Saturday, December 31, 2005

So Late for me!!!

I can't believe how late it is for me...but I feel like I need to journal before I go to bed! I have done that nearly every night of my vacation!!!

So...this morning...got up and went to the gym. KK met me there and we had a blast! I know you guys are saying...yeah right...but we really did. We had a personal trainer with us today and she has a British accent and we kept calling her the Nanny...cuz she was bossy in a very sweet way. We had an audience because we were having so much fun!

So then....I picked up the kids at my MIL's house....and then we came home. We didn't really do a whole lot today! I am making a scarf for myself! Imagine that!!! I love it...it is a little thick/wide...but will be great for warmth! I really think it is pretty! I can't remember the last time I made a scarf for myself!

Umm...I watched some of the Phantom of the Opera today...but then decided that a nap was a better idea! So, I dozed until the kids woke up. Then when Hubby came home from work we went to Cici's for dinner. That was yummy. Then Hubby and I-Man went to a b-ball game while FAB and I did a little shopping! We got some more stuff for the party tomorrow night and I got a few very cheap purses at Meijer....and that was about it!

When FAB and I came home, I hung up my new pictures of the kids and also hung a mirror above the piano. I love it!!! Then Hubby and I watched "Cinderella Man". That was a very good movie. They could've shortened some of the boxing scenes...but overall it was a very, very good movie!

Well...don't know if I will post tomorrow night or not. But you all have a very Happy New Year and a safe one too!!! I love you all and look forward to our friendships growing even more in 2006!

Love and prayers to all!!!!

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Cute Movie!

Hello Journal Goddesses! Yet another wonderful day of vacation! I got up this morning and rushed I-Man through his breakfast and out the door to the gym. KK didn't show up AGAIN. Oh wait....I took both I-Man and FAB. She had her "work-out" outfit on that FIL and Step MIL got her. It is so stinking cute! So...anyways...we all went to the gym and I had to work out by myself because KK still had a migraine. Hopefully she will be there in the morning!

So, after the gym...we went to GFS (I cannot believe that I really went into the public looking the way that I did...but with both kids...it was easier to just stay out instead of going home and taking a shower and fixing my hair and going out again...) and got stuff for our little New Year's Eve party. Then we went to Payless and bought I-Man a new pair of gym shoes. We FINALLY agreed on a pair..and they were on sale! Cool!

Then we came home and just took it easy the rest of the day! My mom came over and helped me finish MY scarf. It does fit me! I think I am going to add a toggle button...I bought one tonight...I just need to figure out how to put it on there (I mean the loop part...not the button). SO, my first project is complete!!! Yeah Me! Then the kids took naps...I finished my mom's scarf....and we just took it easy!

Hubby came home and we took the kids over to his MIL's house. She was watching them tonight! Then Hubby and I went to dinner at Max & Erma's (I had a gift certificate). We FINALLY got seated (after a much longer wait then we were told...their dishwasher was broke so they were not able to have clean dishes...how funny) and we sat down right next to Roomie, PC, Bowler and Pepto! How funny!!! Pepto looked very pretty and happy...so hope that is a good sign! We didn't talk very much...they all seemed a little uncomfortable to see us...probably cuz we are old fogies!

Then we went to Joanne's so I could get my toggle button...and of course I had to buy one skien of yarn. Then we went to Kohl's. We had some free money to spend there. I got a new pair of gym shoes. That is pretty exciting! Then we went and saw "See Dick and Jane" or whatever it was called. It was a cute movie. Kinda reminds you a little bit of "Liar, Liar". I liked it. And now we are home! What an exciting day....just kidding!

Hope you are all doing well! Tomorrow promises to be another exciting day! Love and prayers to all!

BTW...I got the BEST chocolate chip cookies at Max & Ermas! yummy! I am REALLY going to get back on Weight Watchers next week....that will suck but I SO need to get back on track! The gym only does so much good when I keep stuffing my face with junk!

Love to all!!!!!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Sewing......for Dummies!

If anyone sees that book...I need it! YIKES!

Today was another great vacationy day! I got up this morning and headed to the gym. KK couldn't meet with me because she had a migraine...so I went by myself! Love going to they gym..love, love, love! A great way to start my day!

So then I came home and showered and did stuff around here (laundry, dishes, cleaning, organizing, banking-on-line, etc.). I kept pretty busy waiting for my mom and the kids to come home. So, when my mom got here, she looked at houses on-line and then we decided to tackle my sewing project! So...we threaded the bobbin and the needle and then I practiced sewing on a pillow case. That was easy! My machine does some really cool stitches! So, that was fun. Mom had to run back to her house to get the straight pins she had bought for me.

Little side-note....Hubby and I-Man bought me pink sweatbands (2 of them) with silver crosses on them for Christmas. I am hoping you are all getting a good laugh out of that...I certainly did! It is the thought that counts...but I am not a "sweat-band kinda girl". I asked Hubby why he didn't get me leg-warmers to match?!?!? He was offended. Again...it is the thought that counts. Well....I found a good use for those today! They were a make-shift pin-cushion until I buy one of those...hehhheheheh. I crack myself up!

Okay...so we cut the pattern out.....I started sewing. Something went wrong. The silky lining was not easy to work with. It kept moving and therefore making my seam off-kilter. But....we pushed on. Well, we didn't do a very good job of reading the pattern....we thought we were done....we were excited....and then we realized...we had missed a step! SO, my mom took it home to tear out some stitches. She will bring it back tomorrow to finish. Here is the real bummer, though. Because my seams are so screwy.....the vest doesn't fit me! So, my first project is going to actually be for my mom!!!!!!!!!!!!! I might have to take her picture in it so that I can at least show people my first project! She is excited because she kinda picked out the material...so she loves it! It actually is not me anyways.....oh well!

So, I think I am going to make a quilt! My mom said that it would actually not be that hard. Just make a bunch of squares and then sew them together....so I might do that. We'll see! The good news is that I now know how to use my sewing machine! I can hem pants and stuff which is what I really needed it for anyways! Minnie has the right idea to do curtains first...that is probably a much easier project!!!

Anyways...it was fun to work with my mom on that project today! I just love spending time with her! She is probably getting sick of me and the kids...we have spent quite a bit of time with her over the last few weeks!

FAB is doing the cutest thing. She got a Dancing Dora for Christmas...she sings and dances and is very cute. Well...she does a ballerina dance. And if you tell FAB to be a ballerina she takes your hands and then puts one leg up on the other like a little ballerina! It is so stinking cute! She is such a happy baby...I just love her!

And I-Man has had so much fun with his V-Tech V-Smile. We bought an extra controller so when his friends come over now (Pretty!) they can both play the games!!!

Well...the rest of my day was pretty boring! I just watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Not really my kinda movie...too much violence! But Brad Pitt is HOT! And I just started and am already half-way done with my mom's white scarf! I ended up buying a different yarn. That expensive stuff is too hard to knit by itself...and too thick for my mom when I put it with something else. She is too picky!!!

Hope you all are having a good week!!! I will talk to you all soon and am praying for you! Love you lots!!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Loving Vacation!!!!

Gotta tell ya...I am loving being on vacation!!!! We slept in until about 8:30 this morning...that is when I-Man came in and told me he was hungry for breakfast. I swear that kid thinks about food ALL THE TIME! Cuz as soon as he was done with breakfast he wanted to know when and what was for lunch?!?!? Goofy kid!

So, I-Man and I left after he ate breakfast and met KK and her son at the gym. I-Man and L-Man hung out in the nursery together. They are so funny....they never really talk to each other..just play together. Funny boys! SO, KK and I worked out and laughed and had a good time. We are meeting there again every day this week!!! COOL!

After that, I went and picked up FAB at my mom's house and then we came home. I decided when I walked in the door that I was ready for the Christmas tree to come down. SO! I did just that! I took down the tree and put it all away. Hubby thinks I am crazy...but I was sick of the mess!!! And...we are having company for New Years and thought it would give us more room to have the tree down! I still have all my snowman stuff up...and our lights are still outside...but my tree is down!!! Then I swept (vacuumed) the whole house....then jumped in the shower!

Minnie and her family came over today. We always exchange gifts for our kids...so that was nice. She got FAB some more Weebles...and I was just saying we needed more! How cool! And they got I-Man some more dinosaurs. He was so excited! They stayed and visited for a while....their girls are so cute and sweet! It was good to visit with them. She got a sewing machine for Christmas too...aren't we just a couple of old ladies!!!!

Speaking of my sewing machine...my mom is coming over tomorrow to show me how to use it and help me get started on my vest! I am so excited! In the pattern kit that I bought...it has like 3 different styles of ponchos...so you might get one of those HBM! If you are a good friend and nice to me...just kidding!!! :)

So...after they left, Hubby went to work for a bit and the kids both went down for naps. I watched part of a movie and made plans with KK and Noey...another friend from work...to go out to dinner. So, I took the kids to my mom's house (they are going to spend the night there) and then went to dinner with the girls. We had a nice time...but I can only take so much of Noey because she is very negative!

Then KK and I went to Kohl's and looked around for a bit and then sat in their parking lot and talked and knitted....I had to show her how to do it again! Hopefully she got the hang of it!
Then I dropped her off and came home! I have my sewing machine out of the box and ready to go for tomorrow....I can't figure out how to thread the bobbin or the needle....so I hope that isn't a sign of what is yet to come! At least I look very domestic...with it set up and everything!!!!

Well...hope you are all doing well! I am off to finish that movie I started watching earlier and try to make a scarf for my mom. I bought some expensive and cool yarn to do it with...but I am having a really hard time getting going on it!!

Love and hugs to all!!!!!

Monday, December 26, 2005

Ahh......Organization!

Okay...so, Hi....My name is Missy and I am anal! Or..."How do you spell anal retentive again?" Hubby is wishing he didn't marry such an anal woman today! OH well! He still loves me! One of the things about Christmas that frustrates me is the mess and un-organization once we open all the "stuff". Everything has a place...and it needs to be in that place! So, we are getting there! Not done yet...but getting there!!!

Today was a fun day! We got to sleep in until about 8:00 today...that was so nice! Then we got up and I cleaned out FAB's drawers....Hubby cleaned out his part of our closet cuz it was a mess. And he straightened the garage up today. My mom and sister came over for a bit and then the girls (so no Hubby or I-Man) went shopping. We were going to return some things at Kohl's...but the line was unbelievably long...so we just shopped instead and will return the stuff later! Then we went to lunch at O'Charleys...yummy! Then to the Hobby Lobby and I bought the stuff for my first sewing project. I bought a package of patterns for all kinds of things (a poncho was one of the things!!!) and some fabric. I am going to make a lined vest...and the vest is going to be a leopard print! I am hoping to do it this week when my mom is here for my first project. I made a jumper when I was in junior high...but I haven't sewn since then. This should be interesting!!!

After we went shopping we came home and my sister and mom went to my mom's house. JJ went home....I hated that she didn't stay longer...but I know she needed to get home after being gone most of last week and she is having quite a bit of company this weekend! So, I went to the gym...and then over to my mom's house for a bit with the kids.

Then I came home and talked to Pepto and that is it! Not a very exciting day...but just so nice to not be at work....so nice! I did check my voicemail once today...but no messages!

SO! Hope you are all doing well! This should be a low-key week! I am going to the gym again tomorrow and then maybe I can talk my mom into coming over here to get started on my first sewing project!

Love and hugs to all!!! I am not in a very "talk-ative" mood tonight! Love you!!!!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a WONDERFUL holiday!!! I know that we did! Let me get to that in a moment...I feel the need to update since I last wrote!

Friday...was a fun day at work. I worked on the 4th floor with KK...we had a hoot! I taught her to knit for the second time...hopefully she will get the hang of it! I ended up leaving early and running to Wal-Mart to get a few last minute things. That place was a ZOO! Then I came home and we headed back out a bit later to my cousin's b-ball game. We had a good time. They lost...but it was fun to watch him play. He looks just like my dad did at his age. It is hard to believe that this boy used to be the baby I played with and loved so much. He has just grown up so fast! I am very proud of him. I got to see JJ for a bit....she just doesn't seem like herself...but it had been a very rough week for them...very rough!

Saturday...we got up...oh, the kids stayed at my parents' house...so we got to sleep in! Yeah us! Then we got up and Hubby went and got the kids. We got busy cooking..Hubby and I together! It was fun! The kids did pretty good. Buford came over for a bit. He wanted to look at something on-line. Then he sat and talked to me while I was cooking. It was very nice to be able to spend so much time just talking to him! That doesn't happen very often! For those of you who know what a manly...and goofy...man he is. It brought me to tears when he was crying as he was talking about the loss of his Aunt. In his words...."he buried a mother this week and that was very hard." My heart goes out to that family. At any rate, it was really nice to talk to him...and I think it was good for him too! And he kept me company while I was cooking and Hubby was fiddling with the kiddos! After that...we went to my parent's house for our Family Christmas! We had a very yummy lunch/dinner and opened gifts. It was a very nice time. I got some great gifts...Sister made me two really pretty slates and two beautiful necklaces and one pretty bracelet! I love her homemade gifts the best! Also, my mom bought me a sewing machine!!! And a bag of cool yarn...and needles and a needle bag! I had a great Christmas!!! After that....my other sister and her 3 gorgeous children came. It was so much fun! I-Man was a little high-strung...but what kid isn't at Christmas! FAB was tired....so, we left to go to Aunt Beautiful's for our Family Christmas. The kids both fell asleep on the way...which helped to put them both in very good moods for the evening! We had a BLAST with all the family. The kids all did very well together...including the husbands :). We just had a wonderful time! When we left there, I-Man watched for Santa out the window the whole way home. He didn't see him. We got home and put both kids right to bed. Santa came...and then we went to bed too!!!

Sunday....I got up pretty early and got all ready for church...and then we woke up the kids. They were both so cute. I-Man was very sweet and loved everything he got. He just loved opening presents! FAB still doesn't quite have the hang of it...but she loved all she got too. The Weeble Tree House is a hit with both of them! I should've bought more Weebles! SO, then we went to church...that was nice....and then we came home. We made breakfast casserole and had "brunch" with MIL, SIL #2, FIL, Step-MIL and my mom. It was nice, actually! Other than FIL is a jerk.....well, they were supposed to be here at 12:00. At 12:30 he called and said they wouldn't be there until later. Hubby was very upset because we had gone to all the trouble to make enough food for them (and had to alter the recipe a bit for step-mil). His dad must've heard his frustration on the phone and they came right over. Well...then when it was present time....he gave I-Man and FAB presents...and then HE gave Hubby and SIL #2 money envelopes. There was nothing for me. He did the SAME THING last year. Well, then step-mil hands me a card and gives me a hug. She had given me a gift card.....and the card was signed by only her. Hubby asked his Dad what he gave me and he told Hubby that he was welcome to share his money with me. Hubby asked him why he didn't give me any and FIL said that I wasn't "family". Interesting. I am really trying to not get all bent out of shape about this....because it really isn't about the money...it is the principle of the thing. He really is a jerk sometimes. OH well!!!!

After they all left....we all took naps!!!!!!!!!!!! That was wonderful!!! Then we went to MIl's house and SIL #1 and Beater and SIL #2 were there. It was a very nice evening. Beater is a nice guy....I guess when he isn't beating. They seem pretty happy together. I just came right out and asked them when they were going to get married. They were surprised that I asked. I think they are going to get married in May....since I kept pushing the issue. We'll see.

Well....then we came home and I have been cleaning up from the mess for about 3 hours. I cannot handle the mess!!! This is the time of the year when I start organizing and purging. I am going to purge some of I-Man's toys tomorrow...and FAB's too!

Well...I am sure you are bored with me! This is a long entry...sorry!!! I will be better at posting each day this week! Love you all...hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Friday, December 23, 2005

Food, Family and .....oh yeah, KNITTING

Yipee! Today is my last day of work until January 3rd! Yeah me!!! I am very much looking forward to the time off work. Some of you may not know that I am a work-aholic….I check my voicemail and usually take my laptop home and do email even when I am “on vacation”. I am NOT going to do that this time. Now, I might check my voicemail….but I am NOT going to even take my laptop home! It can all wait for me to get back. I really need a mental break from work! So….I am very excited! Today will probably be a long day because I am so ready for it to be over and it has only just begun! OH well!!!

Let’s see….yesterday was another good day at work. Only had to see Stinky Pete for like 2 minutes…so that equals a good day! I got a lot done! I won’t have to see him at all today…he is “working from home” this morning and then they are flying to Texas for the holidays. So…today should be a good day too!!!

After work I went and picked up the kids and then we went home and just relaxed for about an hour….then we went to dinner with my Dad’s family. It was interesting. It was very good to see them all…especially my Aunt B that has diabetes and has had part of her feet amputated and had a heart-attack since I saw her last. She is such a sweet person. She is a crier like me….and we both cried when we saw each other. Their family lived with our family at one point when we were growing up….they have never been good at taking care of themselves financially. But anyways….it was so nice to see them all. We are going to a basketball game with them tonight too…..my cousin is a junior at a local high school and he is a very good b-ball player. I swear that he looks SO MUCH like pictures of my Dad at that age. He is a good kid….very good kid. He has a 4.9 GPA….star of the b-ball team….but just about as humble as they come. I enjoyed talking to him and his dad last night. My other Aunt….let’s call her Big Aunt….she hasn’t changed a bit. She and her hubby and his son sat at a separate table from the rest of us because she didn’t want to be crowded….and then they left without saying goodbye. Weird. Oh well! And then Uncle M and Aunt S….they are always weird….so that hasn’t changed either. I have a story to tell you about that Queen…..so weird! Only she and Daisy will really get it. But anyways! It was really good to be with his family….I know that it breaks my Dad’s heart that his family is the way they are. They have a lot of “falling outs” and so at least everyone was on good behavior last night. They had never seen FAB….and of course they loved her and she was pretty good with all of them. She especially liked my cousin N…who has grown into such a young lady….I am OLD! So…that was a good night! I am looking forward to spending more time with Aunt B tonight at the game. She knows Preacher and Detergent. They used to preach/live in the town where my Aunt B and her family live. She said that the people around there that knew them really miss them. I said that I know why! We just love them and we are seeing great things happen at our church. Cool…..

So, next topic! Then we came home and I finished another scarf and started another one. Hubby keeps telling me how proud he is of me for sticking with this hobby and actually making presents for other people. He and I-Man spent about 20 – 30 minutes wrapping 2 kinda small presents for me. I guess that I-Man had to “help” a lot. How cute. He has done a very good job of keeping secrets! I am so proud of him! And he has been dry all week! And yes, Josy…we are spreading out the time between when we wake him up. This just might work!!!! PTL…pull-ups are expensive!

Ummm….FAB was so cute in her bed last night. Hubby laid her in her bed with a bottle….and she was propped up on her princess pillow….it is the kind that have arms (used to be called “husband pillows”). Anways…she was just sitting there like a little DIVA and she had her blankey and her doggie that she got from one of Hubby’s cousins. She was just so stinking cute. I just love my kids. I don’t know where they got their good looks from!!!!

So, day 3 of getting up early and going to the gym! I really love starting my day this way! Now…when I am on vacation…not going so early! But I will still probably start my day (just later) that way!

Well…I think that is it for now. Continue to pray for JJ and Buford. I just love my Sister and her Hubby so much….I don’t know what to do for them but I wish I could make the hurt of losing Weezie and everything else that is going on go away! Now I think that JJ will have to work next week, too. So, that is a bummer! I was looking forward to spending some fun time with her next week.

I will try to update tomorrow…but honestly, I don’t know if I will be able to! We have a jam-packed day! I have a lot of cooking I need to do and spending time with my family!

Love to all and Merry CHRISTmas!!!! Your friendship is one of the best Christmas gifts I could ever ask for!!!!!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Our God is an Awesome God

What a day! What a day! Can I just tell you that our God is AWESOME! We serve an amazing God…and He reminds us of that daily! We just have to open our eyes and realize that everyday miracles are right in front of us….WOW!

Yesterday started off as a great day! Like I told you yesterday, I went to the gym in the morning….a really great way to start my day! I went again this morning!!! I am trying to convince KK to get up and go with me…but she is not a morning person. So, we’ll see!

Work was great….very productive! I just got assigned a new task (actually a few weeks ago) but I haven’t had time to really wrap my arms around it. Well, yesterday I did! I put a new system in place to help me stay organized with it and today I can really tackle it! So, that made me feel good! It literally took me all day to get organized with it…but it was time well-spent! Plus I had lunch with KK and that is always fun! I sat and worked on a scarf while we talked…we have such a great time together. I just love her!!! She makes work bearable!!!

After work, I ran to my Aunt’s house to get the kiddos…and then we dashed home. Hubby got home right after us because I was fixin’ to leave to go to the viewing of Aunt Weezie with my parents. So….I noticed that it wasn’t very warm in our house…not cold…but not warm. Then I noticed that the furnace was “running” but not blowing out air. When it did switch to blowing air out..the air wasn’t cold…but it wasn’t hot either. Uh…oh….! I mentioned it to Hubby and he acted in denial….but we realized there was a problem! So, after tinkering with it a bit…my Dad came over (they were coming over to pick me up) and he ran in to look at it. Well, he thought it was the igniter switch and because it is electronic…he couldn’t fix it….nor did we have the time! We had to drive over an hour to get to the viewing. So, we left Hubby and the kids. Hubby called K-Dog to ask him who he recommended that we call….and I told Hubby to call me. Well……..long story short………Hubby found someone to come out…and they weren’t going to charge us any more to come last night versus coming today…and we didn’t want to do without heat over night. The kids were spending the night at my parent’s house, so we would’ve been fine with our space heaters….but still! So! The guy came and I am embarrassed to say the problem was we had waited too long to change our air filter and that caused it to stop working. The most embarrassing part of this is that the SAME THING happened to us at our first house….about the same time too!!!!
But here is the way cool part…..do you remember how I told you we had gotten a check in the mail from his grandpa yesterday? The check was for $100. Well….the bill for the furnace guy was $105…but there was a $5 coupon on our furnace..so it was $100 even!!!!! If that isn’t GOD than I don’t know what is!!! HELLO!?!?!??! I am telling you….God is awesome! He always provides….always! I was with my parents when Hubby called me to tell me how much it was….after I hung up with him…I just looked at my mom and said….that was GOD. She agreed….and then later when I was home with Hubby I told him the same thing and he agreed…..how cool is that?!?!?!

So, that was the excitement at our house last night! Praise the Lord it wasn’t more expensive. The guy did tell Hubby that it wasn’t just because of the air filter….it is also because the furnace is directly across from our dryer…so it probably collects more lint than it should. Lesson learned!!!!

Please continue to lift my sister JJ and Buford up in your prayers. Sister just seems very depressed. I know we were at a viewing last night…but it was more than just that. Call it a “sister intuition” but I can tell that she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders right now. She needs plenty of prayers…I hate to see her hurt. And Buford too…..this is very, very tough for them. His Aunt was a great person…..she included Buford in her will as if he were her son. That is just the way she treated him her entire life….she was certainly more of a mother to him than his mom….and she even had custody of him. They found his custody papers with the will. Dear God, please protect this family and surround them with Your love. Give JJ and Buford a sense of Your peace and help them to be Your example to all of their family during this hard time. It is very hard as a wife to see your Hubby hurt so deeply. So, please pray for them, especially today as they go through the funeral.

I am starting to panic about all the things that I don’t have done for Christmas! I finished a scarf yesterday and got a good start on another one. But I really need to go to the grocery and figure out what I am making for Christmas Eve and how/when to make the casserole for brunch on Sunday…..AHHHH! So much to do…..so little time!

We are having dinner with my Dad’s family tonight. Most of them haven’t even seen FAB. We live about 20 minutes away from each other and never see each other. His family is weird…..they are very jealous of the money my parents have and they think that my parents should just hand it all over to them. Part of that stems from the fact that my Dad has a heart of gold….much like his mother…and he has given them so much in the past. Instead of being grateful, they just keep putting their hands out. So…..we haven’t “done Christmas” with them for the past 2 years…..so, we are going out to dinner tonight. It will be interesting, I am sure!

Well…better get to work! Love and hugs to all! Merry CHRISTmas. Hug your loved ones today and tell them how much you love them. You just never know! And remember what AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Ramblings of me....

Well…life is busy right now…but good! Very good! Yesterday was a good day at work…I only had to see Stinky Pete for a little while…and KK was with me…so it wasn’t that bad! It has actually been a very productive week at work! I am getting caught up and a lot of things done…..which is a great thing! I am so jazzed about being on vacation next week! Can’t wait!!! Especially since it sounds like my mom and sister are going to be here for part of the week! That is very cool! I just love spending time with them! (((Hugs to my Sister)))

Umm…I cannot believe it is only 4 days until Christmas. It is about this time that I get depressed. Isn’t that stupid!??!!?? But, I do! I love the anticipation of Christmas and all the fun stuff….but I also hate when it is over. So, I am excited that it is almost here, but already sad that it is almost over! How dumb is that! I still have plenty of knitting to do! I am about ¼ of the way done with one…and I have another one to do! YIKES! I am sure I will get it done! I am going to use some bigger needles on the next one! I love what I am working on…it is very pretty, if I do say so myself!

Yesterday I was talking to a lady here at work and she was telling me how her mom knitted their stockings when they were kids…and one of her granddaughters asked her to knit a stocking for her and her soon-to-be hubby. I thought that was a cool idea! So, I am going to try to find a pattern and try to work on those next year. That would be a nice thing to do!!! We’ll see! I am also hoping I get a sewing machine for Christmas…so maybe I could just sew us some….who knows?!?!?

God is so good! We were scrapping the bottom of the barrel until Hubby gets paid on Thursday…and I was really sweating it. Yesterday, Hubby came home for a quick minute from work and checked the mail. We had a check from his grandpa! His Dad’s real dad who we have talked to a lot this year on the phone…he wasn’t a part of Hubby’s life as a kid…but it seems like he is trying to make up for that. So, anyways…that was a very nice surprise…thank You Lord!!!!

Last night was PT practice….it was fun to be with Sight Sing and HBM. There were some frustrations….but I think once everyone gets used to it….it will be fine! I just love being a part of that. But I have to admit that I am beginning to wonder…and I do this occasionally….if I am where God wants me to be in the church. I know that I am where I want to be….but is that where God wants me to be. I struggle with that a lot…..so keep that in your thoughts, if you would!

We came home and FAB was asleep (my MIL had come over to watch the kids…begrudgingly it seemed…but she did come over) and I-Man was just being the sweetest little fella! It is like he knows that Christmas is a few days away so he better be good! But he was just loving on me and Hubby so much….he came over and gave me a kiss….and I told him that his lips were reserved for Mommy and Mimi’s and Aunts…and that is IT! No girls! So, then I asked him if he had kissed any girls and he said no. I asked him if he had kissed C-Girl (Minnie’s girl) and he said no. I asked him if he has kissed M-Girl (Dawn’s girl) and he said “NOT YET!” Hubby and I about died laughing!!! It was “priceless” as Hubby said. My little Ladies’ Man!!! I just love that little kid so much!

And FAB…she has turned into quite a little “Papaw’s Girl” since my parents have been up here more. The cutest thing….I was at their house picking the up and my Dad was sitting in a chair with his feet up on an ottoman. He was telling me how she kept making him get his feet down and he just thought that was the funniest thing. So, next thing we know…she had pulled her little chair up next to the ottoman and proceeded to put her feet up on it too…and then she just laughed. My Dad was laughing…..he is such a great Papaw. I can see more and more (when I see him with my kids) why I am such a Daddy’s girl and why I love that man so much. God blessed me beyond belief with my parents. I truly do not deserve them…they are so wonderful!

Now that I am all teary…and you all know that I am!!!!!

Next topic….so I got up this morning and went to the gym! Yep! I got up at 4:40 and was at the gym by 5:00 when it opened. I worked out and then came home and got ready for work and was still here by 7:00!!! Isn’t that great?!?!? I loved it! I think I am going to do that more often!!!! Love!

Oh…and I-Man has now gone 4 nights without peeing the bed! We are still getting up with him like every 3 hours or so….but COOL!!!!!

Well, I have to get to work! Love and prayers to everyone. Please continue to pray for JJ and Buford and his family. The viewing is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. I am going with my parents to the viewing tonight…..but keep them in your prayers. Hopefully this will be a true celebration of the wonderful life of his Aunt Weezie….that is what she would’ve wanted. This is like losing your mom….because she practically raised Buford. She was a very special woman…I only met her a few times…but you just knew what a special person she was.

Love you all! Merry CHRISTmas!

Monday, December 19, 2005

Knitting....knitting....knitting

I am just taking a quick break from...you guessed it....knitting! After a minor mis-hap last night...I have finished my mom's garland...I mean scarf....and have started one of the two others that I HAVE to do this week. It is a good thing that I like to knit!!! But it is getting old!!!! Just because I "have" to do it....you know how that is. Last night...after I updated my journal...I was knitting on my mom's scarf and I realized that I was almost done....more than I thought I was. Well, I was doing a "yarn-over"...my new stitch...and something went arry....well, I am knitting with fun fur......and it is impossible to fix!!! I was near tears because I thought I was going to have to start all over again....but I got it, finally...and finished it tonight!!! YEAH ME!!!! Mom will be surprised because I told her that I wouldn't do it until after Christmas!

Well....today was a good day at work. I worked very hard this morning and got a lot done...and then left to hook up with KK and do a little shopping. That was nice! And then I went to the gym...and then to get the kids....and then home. We had a quick dinner and I have been knitting and wrapping up all the scarves that I have made for people all evening.

I-Man had another dry night last night! Again, we set the alarm and got him up every 3 hours or so...but YEAH! We are going to keep this up until he can do it by himself! So far so good!!! And.....(knocking on wood)...so far they haven't gotten the stomach flu! We are trying to get my MIL to watch them tomorrow night so that they aren't around any of the kids that have had it...but I don't think she can do it. No offense...but so far they haven't gotten it...I don't want to keep pushing our luck! I hope everyone else's kids are better too.....it would be the pits to have it at Christmas....been there, done that!

So, yeah...we have PT practice tomorrow...that should be fun....and interesting because it is our first practice with the entire new team! I am sure it will be great!

Umm...please pray for my Sister, JJ and Buford. I think this is going to be a very sad Christmas for them with the passing of Aunt Weezie....and they have the same financial strains that we all do....with their roof/water damage this year.....a very big unexpected expense! So, just keep them in your prayers. I haven't heard what the arrangements or when they are for Aunt Weezie...Buford may already be in Ohio....I tried to call JJ tonight and had to leave a message. I worry about her!!! Praying...praying...praying!

Well.....there isn't much else to update you all on! Pretty boring here...unless you want to talk about knitting!! Love to all and Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas.....Sister, is this color of green better??!?! I want to please you!!! LOVE!!!

Well....Merry Christmas! It is only one week away! Today we had Hubby's family Christmas...but I will get to that later!!!

So, last night we had our last performance of our cantata....it was great! I did forget to turn the wireless mic on for our quartet.....but oh well! My mom made it (that was a nice surprise) and my FIL was there with my Step MIL. So, that was nice. There were actually a lot of people there!!! It was so good to see Speedy and Piglet and Piglet's Daddy!!! Speedy looks awesome! She has certainly lost the weight very quickly!!! And Piglet is gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! I tried to help Speedy say no to people holding Piglet...but I know how hard that is!!!! Especially when she is just so beautiful!!! So good to see them!!!

So, anyways....so glad that is over! Afterwards....FAB kept trying to "ride" Pita Pocket...I am not sure that Pita Pocket appreciated it. She does it to I-Man all the time.....but I-Man is much bigger than Pita!!!! At one point she was pulling his pants off!!! YIKES! And I-Man was having a BLAST playing with Little Drummer Boy...and another young man....I think I will call him Boy Scout. When I was putting I-Man to bed last night he told me that Little Drummer Boy was his new "buddy". So sweet!!! Thanks Little Drummer Boy.....it was nice to not have to worry about I-Man for a bit!!! So, then we came home and I knitted and then we all pretty much went to bed.

Well....we were out of pull-ups....so we decided that we would try to really help I-Man stop peeing the bed....pull-ups are getting so expensive! So, we set our alarm for every three hours and would get him up to pee. It worked.....it was a pain for us....but it worked. I think we are going to do that for a few weeks and see if we can get him in the habit of getting up. This morning I was telling him how proud of him I was and he said "Mommy, thanks for waking me up to go potty." So cute.

So....then off to church this morning. I was very sad that Pita Pocket was sick. The stomach bug is going through the little ones at our church. Praying that my two don't get it....but FAB had it right before Thanksgiving...so maybe we are in the clear this time...praying!!!!! Anyways...that also meant that HBM wouldn't be there to sing with me...panic! I am so used to having her by my side!!! Sight Sing and I were very nervous.....but let me tell you....it was an awesome service.....AWESOME! I wish HBM were there to experience it! In a way, I think it was good for me to be without her one week (no offense...I LOVE singing with her and I MISSED her like crazy)....but I think I needed the confidence boost. At any rate....it was so awesome!!! We had quite a few visitors....the songs were awesome.....just awesome. The sermon was awesome.....it was just great! The Praise Team all huddled afterward and hugged each other.....it was great....just great! Elvis was really into it this morning....we moved some......it was just like the first song said "I will not be silent....I will not be quiet anymore.".....It has gotten so frustrating to be up there and feel like we have to be inhibited in our worship because others are uncomfortable or unwilling to let God move....but not this morning! AWESOME!!! God is so good! So very, very good!!!

So...after that....we took the kids to see Santa. We have a picture of I-Man with Santa...but no pictures of FAB with Santa. She was so not going to do it...and I wasn't going to torture her to get the picture. MIL and Hubby wanted to....but I wouldn't do it. She was SCARED to DEATH of him!!! But I-Man was so cute. This Santa really took time to talk to I-Man....like whispering stuff and everything. Very cute!!

We came home and I put a ho-ho cake together and off we went to Hubby's Aunt's house for his family Christmas. It was very nice....we spent most of the time talking to his older cousin (she is the only one older than him) and her hubby. They are Christians too...and just fun to be with. We should really do things with them more often. Hmm...anyways.....we did something different this year. Instead of having an adult gift exchange...we "adopted a family" and then some of us went and delivered all the gifts to them. It was very cool....and a ton of gifts. Hubby went with I-Man to deliver the gifts and said the kids were just overwhelmed. So,....a very cool thing to do! Of course, I-Man and FAB were the life of the party. Showing off the whole time we were there.

Well..I am off to knit! I am a little over half-way done with my mom's scarf....and I still have two more to do this week!!!!! AHHH!! Everyone have a great Monday and I will talk to you soon!!!

Love you all...and hope everyone is feeling better....or on the road to feeling better! And Happy Anniversary to HBM and Elvis....and prayers and hugs to JJ and Buford on the passing of Aunt Weezie.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

I just LOVE the weekends!!!

So...why can't weekends be 5 days long and weeks be 2 days long?!?!? Oh well! Just one more week of work and then I am on VACATION!!!! Yeah, me!!!

SO! Hope all the journal goddesses are doing swell! Things are going well here! I mean, finances are still an issue....but I am just not going to let that get me down! Hubby is making much more money than he was when he was selling cars...but it will just take us a while to dig out of the mess we got into when he was paying cars....but....blah...blah....blah....we all have money problems, why are mine any different?!?!?

Yesterday was a LONG day at work! The kids didn't go to bed too easily for us on Thursday night...so it was a short night! I didn't get more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep....oh well! And then we had a meeting all day on Friday....it was better than they usually are...not as frustrating...but still made for a LONG day! But...it was a bit like Christmas for me....a lot of the things that I don't like about my job are going to be going away...so I will be able to focus more time and energy on the things that I do like...and be more effective! So, that will be a good thing!!! Yeah me! We kept joking all day that it was an early Christmas for me!!!

SO...after work....I rushed to get the kids....I actually stopped at Wal-Mart REALLY QUICK because I needed a white shirt to wear for our performance last night......the one I had was way, way too big on me....that is a good thing! So...then I went and got the kids....we came home and got ready for our cantata last night. MIL came and picked up the kids and took them to the church....I-Man was her date...we kept telling him. She actually kept him overnight last night...her boyfriend is out of town because his mother is very sick..... Anyways.....the performance went very, very good last night! Hopefully tonight will be even better! Everyone did great! I just love the last song....so cool...HBM does a FANTASTIC job!!! The whole thing just goes well! Cool! I know that we are blessed to have so much talent in our church! This is the first time that I have not had a solo....it is kinda nice to not have that nervous feeling before a solo.....I tease Hubby and tell him that the whole thing is kinda a solo for him since he is the only tenor. He is hoping that Elvis will sing with him next time! We'll see!

Can I just insert a little thought here.....I really do love our church....even with all the problems we have....I still feel so at home there. And I am blessed to have so many of my very best friends at that church....you all know who you are! I just love you all so much....and I am also glad to see that my Sister has found a church that she loves so much....that is very important to us!!!!

Okay.....so, after that we came home...I finished a scarf.....still have more to make in a week, YIKES! This morning...got up and went to the gym....met KK there at 8:00. That was fun! Then I went to the store to pick up a few things for Hubby's family Christmas tomorrow....and then came home. I have been catching up on journals and cleaning house and playing with the kids....and basically just enjoying being home! I think that I am going to skip out of work early on Monday and do a little shopping with KK....she is taking the day off. We'll see if Stinky Pete will cooperate with that.

I am really struggling with something.....since Christmas falls on Sunday....if we go to church....I won't get to see my Sister and Buford and spend time with my family on Christmas. That has me very upset....when I was telling Hubby about it...he said that we didn't have to go to church....but I just don't want to let anyone down if we aren't there.....but I also want to spend time with my family on Christmas. Plus, my dad has to work...but my mom is staying here....and I don't want her to be alone...that would be a very depressing Christmas.....I am just feeling very torn. Very, very torn. I don't know what to do.....

Okay....well, I better get back to cleaning. Hubby should be home any minute and I don't want him to think I just sat on the computer the whole time he was gone!!! I will see MOST of you tonight.......YEAH SPEEDY WILL BE THERE!!!!! And some of you tomorrow.....and some of you later this week......Love you all and praying that you all have a blessed weekend and week!

Love ya!

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Quick Update

Well...I don't have much time....but I feel the need to update! I am sure you are all wondering what is going on in my oh so exciting life?!?!?!

Let's see....Wednesday.....was an okay day at work. It was, afterall, work. But with Stinky Pete in Chicago...it was bearable! Actually....it was a fun day at work! Got a lot done and got a lot of catching up with work friends done! After work I went and picked up the kids...we came home and fixed dinner real quick and then went to PT practice. It was so awesome! The songs are cool....the concept is cool....we are singing one of my all-time favorite songs..."Shout to the Lord"...and it just sounded awesome with all of us singing last night. Very cool. I also get to share one of my favorite Christmas traditions....for JJ and Queen....guess what it is.......yep! It is when our family sits around and sings Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. Absolutely hands down one of my favorite traditions/memories. So, I get to share that on Sunday and then we are going to sing around the piano. It will be cool! So, as HBM said...we TOTALLY need a babysitter for PT practices. It was very frustrating last night chasing after my little ones! Hubby helped...but it was still frustrating. I am blessed to have a Hubby that sees them as a joint responsibility and not just that I am the Mommy. You know how some men are like that!!!! So, after practice we came home and I finished a scarf and got a good start on another. I am a knitting fool these days! Hurrying to get things done by next weekend!!!

I had a conference call this morning at 5:50am...it was about the weather because Stinky Pete is in Chicago....I had to help him make the decisions about opening our branches. At that point in the morning...it was raining. Of course, a few minutes after we finished the call...it had turned to snow! The roads were a bit treacherous going into work...but not that bad! So...work was good again today...do you see a theme? Stinky Pete was still in Chicago and I had a good day at work....hmmmmm....funny how that works?!?!? I got a lot done and we had a carry-in...it was nice!

I talked to Betty (my friend from HS who married my cousin) and my friend whose Dad had a stroke....her brother came home from Africa - in the Peace Corp - to be with the family. Well, after being home for a week or so....he started feeling sick....turns out he has malaria! So, he is now in the same hospital as his dad...and very sick! That poor family!!! Please surround them in your prayers. The Dad is breathing on his own and they actually sat him up in a chair yesterday...they asked him last name and he got that right. Then he was alone in the room with his daughter (my friend) and he said "Old Man"....because he looks very old....and strange...wild eyes...they had to shave his head and beard.....and then he said "Fu**ers" because he was frustrated that the nurses/doctors won't leave him alone. Funny...huh? I said...well, it sounds like he is himself! But please pray for that family. Satan is attacking them hard...and when they already aren't Christians...I can't imagine where your mind goes when that stuff happens. Pray...pray...pray....

Well...I spoke to Queen today and it sounds like they are game to come over here for New Years Eve....COOL! Sister....what are you guys doing?!?!?! I think Daisy and BB are coming...and the Royals.....I probably will invite the other cousins......let me know!!!!!

Umm....sorry for the rest of you.....but I really communicate with my family this way!!!!

Let's see.....well, FAB has had a runny nose today...it is clear....but still...Hubby guilted MIL into coming over here and watching the kids tonight while we are at choir practice. The kids will be in the nursery the next two nights...so sparing them tonight is a good thing! Hopefully this doesn't turn into a full-blown cold! Last time she got teeth in...this happened...so hopefully that is all it is! Although, if a cold is all that she gets....I am fine with that!

Well...Hubby is cooking dinner.... I need to go help him! I will see you all soon.....busy next few days! But it is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!!!

Love you Journal Goddesses....and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Busy few days!

It has been a busy few days! And I have to go back to work tomorrow...blah! Oh well!

Let's see....where did I leave off? Oh...Saturday night...FAB did not sleep well! She has been working on getting some new teeth in...so I was up with her most of the night. Then we had church on Sunday....it was a nice service. I was very nervous about singing...I think because it wasn't a big group...just a small group....but it was fun. I really enjoyed it! After service...we came home and Minnie and her family came over and we ordered pizza. That was nice. We had a good time. Funny thing is that I have known Minnie for almost 8 years...and we are just starting to get closer and stuff. It is nice! We tried to go shopping..but the boys wouldn't go for it. Bummer!!!

So...then Hubby and I-Man went to the kids' play at church....I didn't want to try to take FAB because she was so whiny....wouldn't have been much fun! I hated that I missed it because I always enjoy those so much! So...then it was time for Women's group. I almost didn't go because it was the finale of Survivor...and because I felt bad leaving Hubby with whiny FAB..but I went and it was fun! Glad I went...but it was a long night with FAB. Again, up with her all night....so! I was glad that I was off work on Monday!

Monday....we got our home phone hooked up!!! Yeah! Finally!!! And then Minnie and I decided to meet for lunch at BK so the kids could play. That was fun...and then we went to Target...that was stressful...but fun! Umm....then we came home and took naps.....my kinda day off!!!

So, funny thing! Last night was the Secret Sister Reveal party...I totally thought I knew who my SS was....In fact, I have thought that for the past 6 months or more...I even went so far as to write her (and used her name) a thank you card to give her last night. BUT I WAS WRONG!!! I was totally wrong! Wise Advice was my SS....she is so funny! It was way cool!!! Unbelievable.....I was so surprised! It was a fun little party! So glad that HBM was there!!!

Today...the preschool party was this morning. That was fun....and then I-Man went sledding with my dad....they were out there for HOURS...and mom and FAB and I went shopping. It was a good day! Then I went to the gym....and Hubby went and got the piano....they brought it to our house. It is an old piano....it was his Great Grandmother's piano (on his dad's side). It has 38 keys (or 64 with the black-ones). I love it! It is definitely old and has some scratches on it...but I love it!!! I would love to paint it or antique it...but I think I will just leave it alone...since it is a family heirloom.....and it needs tuned! But I love having it! Neato! Umm...and then Pepto came over....we didn't do a Bible study...just talked and caught up with each other. I just love her so much. I learn so much from her! And God is really working in her life right now. SO, that was very nice!!!

Then I wrapped some presents and then Hubby called and asked if I wanted to run to wal-mart and target to get I-Man's tv....so we did that...and then we came home....and I am doing this!

So..that is about it! I guess I am going to go to bed! Update on KK...she is back to normal and doing fine. Don't know what was causing her chest pains...but PTL she is fine!

Have a busy rest-of-the-week...so I will catch up when I can! Love you all!!!!

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Updates and More

Well...I could go into a long ramble like HBM did and share with you all of my thoughts...but then you all would realize how crazy I am...and you may worry about me! So instead...let me give you a few updates!

Before I forget...update 1 is that my friend whose Dad had a stroke....he is still not doing well. I think they are going to take him off the ventilator on Monday or Tuesday...they think he will be able to breathe on his own. But...he hasn't really woken up or talked or anything since it happened. I guess that he has opened his eyes a few times and can squeeze their hands...but that is about it. His wife has not left the hospital once. She refuses to leave him. And Michael....the son...he came home from Africa and can stay until the 27th. I guess he is thinking that if things don't change...he may have to drop out of the Peace Corps. So, they definitely still need your prayers. Again, they are not Christians....so that makes this even tougher. Please pray for the entire family.

Update 2 is that I need prayers for my friend KK. Yesterday at work...early in the day she was complaining that her chest was hurting. In the late afternoon it got really bad. She called her doctor and he told her to go straight to the ER. She had blood clots in her lungs about two years ago (from taking birth control pills)...so they didn't want to take any chances. They did a ct-scan and x-rays and did rule out blood clots...but she is still having a lot of pain. They sent her home with pain medicine....but she is still not doing well. So, please pray for her.

Okay! Now what has been going on here?!?!? Yesterday was a good day at work (cuz Stinky Pete was out of the office!). Then we had his party last night. I was very bummed that KK couldn't be there. I was teasing her and saying that she didn't have to go to the hospital to get out of coming to the party!!! It was actually very nice...again, he is a nice person...just an idiot to work for. His wife was very nice...their house was GORGEOUS and HUGE! They had Olive Garden salad, breadsticks and lasagna and then she made some good desserts. We did a white elephant gift exchange...it was just a fun evening.

Oh...before we went to the party we went to my parents house and they took some family pictures of us. That was interesting! The kids cooperated somewhat.....they aren't perfect..but they will do! I need to go get a bunch of copies of those made.

We left the party about 9:25 and made it to the movies. We decided to see Syriana. Don't waste your money on that movie....it was a dud. In fact, I slept through about 45 minutes of it. It was that bad. I probably would've left if we hadn't paid so much to see it. Hubby didn't like it either. It just has a whole bunch of story lines that all work together at the end...but it takes to long to put them all together. Hated it. So, at least the popcorn was good...and the company, of course.

So...we came home and went to bed....and then got to sleep in! I actually woke up at 7:30 and thought about going to the gym...but then went back to sleep until about 8:45...so then I got up and read journals....and then went to my parents house....MIL came and took I-Man to Lowes and then my mom and I took FAB to Wal-Mart. I did some shopping....actually got FAB the Weebles Tree House. She threw a fit when we walked away from it....so I think she will like it. Got I-Man some more dinosaurs...and some things for their stockings....we are getting closer to being done! I just have some scarves to knit and a few other presents to make.

I am looking forward to being off on Monday and Tuesday! Hubby just told me that the season finale of Survivor is on tomorrow night! I will have to watch the DVR of it.....since tomorrow is Women's Group! I can't miss that!!!! Especially since I need to do some knitting...and because I can stay late since I don't have to work on Monday!!!

Umm....so back to today....after we got back from Wal-Mart...we waited for MIL to drop off I-Man again and I was going to just go straight to the gym....but I started my period...blah! Hubby and I high-fived though because at least we know I am not pregnant...since we are playing russian rullet! So....came home and Hubby got home from work so I went to the gym without the kids.

Then I came home and got ready to go to Olive Garden for Skinny Cousin's surprise birthday party. She was very surprised....and her Hubby was all teary when she came in. That was sweet to see. She is such a sweet person. Truly a sweet, sweet person! We had fun sitting with Queen and Daisy....I couldn't really hear anyone else. FAB was whiny...she is breaking in more teeth....and not doing well with it! She has had a fever and has slobbered through all of her shirts....just hard on her. Bless her heart.

Umm....that is about it! It was good to see all the family. FAB loved it when Aunt Beautiful was holding her and Princess. So cute. I got a cute picture of that! Maybe I should try to post it later!

Umm....I guess that is about it! I have PT practice in a little bit. Hubby and the kids are going over to his Dad's house. His Dad's birthday is tomorrow.

Everyone have a nice evening and I will see most of you tomorrow! Love you all and Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 09, 2005

Great Friend...

Hola Ladies! "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." The snow is very pretty!!! Even though I had to clean it off my van and drive in it this morning! The side roads were horrible...the main road wasn't so bad....I just panic when I have to drive in this stuff. I think I prayed the entire way to work this morning....but I made it! Yeah Me! Probably going to be a slow day here.....a great day to get all caught up! Hopefully! I think I am taking Monday and Tuesday off....so I need to get caught up!

Well.....yesterday was a fun day. I got a lot done in the morning...and then KK and I had to run all over town to get some gift certificates. Well, she decided that she didn't like her hair so we went and got our hair cut!!! How did that happen...she was the one that didn't like her hair?!?!?! Oh well....this guy that cuts her hair....well, first....when we walk in the very nice salon...they all know her my name!!! She goes there OFTEN. She is a little high maintenance, you could say. Anyways....he is really good! He is cool....he has long hair...and is actually a rock-star! He had a band in the 80's...you can still buy their cds. He used to live in LA. He still writes/records music and plays with a band here locally. In fact, he is going to LA in January to record a CD. So, he is cool. His wife (yes, he is straight!) works next to him...cutting hair too. So, anyways....I tell you all of this to tell you this. Preacher and Detergent also go to this guy (I referred them...) and they were just there the other day...and Rocker (I will call him) LOVES Preacher and Detergent. He knew they were in Ministry...but I don't think he understood that Preacher is our Senior MInister....he (RocKer) was stunned. He said, and I quote: "Now, I think THAT is a church I could go to! That guy is so real....and sincere....and the kind of person I would like to hang out with." How cool is that?!?!? I am going to tell Detergent and Preacher about that. I said "Yeah, not many Senior Ministers would go with a bunch of the youth to a Rolling Stones concert." We laughed...but he went on and on and on about how much he liked them....and thought they were doing great things!

So, anyways....KK got her hair WACKED OFF. She has been letting it grow for almost 2 years....and it is gone! But it is a cool cut!! I love it! My hair....actually looks longer now then it did when I walked in there! How is that possible? I told him that I wanted to let it grow...but I had not had it cut since March. YIKES! So, he shaped it up for me...gave me more layers.....but didn't take any length off the back. The jury is still out on whether I like it or not....but at least I stuck to my guns and didn't get it cut short!

So...then I went and got the kids. We were supposed to have dinner with my Dad's family last night....but due to the snow, it got cancelled. I was bummed because I wanted to see them all. I haven't seen them for a very, very long time. In fact, I don't think they have seen FAB. That is how long it has been!!! So, hopefully we will re-schedule!

That was about it for last night. We just watched Survivor and hung out at the house. We did let I-Man open a present last night...we had bought him a sled...so he opened that last night. I think that my Dad and Hubby are going to take him sledding today. He is so excited! FAB loves to look at the snow...and she was catching some flakes in her hands. So cute!!!

Well...better get to work! Hope you all have a good "snow day"! Tonight is my bosses' party...so hopefully that goes well! And then Hubby and I are going to the movies since my parents will be keeping our kids over night!!! Yeah for Date Night!

Have a great day, "Blah-Blahs"! Love you all!

Thursday, December 08, 2005

It's the Most Wonderful Time...of the Year! (singing)

Hello Blah-Blahs!!! How the heck are ya!!?! Sounds like everyone is doing great....especially Roomiestar!! Isn't that cool?!?!? So happy for her....and Speedy and Little Bit are home....Hallelujah! God is so good, isn't He?!?!?

Here is my update......again, I am sure you are all holding your breath to hear from me! :)

Tuesday..work was good. I got everything ready for the meeting before 3:00...that is AMAZING! I mean, absolutely amazing! So, I left work at 4:00 and went home and changed clothes and off to the gym. My parents had the kids...they went to see my neices and nephew in Lebanon. So, I went to the gym and Hubby went grocery shopping (isn't he the greatest?!?). Then I did a little Christmas shopping....found some GREAT deals at Elder Beerman! Then came home and that was about it.....the kids came home.....umm...that was about it. I think. Oh! I-Man and I were all settled in on the couch to watch "Charlie Brown's Christmas"....he declared it was "my show" because he was only watching it because I wanted to watch it....I don't think he was into it much....anyways....and Hubby was whining about needing some cordurory pants...so I ran up to ElderBeerman and got him two pairs. They were really having a great sale. He was happy! And...they were a smaller size than he had been wearing...and they were big on him! Cool! And! I forgot to mention that I bought myself a pair of pants for work that were 4 sizes smaller than what I used to wear at my heaviest...COOL!

Okay....so Wednesday....my meeting went well. There were a few details that I overlooked..nothing major. But it went great. I got a lot of compliments and stuff. So, glad that is over!!!!

After the meeting, I went and got the kids....we came home and then we were off again to church. Hubby went to a b-ball game with Uncle Poncho, King and my Dad. They had a good time. I love that Hubby does so much stuff with my family! Really love that!!!

But, the highlight of the evening was the kids from Wednesday night church went caroling at a nursing home. I was SO proud of I-Man. He was on his best behavior...truly! He did cry because he wanted the cookies that we were giving to the people as gifts....but then I explained to him that we would have cookies when we got back to the church. So funny! And then he finally got to be the kid that gave a cookie to one of the people.....he was so thrilled! He just sang his little heart out....I was so, so proud of him. He kept waving at the people and saying Merry Christmas.....totally into it. I couldn't have been more proud. We need to do that again......it made me feel great....they loved it! This one little lady walked around with us and sang with us the entire night. She was so sad to see us leave. THAT is what the Holiday is about.....sharing His joy with others. Again, I was so proud of my little I-Man.

So...after church....by the way...thank you Sebbiedue for watching FAB so that I could cherish that moment with I-Man!!! After church we came home.....and I made a Christmas present for someone....and then went to bed!

So, you are up to date!!! We are supposed to get a lot of snow today. I am hoping they are wrong! But, in case they aren't....everyone be careful!!!

I have to say...I love you all! I appreciate your friendship....and I feel blessed to have each of you in my life! Love and Hugs!!!!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Grrrr...

Hi Ladies! The GRRR...is because I tried to journal last night...but couldn't get on this dag-gone system! Apparantly is was just me..cuz it doesn't look like any of you had problems. I am starting to worry about my home computer....maybe there is a virus or something on it?! I don't know...but anyways!!!! I was so frustrated last night!!!

Okay....enough of that! It has been a good few days!!

Sunday...was a good...but long day! It was my Sunday to be in the nursery both hours. I am seriously thinking of changing that....it gets very frustrating! I think the reason I get frustrated is I don't think there was a Sunday last month that I wasn't in the nursery for part of the day! People don't show up...and I can't just drop my kid off and leave....so I always end up staying....that gets frustrating! That is why I stopped being the nursery director....I really shouldn't complain because I know there are others who work with the kids so much more than me...but I really am struggling with that! Sorry for the rant....but okay. I feel better now that that is over!

So anyways....after church we went to BK with Minnie and her family. I-Man and Pretty are so cute together. I think the right word is "adoration"...they adore each other!!! So, that was fun! And then I dropped Hubby and the kids off at home...and picked up Minnie to go to the hospital to see Speedy and family. That baby is so gorgeous! Seriously one of the cutest and more perfect babies I have ever seen! Minnie and I both held her....haha HBM...just kidding. But she is gorgeous...and Speedy looked great! I can't wait to hear if they came home! I was telling Minnie that all babies are miracles...but also knowing all the struggles that they went through to get pregnant...and then all this scariness with the bp the last few weeks...it was so sweet and such a wonderful miracle to see them with that child. We serve an AWESOME God!!!!

So...then I went home and took a short (very short) nap...and then addressed my Christmas cards....and then we went to church for choir practice. It was LONG.....very, very LONG. My Hubby was OBNOXIOUS about how long it was...he got on my nerves. So, I didn't talk to him on the short trip home...and then he left for Men's Group...which was good. Otherwise, I would've said something I would regret. We talked about it on Monday...I was still mad at him about it....but oh well! He just doesn't know when to be quiet! He insists that everyone knows that he was just kidding....but seriously, enough is enough! I am sure it bothered me more than it bothered anyone else....but oh well! I still love him!!!!!

I did watch Desperate Housewives...that show is so....what is the word? So...bad! But I am so hooked!!! Oh well!!!! Then I went to bed!

Monday....I had the most frustrating day at work! I wanted to KILL Stinky Pete! More than one time! But....my old boss was in the Market....and I had a GREAT opportunity to talk to him a bit about Stinky Pete. He knows there are problems.....and he is working on it. I told him that I was going to wrap myself around one of his legs...KK was going to get the other and someone else was going to grab his arms and we were not going to let him leave. I just love him so much!!! Oh well....I am stuck with Stinky Pete for now. I am not looking forward to the party at his house on Friday...hopefully my Hubby will keep his mouth shut about what a jerk I think Stinky Pete is....it should be interesting!!!!!

So, after work...went and got the kids and then talked to my parents. They were in Ohio. So, we went over to their house. We met Hubby at "spazoli's" for dinner...that was yummy! Oh...FAB was so sweet....we pulled up to my parent's house and I-Man yelled "Papaw" when he saw my Dad...and FAB said it too!!! It was SO sweet! She didn't want my Mom...just wanted her Papaw. SO precious. I am a Daddy's girl...so I can understand her love for him!!! So anyways...after dinner....I went home and changed clothes and then went to the gym with KK! We had an absolute BLAST. We worked out for an hour and a half...and just had a wonderful time! We laughed and it was great! I just love her....and then we sat in the steam room. I don't think I have ever been to a steam room before. I sat down (with my pants on) and was like....my butt is wet! She said..."What did you expect? We are in a room full of steam? What is steam? HELLO!?!?" It was priceless!!! That was funny. I am trying to convince her to meet me there on Wednesday morning....she is not a morning person...so, the jury is still out!!!

After that, I came home and wrapped a few presents. Hubby wrapped most of them while I was at the gym. Wasn't that nice of him?!?!? Then I went to bed (after I tinkered on the puter for a while...trying to get into this site).

Today....is going to be a crazy day! I have a BIG meeting tomorrow...so my stress level is high! Tonight is our Secret Sister reveal party....I know who my SS is! I wish that HBM was going to the party....but she is a pooper and is not going (just kidding). I am not sure who else will be there. But I am sure it will be fun!

I gotta get to work! Love you all!!!

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Busy Weekend...But aren't they all?!?!

Aren't all weekends busy?!?! I am beginning to think so! Oh well!!! There is just so much going on...especially with it being December! So, here are my updates (because I know you are all holding your breath!!!)

Friday...work was alright. I got very frustrated with Stinky Pete...so much so that I actually started thinking of changing jobs. You see, I used to work in the branches..and I could always do that again. There are a couple of big down-falls with that though....first, the hours...I wouldn't be as flexible as I am now. Secondly...the pay. I would probably have to take a pay-cut. That would stink. So...I will just tough it out. He won't be here longer than 2 - 3 years...that is about how long they usually last before they move on to bigger and better things. So, hopefully that is the case with him!!!!

Friday Night....picked up the kiddos...came home and Hubby cooked dinner.....and then FAB and I went to the gym...while Hubby and I-Man went to a basketball game. FAB did pretty good in the nursery...well, what I should say is that she was just as whiney for them as she had been for me. So....pretty good! I had a fun work-out....kinda getting tired of my trainer because she just talks so dag-gone much! But...it definitely feels good to work out! Came home and pretty much went to sleep! I was tired...always am on Friday nights!

Saturday...got up this morning and got ready for our auditions. Hubby went before me...so he left and then I came with the kids. I took them into the church...and they had the doors open to the sanctuary..and of course FAB started crying...so we went back out to the van to wait. Hubby thought his audition went pretty good....as did I. I do not envy Elvis..he has some tough decisions to make. We won't know for over a week...that is a long time! But....I actually really enjoyed the interview part of it because I really have learned a lot about Worship and myself in this past year. So, that part was really cool.

Then....we came home and Hubby went to work for a few hours. I just cleaned house a bit and also took a nap while FAB was sleeping....and then Hubby came home. I went to the gym again! KK joined me.....we had a great time. I laugh so much with her. We were doing all these weight machines and breezing right through them (with lots of laughs and awkwardness) and then we go the "ab cruncher" or "ab oucher" as I call it....and she starts doing it and says "What is the weight on this one?".....and my response was "You are the weight on this one" because it is basically like sit-ups...she starts laughing and says "Can you reduce that by a few pounds?"...we were cracking up....like, almost pee my pants kinda cracking up....and this other lady who was just starting came up to us and said she wanted to hang out with us because we were having so much fun. SO...it was cool! I would love to go tomorrow too...but don't know if I am going to be able to fit that in to my schedule! Church.....then I want to go to the hospital to see Little Bit...and then Grand Court (singing at a nursing home) and then choir...blah...blah...blah! But oh well! I will just go on Monday!

So, after that...came home and umm....exercised some more (TMI) and then went shopping for some stuff at Hancock Fabrics...and then came home and got the family and went out to dinner with Hubby's family. Today was his oldest sister's birthday...so it was MIL, FIL, SIL#1, SIL#2, Beater and our family. It was actually a very enjoyable evening! Kinda weird that FIL and MIL were both there...and their significant others weren't...but it was very nice. I guess last night at the b-ball game, I-Man and Hubby sat between FIL and Step-MIL and MIL and her boyfriend. Talk about weird!!!! So, dinner was nice...Hubby was a bit peeved when we got there because MIL, SIL#1 and Beater were all drinking beer.....and we just don't want our kids around that...not so much a beer or two....but them (close family) drinking right in front of them...or while holding FAB. Just seems weird to me....but I just told him to shoosh and not let that ruin our evening. So, that was nice. We RARELY see his whole family.

So, we talked MIL into giving up the night with her boyfriend to watch the kids so we could do some Christmas shopping! We got A LOT done tonight! I feel better already! We only have a few more gifts to get. AND...we got FAB a birthday present (which isn't until July....) but it was so cute! It is a Disney Princess tri-cycle....adorable....we got it for $8.50 at Once Upon a CHild. It looks BRAND NEW!!!!! I was so excited about that.!!!!!

Umm....I guess that is about it! Hope you all had a wonderful day and that everyone is home safely! It is very icy out there!!! Our driveway and sidewalks are sheets of ice....I am sure attendance will be very down at church tomorrow. I am in the nursery both hours anyways!

Love you all!!!!

Friday, December 02, 2005

Another update on Sara...

Little Bit is here!!!! Sara and Little Bit are doing fine. Grandpa called HBM and shared that much with us. He did not have specifics....like the time, weight, height...but when we find out we will let you know! Also, the hospital they are at has a web-site..so we will all be able to see her and send them our wishes!

I will let you more when I know it...or maybe HBM will...she was thinking of stopping by the hospital tonight....I will probably go tomorrow if I can get my MIL to watch the kiddos for a bit.

Praise the Lord! He is an awesome God.....what a miracle! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This little miracle has been a long time coming....don't give up HBM! We all know what HE can do!

Love ya Ya Yas!!!!!! or blah-blahs!!!!

Update on Sara...

Ladies...I just had a call from Sara's older brother and they are doing a C-Section at 1:30. Please keep them in your prayers! I will keep you posted as I here more!

Fun Evening!!!

Well...it just seems that there are never enough hours in the day...ya know?!?! I have wanted to post....but then I start reading everybody's journals...and blah...blah....blah! I know you are all dying to hear about my last couple of days...so, here they are!

Wednesday...work was pretty good. It was actually a very productive day. Got to spend some time with Stinky Pete....I have now created a folder for my "Discuss with Stinky Pete" stuff. So, when I left his office, that folder was empty...but my "To Do" folder was full. Oh well, job security! But honestly, things seem so much better with KK here. Although, through our course of discussion with him....we realized that we will end up going out and buying the gifts for his direct reports (other than us...because we probably won't get anything other than the mug) and he is going to pay for it with the Bank's money...on our corporate cards....not out of his pocket. That is just WRONG! Oh well! Just chalk it up as another "Stinky Peteism". LOL He never ceases to amaze me!

So...that evening it was not my night in the preschool class at church...so I went to Premier Ladies Fitness after I dropped off I-Man. I think I am really going to like it.....it seems very nice! I am going back tonight!!! I was going to go yesterday....but then Pepto came over instead...so tonight it is! Like I said, I am very excited!!! This should really help me with losing more weight and just feeling better about myself!

Then..that was about it for Wednesday, I guess.

Thursday....another fine day at work. I only worked until 1:30 because Hubby and I were splitting the day with the kids. Although...he didn't end up going to work until later (grrr...) but it was nice to have a short day! So, I was extremely productive in the morning! I didn't have to see Stinky Pete at all! That is a good day!

Got home.....and Pepto called and she came over! We haven't been able to spend time together for a LONG time.....just with her school/family stuff....and my Hubby's weird schedule....and my MIL not willing to watch the kids....so, anyways....that was very nice to spend some time together. Please keep her in your prayers....the viewing for her Grandmother is today and the graveside service is tomorrow. This is a rough time for anyone....but especially with all the other stuff going on in her life right now. So, just pray for her. She is such a cool person!

Then....Scrapbook Queen and Beef came and dropped of M-Girl and A-Girl. Hubby was going to a b-ball game with a guy from church...so it was just me with the kiddos! It was a very good evening! At first, I-Man was like...."I don't want to play with girls!"...and...he actually went in his room and locked the door. What a brat! So, I scolded him....and he got over it really quick! A-Girl and FAB played "together" a lot. Now, I say "together" because that doesn't mean they actually played together......they were in the same room!!!! A-Girl kept calling me "mommy"...that was just easier for her, I guess. She is so cute...a little monkey...but cute! At one point I think she was almost on top of our bar.....how funny! And she kept climbing in and out of FAB's crib. Luckily she didn't discover I-Man's top bunk!!! But anyways....they were all good! I-Man probably has a shiner this morning....he and M-Girl were running and had toys in their hands....he fell on the toy that she was holding and hit his eye. Oh well! At least it was my kid and not their's!!! I guess we are going to have to wait a few days to take their pictures!!!

So.....like I said, I-Man warmed up to the girls! In fact, he and M-Girl played "house" most of the night. Should I be worried that they kept going into his room and closing the door.....once when I went in there they were laying in his bed..?!?!? I mean, they are only 4 and 7, right? I had to tell Scrapbook Queen that I-Man was...um.....exposing himself to M-Girl. (ok...pick your teeth up off the floor)....I had told him to put his pull-up on.....and then I was changing a diaper (not sure who's) and I went into his room and he is standing in his closet with no pants on...and M-Girl is standing right there......and he is laughing....and M-Girl says..."He is trying to show me his weiner"....I ABOUT DIED!!!!!!!!! Luckily, at this point, Hubby was home...so he had a talk with I-Man. Sorry, Scrapbook Queen.....I ABOUT DIED. So, moral of the story...maybe I should be worried?!?!?! Just kidding...but it made for an interesting evening! Hopefully they will let us watch their kids again! Seriously, it was an easy evening! I guess when you just add a few more kids in the mix...they play better together and don't get bored as easily! So, whenever you and Beef want to go out on a date.....just ask!!!!! I promise that I won't allow I-Man to expose himself again! Oh...also...one time I went and found them in our little bathroom....M-Girl was going poo and I-Man was sitting on the floor next to her and they were looking at a magazine together! How funny! When I told Scrapbook Queen, she wasn't fazed....she said M-Girl likes an audience....which explains why she had FAB in the bathroom with her earlier in the evening. TOO FUNNY!

M-Girl is a "mini-me" of Scrapbook Queen. She is so cute...and so much fun to have around! I can't wait until FAB is that age....it seems fun! Starting to be really girly...but also wants to be your baby.....she talked my ear off and I really enjoyed having them there!!!! So, anytime!!!!!

Well...that brings us up to date, I reckon! Not a whole lot going on! Tonight I am going to the gym....tomorrow are auditions...please pray for those....and then we are having dinner with Hubby's family....it is his sister's birthday.....

OH! Pray for Speedy! Little Miss Abby might be making her grand appearance today!!! I spoke to her Hubby last night and they were starting "the gel" on her last night to try to get things moving....they were going to try that twice. If there was movement, they will start the potossin (sp?) this morning. If not, they will probably do a c-section. The catch to all of this is that because her bp was so high...they had her on some kind of medication...to try to lessen the affects of the high bp on her body.....that medicine could make a vaginal delivery be VERY long...like DAYS. So......her Hubby was pretty sure they would do the c-section.

I will keep you all posted if I hear more! Hopefully I will be making a trip to the hospital today or tomorrow! I am so excited for them....but keep them in your prayers. Her hubby said that she is scared...and in some pain.....they poked her a bunch of times because they couldn't find her veins.

I didn't want to steal her thunder by giving all the details...but I am sure you are all wondering what is going on! PRAY .....PRAY.... PRAY!

Love you all! Have a good one!