds like a good idea to me!

Maybe it is because today I have been trying to get ahead on the Christmas preparations in between fighting the dreaded cold I have come down with, taking care of Braden with his cold, and lysoling the entire house.

If it wasnt such a pain I would load it all up and take it to the mall and have the wonderful good chairty of Make a Wish wrap it for me but that would be as much of a pain as wrapping it myself.

But alas we do have some wrapped gifts now, the bad news is lots more left to wrap including classroom gifts (20 for each class plus teachers and exchange gifts). But I have been thinking and all gifts going to school should really be wrapped by the kids to make it more personal (good thinking on my part I thought). Same goes for presents to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc....who cares about child labor laws I think my kids will be good present wrappers.

A giving tradition

Today we went out for some family time.

First stop was the angel tree at the mall. Brittney has said for at least a month that for part of her Christmas she wanted to get an angel off of the tree.

Brittney is my give the shirt off her back kid, Braden is my I will give you 50 cents and only charge you 10 cents in interest.

Imagine my surprise when we were picking an angel off the tree and Braden piped up that he wants to do one too. I told him it would require using some of his money (Matt and I were paying for most of it but thought that Brittney could put $10 of her money in as well). His response "how much of my money". I told him not much and he was okay with it and wanted his own angel.

We picked a 4 year old girl Kristalbell and a 4 year old boy James. We really had fun picking out 2 outfits a piece, package of underwear, socks, shoes and some toys. We didnt spend a whole lot but I think all four of us had fun with it and I hope it instills some of the real Christmas spirit in the kids.

You get to keep the top part of the angel so I wrote the name of our angel on the card part and the year so that maybe we can do this every year and remember the angels the kids have bought for in the past and so on. The kids both proudly took their bags back to the Salvation Army tree and gave to the workers. I hope this to be a memory and tradition to keep. I know it made me feel good and both kids said they loved it as well.

27 days till Christmas. I believe I am all done shopping now....just have to do ALOT of wrapping now.

Day After Sales

Even a sore throat and a crick in my neck couldn't keep me away from Black Friday sales. I was one of those silly people out at 5am this morning shopping. Luckily my hubby doesnt mind going along and helping me. It is a Thanksgiving tradition everyyear my dad keeps the kids and hubby, my mom and myself go out. Matt usually teams up with my mom and hits WalMart first while I hit some of the other early to open stores.

I had a few things to pick up for others (people who wanted the bargain but didn't want to sacrifice their sleep).

I didn't get as much this year as I have in the past. Didn't seem to be the good sales that there usually are.

My hubby met the most diehard shopper while he was waiting in line at Hastings which didn't open till 8am he stood next to a guy who had taken his cot, laptop, hot chocolate and camped outside of bestbuy the night before so he could get a good deal...that is just a little too hard core shopping for me.

29 days till Christmas.

I am pretty much done with my shopping. This morning hubby picked up a few things he needed ( for me that I dont know yet...drats). I picked up one last thing for the kids and some very good deals on clothes for the kiddos.

We met up with my dad the kids and the rest of my extended family (the ones that wanted the bargains but didn't want to get up) at IHOP for breakfast.

Then hubby the kids and I came home. Kids have watched a box set of season 1 and 2 of Scooby Doo (the original cartoon) all day. Matt picked it up at Hastings. I love that they like it instead of some of these newer cartoons.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and Great Day After!

Thanksgiving

I was tagged so here goes....

Things I am Thankful for......
10 Serious
1. My family
2. My friends and especially neighbors that we love and trust to take care of things.
3. My faith
4. My house
5. My sons doctors who know how to help him
6. My sons progress how far he has come and how wonderful he is
7. My daughter being such a thoughtful and wonderful child
8. My husband who is my rock who I would not be sane without
9. My computer because through it I learn things, and I have met people that I truly consider friends, I can vent through it and share joys through it.
10. My life and the fact that I have so many things to be thankful for that I could go on and on.

10 not so serious.......
11. A sweater and jeans to wear on Thanksgiving that hide that I havent lost the weight I wanted to.
12. That my hubby is the one that has to climb into the attic and get down 21 rubber maid boxes of Christmas.
13. That my hubby doesnt even complain about number 12.
14. That my laundry is almost done from the trip.
15. That my mom is making 6 chocolate pies for Thanksgiving...yummy
16. That hubby is off all week and I get to make long honey do lists for him!
17. That hubby gave the dogs a bath last night so they dont smell anymore.
18. That I am almost done with my Christmas shopping.
19. That the day after Thanksgiving sales will be here soon!
20. That I have a computer!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Santa is coming in 35 days!

I was going to wait till after Thanksgiving to post this pic but I couldnt wait it is too cute!
35 days till Christmas!

Home Again!

Home!

Braden is doing so good. Still a little broke out from a reaction to the tape over the site on the neck. But we are home!

Matt is off work all next week because we didn't know how long we would be there.

Now 9 loads of laundry to do but it is still so good to be home.

Bounce Back Boy

Did something happen to Braden yesterday? Was he not so sick we thought we might could lose him?....well if he was no signs of it this morning.

Up and ready to go to you guessed it Toys R Us.

Dont know yet if that will happen but so good to see him up and jumping around like a happy boy! No fever, no lingering anything he is just raring to go.

Now if I could just cover those gray hairs this whole experience has caused!

Very Thankful and a few gray hairs

Braden's procedure started out fine they came out and told me everything was going as scheduled. 20 minutes later there was a code on my pressure boy. His heart and blood pressure had bottomed due to crossing over a pathway in the brain that controls the heart when they were removing the mass. He recovered (he is a fighter) and now I just want to hug him and hold him FOREVER. His EKG afterwards and MRI both looked good. I just want to crawl in bed and hold him but I think I have been smothering him since he woke up. He has no clue how close we came and I am glad for that. His first coherent words were "I want to go to Toys R Us for my prize". So we have yet another wonderful blessing to celebrate....and I also think I have a few gray hairs from the not so good parts of this.

A little fun in the water before tommorow

We made it to Texas, we are right across from the hospital. We decided to sneak in some fun before our early morning call to surgery with Braden. I will update when I can!

I should be...

Packing that is what needs done along with about 15 other things on the to do list.

But I dont want to!

I am avoiding!

We leave tommorow at noon for Braden's procedure. Will also get to visit with some family so that is good.

Now if I could just get motivated to get things done....but its not happening. I am usually such an organized person but I tell you here lately it is just not happening.

I am thinking of chunking it all for tonight and waiting till tommorow morning and throwing it all together.

Up Up and Away

Little History...Braden is having a procedure done next Thursday on his brain. I had mentioned to my friend Laurie (she just got out of the air force reserves) that Braden loves airplanes. She set up two special treats for us and we did the first one today. Brittney, Braden and I (Matt had a meeting he couldn't get out of) got to go up in an airplane for a city tour. Braden even got to take the controls which Brittney sweats is what made her stomach upset! Here are some pics from our adventures. Monday night is the next treat where Braden will be VIP at the airforce base for night flights, get to sit in the simulator and much more.

Braden and our pilot Laurie's friend Stephen whose call name is "Cletus"
Arieal view of the kids school
Arieal virew of our housing district we are in the top row thrid house from the left.
Brittney ready to take off
Braden in the co pilot seat
Braden ready to go.
Brittney and Braden before take off
Braden ready to go!

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

I got this from http://whatssonmymind.blogspot.com/ "Anne's Blog". I have been in a blogging funk so I needed something to do.

10 Favorites…
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Band/Singer: Faith Hill/Tim McGraw
Favorite Hobby: Reading
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Favorite Season: Summer
Favorite Day of the Week: Sunday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Rocky Road
Favorite Time of Day: Morning

9 Currents…
Current Mood: Tired
Current Clothes: Jeans and a gray disney tshirt
Current Underwear Color: Pink
Current Desktop Picture: Island Scene
Current Nail Color: None
Current Time: 6:38 p.m.
Current Surroundings: my bedroom
Current Annoyances: Finally got cable back on about 10 minutes ago because more houses are being built behind us and once again they cut the cable with their digging!
Current Thoughts: I have to get to WalMart tommorow

8 Firsts…
First Best Friend: DeeDee
First Screen Name: kelcole
First Pet: Daisy an Australlian Sheppard
First Tattoo: No tattoos
First Crush: Jose in 2nd grade
First Music Group: I think it was Kool and the Gang WAY BACK
First Car: 1990 Grand Am Blue

7 lasts
Last Cigerette: Never smoked
Last Drink: Don't drink
Last Time on Drugs: Never
Last Kiss: About 3 hours ago
Last Movie Watched: Herbie
Last CD Played: Gretchen Wilson's new one
Last thing bought: Marshmellows

6 Have You Evers…
Have you ever dated one of your best friends? Yes
Have you ever broken the law? Yes (speeding in case you were wondering which law...I know bad me)
Have you ever been arrested? No
Have you ever skinny dipped? Yes
Have you ever been on television? Yes
Have you ever kissed someone you didn’t know? No

5 Places You’ve Been…
Pheonix, AZ
San Antonio, TX
Bindloch, Germany
Fort Riley, Kansas
Philadelphia, PA

4 People You Can Tell Anything To…
Matt
Adria
Christy
Anne

3 things you can hear right now:
Hubby and son making sword fighting noises
clicking of my keyboard
TV

3 things you can’t live without:
Family,
Friends
Love

3 things you do when you’re bored:
Read
Computer
Clean

2 Choices…
Black or white: black
Hot or cold: hot

1 Thing You Want To Do Before You Die…
Go on a cruise!

Tank tops for Thanksgiving?

It is 84 degrees. We have been out working in the yard in shorts!

It is NOVEMBER! What is with this weather?

I have a really cute Thanksgiving sweater but if this keeps up I may have to check into festive Thanksgiving tank tops!

Do Si Do

Hold hands, bow to your partner, to the left.......

Square dancing....Never have we done this before.

Today our daugther's friend turned 8 and the mom planned a ho down in a barn. They taught the kids square dances. After the kids attention span had been stretched the guy decided to grab some parents and teach some square dancing. It was actually quite fun.

Of course both hubby and I kept getting our right and left hands mixed up and that is quite important in square dancing.

Luckily the video cameras had been put up, there are a few pics of the teaching but all in all it was fun for the kids and adults and hey we tried something new so that is always a plus!

Below is a pic of the kids in their party garb.