HeatherCrews.com

Busy, Busy Birthday Weekend

2010-04-19T09:20:00.002-07:00

Whew! This past weekend went by in a blur of activity. Saturday morning started bright and early with Kaelyn's softball practice. Kate came with me to play on the playground equipment so I had to keep my eye on her as well. Afterwards, we rushed home to get cleaned up for the PARTY! Kids were already coming and going from our house. Kaelyn's party was at Buck's Skating Rink in Boonville. She had a joint party with Colton and almost all of the first-graders made it to the party to help them celebrate. I wish I had been able to find my video camera cord because I surely would have been able to get footage for American's Funniest Videos with all those kids wiping out over and over again. It was almost painful to watch.

The party went quick but was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate. Next, the four girls that rode with me decided they were thirsty. I took them to Sonic for a drink. They soon decided they were also hungry. We finally made it back home.

We invited Devan and Clairice to spend the night and to have a campout and cookout in the back yard. That was a lot of fun and the hamburgers, hot dogs and s'mores were enjoyed by all. Kevin got called into work about this time leaving me with all of this mess and the tent to put up by myself. I got it done though and they had fun playing in the tent. Around 9 pm, I mentioned getting ready for bed and they asked me if I was going to sleep in the tent with them. I laughed and said no way. The girls all had stricken looks on their faces so I suggested we pile the sleeping bags on the living room floor and camp out there with a movie on. This suggestion was met with glee so in we went. Of course a movie had to have popcorn and soda. I finally got them all to sleep by 11 pm.

I was planning on making pancakes for breakfast but decided to take them to the breakfast buffet in Boonville instead. I have never seen four little girls put away so much food. After breakfast, we parked downtown and walked across the Missouri River bridge and back. This is when my purse got stolen. I had to deal with that for the next few hours. We made it back to Prairie Home in time for Kate's first ever ball practice. She was so cute running around the bases!

After practice, we went to Mom and Dad's and had cake and ice cream and Kaelyn opened her birthday presents. The kids from next door came over and had some cake with her. I left the kids at their house and went on a run/walk and enjoyed the peace and quiet for a little while. Then back home to get ready for an early bedtime!

Pictures to come...

Decluttering

2010-02-08T20:32:00.003-07:00

I shared this picture on Facebook the other day. It got some laughs and I got some wonderful support from other Mom's who have been there, done that or doing that with the parenting thing. But that wasn't why I shared it. I shared it because I love irony and that is what the picture represented to me. I didn't place the "1,001 Timely Tips for Clutter Control" book there just to snap the picture, that is where I laid it after reading some of the tips before bed one night. I won't say when that was because it will be evident that I obviously haven't been very timely about using said tips.

I took advantage of a snow day today and tried to put Fly Lady's fifteen minutes to good use on several of my personal Hot Spots. My night stand is one of them. I cleared it in less than the allotted fifteen minutes, dusted it, and snapped a picture for good measure. But then I got to thinking about how that nightstand clutter really had a lot to say about me and my life right now.

Primarly the clutter on the nightstand was my first love, books. Any book, doesn't matter, I love them. I sneak in time with books after my motherly, wifely and household duties are done. That means the few minutes before I fall asleep every night, thus the pile on the nightstand.

Tonight I took a closer look at the picture...there are two self-help books, one on mothering and one on decluttering. There are two children books because I try to read to Kaelyn every night before she goes to sleep. The Vampire Diaries is there, for pure pleasure. My Bible is in the plaid covering, for when all the self-help books just aren't cutting it. There is a devotional book for understanding God's purpose in my life. There is a fiction book about a Deaf family because I am trying to learn about Deaf Culture.

And that is just a small representation of the million and one ways that I am pulled every day. No wonder my house is cluttered, my insides are all cluttered.

(The rest of the clutter is an art project the girls were working on, some mail, and a few stray socks waiting for their match to come through the dryer.)

" target="_blank">

New Years Resolutions

2010-01-06T09:38:00.002-07:00

Here it is already January 6 and I haven't done much thinking yet about resolutions or goals for 2010 and the new decade. Maybe one of my goals should be to not procrastinate! Get it? Not procrastinate, January 6?

Anyway...

I do have so many areas I want to improve: be healthier, lose weight,be more fit, be a better parent, wife and friend, keep up with housework better, save money, etc., etc. etc. But where to start? That is always the hardest part, taking those first steps. FlyLady teaches to take baby steps and to jump in where you are. So yesterday, I ordered some parenting books off Amazon yesterday (10 Days to a Less Defiant Child: The Breakthrough Program for Overcoming Your Child's Difficult Behavior, The New Dare to Discipline, One Tough Mother: It's Time to Step Up and Be the Mom, She's Gonna Blow!: Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger) that I am looking forward to reading.

Can you tell I am struggling with parenting at the moment??

And then yesterday, I had an epiphany. I was pretty frustrated yesterday morning with the girls, trying to get them dressed and out the door for school and me to work. There was yelling and tears and the black cloud followed me through most of the morning. It hurts to think that my beautiful little girls may have had that same black cloud over them. It was the first day back, so some dawdling was to be expected. I should have planned better for that. I got up late, then tried to rush all of us to get ready and get out the door on time. Well...the epiphany part...I am a firm believer of the thought that the only person you can change is yourself. I got to thinking that I am the adult here and could certainly change my behavior. So I set my alarm clock for earlier, got up earlier, and got ready for the day before the girls were even out of bed. This made our morning a million times better than the day before.

So, I am starting to realize that change is possible with small steps and changes so for the new year, I am moving forward with that.

Barn Owl

2010-01-05T12:11:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I heard Barko making some commotion (even more than usual) from the backyard. When I went to check it out, I saw there was a smallish animal by the side of our garage. Barko was wildly running in circles around it, barking his unhappiness at having his territory invaded. The animal had the strangest face, that it took me awhile to even identify what type of animal it was. First I thought a possum, but no. A rat? Hopefully not! "Is it a cat??" I asked Kaelyn? I ran inside to get my camera (yes, leaving my daughter outside alone with a crazed dog and an unidentified wild animal). While I was gone, the animal flew (AH HA! Must be from the bird family!) across the yard with Barko in hot pursuit. Kaelyn spoke up, "I think it's an owl. I am a bird expert." She must be, because it was a Barn Owl (verified by Google). It hissed at Barko a few times and then flew off, landing on our fence post. Barko, ran around a few times, very proud that he had done his job and cleared his yard of any dangerous tresspassers, then returned to the house to take a nap in the warmth.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T11:41:00.004-07:00

I am so excited to ring in the New Year tonight. It's a double whammy of newness with the new year and the new decade...full of possibilities. I'll be celebrating the holiday with my favorite people this weekend, my parents and my siblings and families. It will be a full house as we all get together at Mom and Dad's for three days of eating, games, gifts, joking and laughing. I can hardly wait!

Christmas Jammies 2009

2009-12-26T11:38:00.005-07:00

Starting my own little family made me consider Christmas traditions, old and new, that I wanted to implement for my children. One of the traditions I had as a child, that I have continued with my children, is the opening of one present on Christmas Eve. The first catch is I get to pick the present out. The second catch is that the present contains Christmas jammies for my babies to wear on Christmas Eve to make the visions of sugar plums especially sweet (and yea, to make for adorable Christmas morning pictures.) Here are the Christmas Eve pictures for the past four years:

2006

2007

(they were a little would up this year and I never did get a good shot of them)

2008

2009

Kate's Christmas

2009-12-26T11:25:00.002-07:00

This first picture is of Kate's first Christmas, with a doll that Kaelyn picked out for her. I have always loved this picture, the way she is holding the package and really checking it out. The below picture from Christmas morning was so similar I had to share it. She's grown up a little bit!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-18T15:18:00.002-07:00

What the heck?

2009-12-04T10:45:00.002-07:00

I was driving to work yesteday, listening to the radio as I usually do, unless I am talking on the phone. I drive thirty miles on rural highway to and from work everyday...talking on the phone is fairly safe. But I digress. I was listening to Man Cow radio show and they were interviewing someone from the Ashley Madison agency. This is a dating agency for married people who want to have affairs...online dating for people already in relationships. I just checked out their website and their tagline is "Life is short, have an affair?" This is one of those moments, when I have to stop and wonder, what is our world coming to? Life is short but eternity is forever and last I checked, many considered adultory to be immoral and a sin.

During the interview, the statistic that the U.S. infidelity rate was 84%. Wow. That's all I have to say about that.

But what really got me and what I feel compelled to share is that Man Cow made a comment about this being the "Devil's Website". "It's not the Devil's website. There are almost 5 million registed members," argued the spokesperson. There could be ten million users, and it still wouldn't make it RIGHT. I was taught that two wrongs don't make a right!

DSP Recognition Week

2009-09-10T10:10:00.003-07:00

This is from an article I wrote for the newsletter at work:

September 14th – 18th was recently designated by the U.S. Senate as National Direct Support Professional Week.

What is a Direct Support Professional?

DSP’s, as they are commonly referred, provide hands-on care to a wide range of individuals including people with developmental disabilities. DSP’s are the “hands, feet, and heart” of the direct service profession. DSP Recognition Week provides a unique opportunity to organize events, rally people and generally draw attention to the noble work of more than 3.2 million DSP’s in the United States.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share information on pending federal legislation, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act, H.R. 868 in the U.S. House of Representatives that would provide options to states for increasing wages for DSP’s. I encourage you to visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org to learn more. I also encourage you to contact your U.S. Representative to request co-sponsorship of this important bill. Contact information for your policy maker can be found on http://www.house.gov/

*****************************************************

This subject is very near and dear to my heart. I got through college first working as a DSP, later supervising DSP's and at my current job, I train DSP's. I have been blessed to work along side some amazing people providing services and supports to people. These people unselfishly give so much. My experiences have made me a better person. It is time to give recognition to this PROFESSION!

Daddy Dollars

2009-09-01T06:39:00.004-07:00

This is a Daddy Dollar. I read about this in the September issue of Family Fun magazine (which is one of my fave magazines and is very reasonably priced and no I don't get a kickback if you order, it's just that good). The concept is just a reward system. Kids get to earn Daddy Dollars for doing things around the house. In the article, the Mom would give each of her kids $3 Daddy Dollars for each morning if they were up, dressed, teeth brushed by 7:30 am. I made a list of chores and posted it on the fridge. Here is mine:

Ways to Earn Daddy Dollars
Clean your room $5

Make your bed $2

Put your trash in the trash can $1

Get up, dressed and teeth brushed by 7:30 am on school days $3

Pick up living room $2

Put away toys after you use them $1

Feed the animals $2

Vacuum under the bird cage $2

Help Mom fold or put away laundry $1

Sleep in your own bed $2

It can be customized to your household. Then kids can spend their Daddy Dollars at the Mommy Mall. Again, you can customize this to your household and by using true motivators for your kids. The idea is the stuff they can buy should be easily obtainable, inexpensive or free, so you can reward them as soon as they want to purchase. I plan to buy a grabbag of little toys/stickers/candy as well. Here is my Mommy Mall:

Mommy Mall
Trip to the playground $5
30-minutes computer time $2
Cook a recipe with Mom $5
McDonalds for dinner and play time $20
Sleepover $20
Bike Ride $2
30-minutes cartoons $2
Watch a movie $3
Reading with Mom/Dad $1
Trip to Bonkers $50
Trip to Chuck E. Cheese $50
Trip to the movie theater $50
Trip to Amanda’s for a snack $5
Soda from machine $2

I also posted some rules:

Mommy Mall Rules
1. Daddy Dollars can be earned by helping out around the house, being responsible, listening to Mom and Dad and other things

2. Daddy Dollars earned will be kept in the bank envelopes and kept on top of the refrigerator. A balance sheet will be kept on the fridge

3. Daddy Dollars can be used to shop at the Mommy Mall

4. Daddy Dollars can be saved to buy larger items or used for smaller items

At three, I don't know how much Kate will get the whole concept but we will help her. I think Kaelyn will really get into it. I'll keep you posted.

Here's the website where you can create Daddy Dollars. The girls think it is so funny to see their Dad's face on the dollar. I just hope I don't get busted for counterfeiting.

http://www.festisite.com/money/

The Great Mouse Massacre

2009-08-27T12:25:00.003-07:00

Those of you on Facebook have already heard this story but I have to share it here too for those of you who aren't.

Sunday, we went to Petco to get some flea treatment for our new dog, Donnie Barko. His name is really irrelevant to this story but I like saying it. Anyway, while there, Kevin decided that he needed some pet mice, three in fact, one for him, one for Kate and one for Kaelyn. I said no but the pouting and whining wore me down, all from Kevin, I might add. He picks out a fancy cage with running wheel and multiple levels along with a fancy price tag. Good thing the mice only cost $2.79 apiece! I consented to the purchase with the exclamation that I would have nothing to do with these critters.

A side note, Kevin told me yesterday, that when he was having the clerk get the mice out for him, the clerk asked him if the mice were "feeders". Kevin said he was standing there with the fancy cage in his hand when he asked that. Kevin said he was thinking "Yes, we like our feeder mice to be really happy before they become lunch." We had a good laugh about this yesterday. A little foreshadowing here.

So we have all been fascinated by the antics of the mice family all week. The three mice recipients talked long and hard before deciding on their names. Kevin's mouse became Willard, Kaelyn named hers Agent Jaurez and Kate chose, what else? Kate. Despite running on their wheel all night and stinking to high heaven, they were really cute to watch.

Kevin called me this morning and says he has bad news. He then proceeds to tell me he was laying in bed when he heard a crash. He found that our cat Sam Henry had jumped up and knocked the fancy cage off the computer armoire and then proceeded to have a tasty snack of Willard and Kate Mouse. We think Agent Juarez got away. That or he was fully eaten. Kevin was near tears and I really dont' want to have this conversation with the girls when I get home. Each morning this week, the first thing they did was run and look at the mice and comment on what they were doing. It will be a sad night in our house tonight. Luckily I have time to come up with a good story before then.

Like they left home to seek their fortunes.

Go Diego Go! Go Iguana Go!

2009-08-19T08:07:00.003-07:00

While trying to get through the first day of school chaos at our house this morning, I was sidetracked by the episode of Diego that the girls were watching. Kaelyn brought it to my attention as I was crossing the living room looking for Kate'e shoes. "Mom, look, the iguana is pooping strawberry seeds."

What? I stopped in my tracks and took a look at the TV. Sure enough, it did look like the iguana was pooping. But surely not! Getting out the door on time temporarily forgotten, I used the DVR to start the episode over to figure out what was going on. It appears that the Strawberry Festivale may have to be canceled as a strong wind has blown away all of the strawberry seeds. Diego to the rescue! His green iguana can eat strawberries and then take then to the field to be pooped out. Really. It was the strangest thing I have ever seen. I watched it over and over and then had to go wake Kevin up, get him out of bed and make him watch it. And then I had to come to work and Google it. Amazing.

My favorite part is when the iguana urges Diego to hurry as he "really has to go". The iguana does this little dance, and you can tell that if an iguana had butt cheeks he would be squeezing them, trying to keep those strawberry seeds in long enough to save the festivale. He looks so proud as he walks along the field rows, pooping out little piles of seeds. Then later, we get to see a picture of his intestines with the poop and seeds inside. And at the end of the show, the festivale is taking place and everyone is enjoying the scrumptious strawberries. Delicioso!

Must See TV at it's finest!

First Grade

2009-08-18T09:17:00.003-07:00

My baby starts first grade tomorrow. Why does that seem so much older than kindergarten? She isn't too thrilled about it but I think she will be once she gets started. They have seventeen in their class this year. That's a lot of six-year-olds in one not very big room. We had to stop by her old kindergarten room while attending Open House last night to say hello to her teacher from last year. There are only six kids in kindergarten this year! So last year she had seventeen, this year six...what a difference!

So tomorrow we will get up early and take first day of school pictures in front of the tree in our front yard and I will walk my baby to school as I silently cry that another year of her childhood has passed.

Enjoy every minute of it sweet baby, it goes so fast.

Pictures to come.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

2009-08-13T13:35:00.003-07:00

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samual Johnson or Ann Landers.

Another Kennedy died...so what? My Dad, an avid Kennedy fan (and Elvis Presley fan, but that's a post for a different day), passed on his fascination of all things Kennedy to me. When I heard that Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away earlier this week, I di a Google search out of curiosity. I knew little about this woman. As I read through the list of her humanatarian work, accomplishments and achievements, I was amazed and in awe. Having worked with people with disabilities for many years now, I am thankful for her work to achieve equality and increase opportunities for these forgotten members of our society. What an amazing woman. I urge you to take a few moments to read about her life.

The following is from the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation website.

In memoriam
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
1921-2009

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who for over 50 as a volunteer, led the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation died on August 11, 2009. She was 88.

Mrs. Shriver transformed America's view of people with intellectual disabilities worldwide from one of ostracism and denial of basic human rights and freedoms to friends, students, workers, neighbors and athletes.

During President’s Kennedy’s time in office, Mrs. Shriver advocated for research, services and recognition for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and for developing professionals to work with them. Her work at the Foundation ranged from supporting and advocating for basic research on the causes of intellectual disabilities to recommendations for legislation (P.L. 88-164 and P.L. 88-156) that resulted in the development of research centers at major universities now known as Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC) and the University Affiliated Facilities, now known as University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD); as well as clinical training programs for professionals working with children with disabilities and special health care needs under Title V of the Social Security Act, which have evolved into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Programs. Together, these programs have trained thousands of professionals, from researchers to clinicians. This work transformed the field by making it possible for students to see a role for themselves, during their academic careers, in research, training and service.

She also began the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellowship program, bringing promising professionals and family advocates to Washington for a year at a time, to work on a Congressional Committee, learning how policy is made in Washington.

The Community of Caring program, begun as an effort to reduce teen pregnancy, was built around five core values that empower young people to be responsible and caring members of a community: Caring, Respect, Responsibility, Trust, and Family. That program, a well regarded character education approach to reducing destructive behaviors, is now in schools in 46 states and Canada.

It was from the foundation in 1968, she started what would become the world's largest athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Now, more than 1 million athletes in more than 160 countries participate in Special Olympics meets each year. Realizing the children were far more capable of sports than experts said, Shriver organized the first Special Olympics in 1968 in Chicago. The two-day event drew more than 1,000 participants from 26 states and Canada. At the World Games in 2007 in Shanghai, China there were 80,000 people in the opening ceremonies with more than 7,000 athletes from around the world.

Mrs. Shriver received so many honors and awards including America’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received in 1984. In May 2009, the National Portrait Gallery installed a painting of her - the first portrait commissioned by the museum of someone who had not been a president or first lady.

Her son Mark Shriver said about his parents…"In the course of our upbringing, they stressed the importance of giving back," he said. "But we didn't sit around having family discussions about it. We learned by what she and my father were doing." Her son Tim Shriver said, in a letter to the Special Olympics Movement “She fought the good fight, she kept the faith, and though she knew the race for equality was not finished, she knew that the army of supports she had hoped for long ago had become a reality that would carry and someday complete her vision. On her behalf, as we prepare to say our last goodbyes, my family and I thank you for your shared commitment to that dream.”

For more information about Mrs. Shriver and her legacy, or to offer a written tribute, go to www.eunicekennedyshriver.org.

New Mindset

2009-06-24T04:34:00.004-07:00

I am NOT on a diet. I am NOT exercising. What I AM, is in training for a 5K thanks to www.C25K.com. Doesn't that just sound better?

I haven't "ran", and I use that term very loosely, since high school track, more years ago than I care to remember. I didn't really enjoy it then. But I am enjoying it now. A friend asked last night if I felt any different yet. Physically, no, I don't feel different, except my knees are aching more. But mentally, I feel amazing. I am not a morning person but to have my workout done before 6:15 am in an amazing feeling. Watching the sunrise each day as I move my body is an amazing feeling. Reaching for a goal, challenging myself, making new routines...all amazing. You get the picture.

I feel my life changing. I have logged in fifteen workouts in June so far. I am watching less television. I am going to bed earlier. I feel more in control. These are all great things and I am feeling hopeful. I can do this!

I WILL do this!

Extreme Bathroom Makeover!

2009-06-02T18:20:00.002-07:00

I got the best Mother's Day gift this year...a bathroom makeover. We loved our house at first sight, the bathroom was the one sore spot. We only have one and it is small. Really small. And it had really old linoleum and a stained sink and a tiny cabinet. Over the past four years, I have painted it, added a bright shower curtain, painted it again (a different color), added some decorations...and still it was a dingy little bathroom. And to top it all off, I was afraid that the floor was going to cave in at any minute.

I had been asking to have the floors redone since we moved in. So for Mother's Day, Kevin tore up the old linoleum and the sub floor and rebuilt it. He then put in ceramic tile and a new pedestal sink. I have always wanted a pedestal sink! The coolest thing though, was that Kevin picked out the faucet handles himseld with no input from me and they were exactly the ones I wanted! Here are some pictures of my bathroom. It's still tiny but I am loving it! It feels fresh and new.

Piano Men

2009-05-28T08:19:00.002-07:00

I realized that I haven't said anything about the big concert we went to last week. Was it really only last week? It seems like months ago. Well, in a word, the concert was fantastic! I am not a big concert person but this one was amazing. How can you go wrong with Elton John and Billy Joel? Mom sent me this review that was in the Omaha paper so I thought I would include it here. It describes the concert better than I ever could.

Review: Sir Elton, Piano Man put on an electric performance
BY KEVIN COFFEY
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Sir Elton and the Piano Man sure know how to put on a show.

In front of a sold-out crowd Tuesday at the Qwest Center Omaha, Elton John and
Billy Joel played all of their own hits, plus a few by other artists.

The evening was - in a word - electric.

The two musicians have slightly different styles, but both put on performances
that had fans on their feet, singing along, waving their hands in the air and
dancing in the aisles.

Joel - in a simple black suit - acted like a goofball. He twirled his
microphone, danced on top of the pianos, pantomimed smoking a cigarette while
John performed a solo, walked around like Frankenstein's monster and cracked
jokes between songs (drawing laughs when he referred to seats at the back of the
arena as being in Council Bluffs).

John was flashy as can be, both in his piano playing and his attire. Wearing his
trademark sunglasses, a bright, shiny shirt and a long, black coat decorated in
a rainbow of colors, his fingers danced up and down the keys. And after each
song, he walked around stage shaking hands, waving and blowing kisses to the
audience.

This stop on the duo's "Face 2 Face" tour was more like a face-off. Each
appeared to be trying to one-up the other, which consummated in a piano duel
during John's "Bennie and the Jets."

Like a piano-styled question-and-answer session, each improvised a solo more
complex than the other. The duel ended with Joel and John playing together to
finish out the song.

Though nearly every song was a memorable hit, some songs had some extra depth as
duets. The performers sang each other's lyrics in their own style, giving new
twists to songs such as "Uptown Girl" and "The Bitch Is Back."

As for the audience, despite the priciest seats in the arena approaching $200 a
pop, more than 17,000 fans packed the Qwest Center, filling the arena from the
floor to its highest reaches. Most in the crowd looked like veteran fans of John
and Joel, both of whom have been performing since the '60s. Quite a few young
folks also dotted the audience.

And, boy, was the crowd loud. Whether screaming when the duo took the stage or
singing along to John's "Tiny Dancer," the crowd filled the arena with cheers.

The show started with Joel and John taking the stage together and alternating
songs. John then took the stage with his band, encouraging fans to sing along if
they knew the words (which they did). Joel then took the stage with his band,
leaving the piano only twice (to play electric guitar on "We Didn't Start the
Fire" and do his best Elvis Presley dance impersonation during "It's Still Rock
and Roll to Me").

For the finale, Joel and John took the stage together with both bands. They
played a few more hits together and even played the Beatles' "Birthday" and
"Back In the U.S.S.R."

They finished off the performance with duets of their biggest hits, "Candle in
the Wind" and "Piano Man." Lights from cell phones and lighters filled the
arena, and voices from the crowd sang along to both songs and screamed every
time Joel played the harmonica solo on "Piano Man."

• Contact the writer: 444-1557, kevin.coffey@owh.com

Copyright 2009 Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved

Back to Work

2009-05-26T13:11:00.003-07:00

I'm all confused about what day it is. It took me a long time to figure out why The Bachelorette was on Sunday night! Yep, it was really Monday but I was all confused there for awhile.

So, back to work today although it is going to be a short day. Kate started running a fever last night and still had one this morning. She seems fine otherwise, a slight cough but that is all. Poor baby. Grandma and Papa were good to help out so I could come get a few things done at work. Besides blogging, that is.

We had a nice weekend, didn't do much of anything, but that is nice in and of itself. I got the last of my flower planting done and we got new handles for our kitchen cabinets and drawers. The girls and I had a cookout one night...hot dogs and s'mores...can't beat that! There was a birthday party at the lake for my niece on Sunday. Took the girls to Burger King so they could play in the play place. And that's about it.

I have a ton of pictures to post so stay tuned!

He Did It!

2009-05-21T08:18:00.002-07:00

Woo Hoo! Kris won! Can you tell I am excited?

This was the most amazing season of Idol. I loved Adam but was so happy that Kris won. Adam was always just a touch too theatrical for me. I like the artists that can sit down with their piano or acoustic guitar and sing a song. That is Kris. He doesn't need the fog or strobe lights to make you sit up and listen. So I am very happy with the outcome but truly hate to see the season come to an end.

I didn't get to see the whole show last night, I just skimmed through to the end to see the results. I saw bits and pieces and it looks like it was quite the shindig! I did see Adam's rendition of Beth...awesome! I tried to get Kevin out of bed to see Kiss perform but he wouldn't. I'll show him tonight. And Queen! I love Cyndi Lauper so really enjoyed her and Allison's performance. And David Cook! I can't wait to be able to watch the show in it's entirety.

But for now...YAY KRIS!!!!!

Must See TV

2009-05-18T13:31:00.002-07:00

I have been glued to the television set this past week or so...

Joan Rivers as the Celebrity Apprentice. I was glad to see her beat that witch of a poker player, Annie Duke. Side note, Jessie James is a hottie!

America's Next Top Model...I was hoping the other girl would win. I have already forgotten her name, the one with the big eyes. I liked her.

Danny Gokey got sent home on American Idol. Unelievable! I love Kris Allen. I think he is the most marketable of all of them. The teenage girls must feel the same way because someone is sure voting for him. I think it will be Adam's win though.

Poor Izzie! Poor George! The Grey's Season Finale was a big surprise (and heart wrencher).

Who did Mike marry last night? My vote is on Susan. Poor Katherine is way too desperate, even for a housewife.

Can't forget about Pam and Jim!

I agree with the folks that think the Biggest Loser lost too much weight. She is skinny!

I don't usually watch the dancing show but I have it recording tonight just to see their final numbers.

I think that is all of my telelvision shows that have had endings this past week or so. I am ready for some new shows to start to help pass the time until fall.

St. Louis Bound

2009-05-13T11:15:00.003-07:00

It's finally time for the Elton John and Billy Joel concert tomorrow night. I am so excited for the concert and the time away. Kevin was in charge of finding us a place to stay and I guess it's a surprise because he hasn't told me but has assurred me that he has a reservation.

Kevin is extremely traditional and unoriginal so I have my suspicions. We will either be staying at the Mayfair in downtown St. Louis or in St. Charles at the Boone's Lick Trail Inn. The Mayfair is a gorgeous, renovated hotel that we chanced upon years ago on Priceline. We got a last-minute reservation in an exquisite suite all done in dark cherry wood and marble. It was impressive. We stayed at the Inn in St. Charles for our fifth anniversary. We stayed in the cottage and it was so cute and fun. The Inn is right on the historic Main Street, which we both love to wander and shop. The best part was the huge jacuzzi tub. Either way, it will be a wonderful trip.

Hypothetical Question

2009-05-11T07:34:00.001-07:00

Is it bad that I wanted a new CD to listen to on my way to work and the only thing that remotely interested me was the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack?

I didn't buy it.

Lunch Date

2009-05-08T07:17:00.002-07:00

I am so excited for my lunch date today. My dear friend Tisha is in mid-Missouri visiting her Mom and is going to drive over for lunch. Tisha and I became friends when she came to work at a home I was managing, back in 1997. As a manager, it's not a good idea to become friends with the people you supervise, but with Tisha, I just couldn't help it. She is one of the prettiest, sweetest, funniest, funnest people I have ever known. She can tell a story, in her southern accent, that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. She is kind and compassionate, the folks that we served just adored her.

Tisha and I are exactly one month apart in age. My birthday is May 29 and hers is June 29. We came from different areas, had different upbringings, but there was a common bond right from the start. I remember sitting up late into the night, talking and laughing and crying. She had my life story out of me within weeks of knowing me. If you know me at all, you know this is hard to do!

Tisha had to move back south in January 1999 and her move devastated me. This was before email and facebook made it so easy to keep in touch. We've seen each other a handful of times in the past ten years but Tisha is the kind of friend, that makes time irrelevent. We will greet each other today as if we had just seen each other a few days ago. And I can't wait!

TGIM!

2009-05-04T11:10:00.002-07:00

After the longest week and weekend ever, I was so happy for Monday to come. Except that I couldn't get out bed for anything. I finally got up, and went upstairs to wake Kaelyn up, and she was sleeping so deeply, I couldn't bear to wake her. I let her and Kate both sleep in. I took them to school and daycare around 10 am so they didn't miss much. It was such a crazy week for all of us, it will take time to catch up.

The recital is over and everything went well. I have tons of pictures to share and will make everyone watch the DVD version when I get it. Highlights of the week included helping back stage for the dress rehersal. Imagine 25-30 little girls (they moved too fast to count!) and six mom's in a very small room for almost four hours. Not so much fun. Someone told the girls that there were bats in the theater so every time we went to go on stage, all the little ballerinas covered their heads and ran. I watched the performance from the audience on Saturday night. It was amazing how it all came together to create a show. I didn't have much hope on Tuesday. Kaelyn lost her tooth backstage Saturday night trying to open her water bottle. That was exciting. We took Kate on Sunday, and she didn't really appreciate the arts and wanted to spend the time going to the potty over and over again. I walked around with her and let Mom and Dad and Kevin watch the show. Afterwards, we went for a celebratory dinner at McDonalds. It was an experience, that's all I can say about that!

Playing Catch UP

2009-04-29T06:33:00.002-07:00

My apologies for slacking on my posting. I started last week with a toothache that quickly became a TOOTHACHE. I missed work two days last week...because of my tooth! I finally got into a dentist and they recommended a root canal that couldn't be done until May 26! I did get some Vicodin and antibiotics and the promise that I would start feeling better within forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours passed and still no relief. I literally cried on the way to work on Friday and Monday because I felt so bad. The crying worked and Mom pulled strings and got me into another dentist. This guy said my tooth appeared to be trying to do it's own root canal...I guess that explains the pain! He prescribed a different antibiotic, more painkillers and I get to go back tomorrow. That I am even writing about this and trying to make light of it, means I am finally feeling human again.

And it is Recital Week for Kaelyn. That means every night this week we have to go to the theater and rehearse for three houses a night. That makes for a very tired kid and mom. Last night went well but it's going to be a very long week. I have a new respect for the dance instructor.

I did catch American Idol when I got home last night. What a great night! I am so loving Kris. I think he is adorable and he can sing too! Of course Danny and Adam were good. I think it will be Matt's turn to go home tonight. No judges save this week. They are all very good, it's hard to predict who will make the final two. If I had to say, it will be Danny and Adam.

What else? I am planning a day long Staff Appreciation Day for Friday. It is finally coming together. I need to go buy some decorations later today.

And that's what's been going on in my world. What's going on in yours?

James

2009-04-16T08:11:00.002-07:00

I got a phone call from a reporter the other night. He was writing a story about a man whom I used to supervise when I still worked at Woodhaven. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/04/16/proud-papa/

Masters Degree

2009-04-16T07:19:00.003-07:00

Despite walking through graduation almost one year ago, I have still been working towards finishing my internship. Today, my final internship conference call is scheduled and I will be offically done with this chapter in my life. Soon I will have my Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Administration diploma in my hands.

It hasn't been an easy road. I actually started the program in 2002, almost seven years ago to the day. I got married the weekend before I started school and by August, I was preganant with Kaelyn. I had terrible morning sickness, had just moved to a new home, newly married, so school was the last thing I wanted to do. I made the tough decision to drop out of the program in September. I made the right decision but I did have regrets.

The opportunity came again to reapply in 2005. Kaelyn was now two, so I felt that I could manage her and studying both. This time, Kevin and my sister Tracy, decided to do the program with me. I knew their support would be priceless. Shortly after we started, I was pregnant with Kate. This time I had the support and knew I had to push through and get the program done.

My parents went above and beyond the call of duty in their support of all three of us. Once a month or so, they headed to Kansas City with us, and watched Kaelyn, my niece Lily, and then newborn Kate, all in a small hotel room, while the three of us were in class. We couldn't have done it without them.

We finished classes last year spring and then had to do our 400 hour internship. Mine was going to be a breeze, because I could do it at the place I worked. And then I quit my job. I had to rethink my goals and objectives and basically start over. I worked on my various projects all summer until I started my new job. It really helped me get things finished up.

Today. one phone call, and it will all be done. I am so excited and happy, I can't think of anything else. This has been a life long dream of mine and I am finally acoomplishing it.

I think it's time to start thinking about that Ph.D.

Easter Update

2009-04-14T08:45:00.003-07:00

It was a wonderful long weekend and Easter holiday. Not that we did much but that is nice sometimes too. We got the girls Easter pictures taken on Friday. Saturday we went to the Easter Egg Hunt at our church. Kaelyn was delighted to see that the carrots she put out on the front porch lured the Easter Bunny in. Kate was delighted to see the baskets of candy the Bunny left. Sunday was a fantastic ham dinner at Mom and Dad's with the family. The four little girls had another egg hunt and more candy. By Sunday night, little Kate was saying "My tummy hurts!"

Ballet Funny

2009-04-08T09:50:00.001-07:00

You probably had to be there but I giggled and giggled when the ballet teacher told the class full of tutu wearing little girls, "No more nasty fart noises in my ballet class please!"

You're Invited!

2009-04-06T06:39:00.004-07:00

It's time for Kaelyn's birthday so I am busy planning a pirate party! If you have any good ideas, send them my way!

City Museum

2009-04-05T19:16:00.005-07:00

I have been wanting to take the girls to the City Museum in St. Louis. Today seemed like a good day to do it. We got up, got ready and headed out for a fun filled day. The trip to St. Louis was not so fun. The girls argued and bickered and demanded attention. But we finally made it, three hours later. It took us awhile to find the museum, located in an old shoe factory in downtown St. Louis. I had direction but with 64/40 closed down, we had to detour a bit. You can read the website to know what the museum is about but let me say, it is visually fantastic. Everywhere you look, there is something to feast your eyes on. The museum exhibits are very hands on. There is stuff to touch, crawl on, crawl over, crawl under, climb, slide, swing...and it is really fun for all ages.
We hadn't been there too long when we made our way to Art City. There was a big table with paints and paper for kids to make their masterpieces. Yea, Kevin and I each made a masterpiece too! There was an area for clay design and another for making masks. I had put smocks on the girls so they wouldn't get paint on their clothes. We were finished painting when Kaelyn wanted to go over to the clay table. I nodded yes, and took Kate to the sink to wash her hands. I really can't remember what happened next but soon after, either Kevin or I noticed that Kaelyn was gone. I remembered that she said she was going to the clay area, right next the the paint table. She wasn't there. We looked over in Toddler Town and didn't see her. Kevin started looking all over that floor trying to find her. Kaelyn isn't one to wander off so I was really getting worried. I was trying to look, dragging Kate behind me, trying to pull me in the other direction, where she wanted to go.

Kevin went down to the front desk to get help while I kept looking for Kaelyn. I went back to the clay area several times to look for her but never saw her. I stopped to buy screaming Kate some cotton candy to pacify her when Kevin came back up. He rudely asked why I was having cotton candy at a time like this, which I ignored, knowing he was panicked. He asked me to go down and wait at the front counter with Kate so I did. I got her settled and looked up to see Kevin and Kaelyn walking down the stairs toward us. I took a deep breath and burst into tears. I couldn't stop crying. I remained calm while she was missing but I guess the fear and the relief just had to come out somehow.

I was so scared. The museum is huge...about 600,000 square feet. There were people everywhere and many dark nooks and crannies. I had no idea how we would find her. Kaelyn was in the clay area the whole time. In my panic, I had forgotten that I had put a blue smock on her and kept looking for her red shirt. Being such a smart mom, I dressed both girls in red so I could keep an eye on them in the crowds. With the blue shirt and her back to me, I (we) didn't see her sitting at the clay table.

I was ready to leave right then and there but Kevin talked me into staying and we did have a good time, once I quit crying and my blood pressure returned to normal.

These pictures are from the website as I didn't have batteries for my camera. I am worn out, emotionally and physically!

March Reading List

2009-04-05T19:07:00.002-07:00

Honeymoon by Amy Jenkins
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky

It seems like I read something else but I can't think of it right now.

Missouri Basketball

2009-03-27T09:42:00.002-07:00

How 'bout them Tigers?

American Idol

2009-03-27T09:42:00.001-07:00

How 'bout that Adam Lambert?

Playing Catch Up

2009-03-18T07:00:00.002-07:00

I have been so negligient in writing lately. It seems like the days and weeks just pass by so fast. I'll take a minute to write now and try to be better in the future, I promise!

American Idol...another amazing show last night. I loved Matt's song. I'm not sure what the song was, some Carrie Underwood song, but I loved it. I love a man who can sit at the piano and make music like that. Remember I am a huge Elton John fan! I really like Kris. The song he sang, To Make You Feel My Love, is special to me as it was sung at my wedding by Missy and Mindy! It is on the Hope Floats soundtrack, which is my all time favorite movie. Danny was good, Adam was good but Anoop Dog really blew me away with Always On My Mind. They are all so very talented. I can't wait for tonight's show.

We finished painting our laundry room/office this weekend. The color is Tomato Green and is just a few shades beneath Lime Green. I love it! I took some pictures and will try to get them added. The cabinets in the room and the woodwork is white in that room so it looks great against the green.

Work has been busy and keeping my jumping. Was it just six months ago that I wondered how there would ever be enough work for me to do? Be careful what you wish for!

I have Kaelyn's Parent/Teacher conference this afternoon.

And that's all I can think of at the moment. It's Wednesday!

House Rules

2009-03-10T19:02:00.007-07:00

Kaelyn has established some rules for our home that I thought I should share in the event that any of you come to visit. There are dire consequenses for breaking our House Rules so consider yourself warned.

Kaelyn made this sign to post so we would all be aware of the rules. She did this all on her own so there are a few misspellings that I will translate for you.

1. Don't Running.

This is self-explanatory and comes from my very frequent yelling "NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE" as Kaelyn and Kate chase each other around and around and around...

2. Don't Hit.

Your little sister!

3. Don't Kick.

The dog, the car, your little sister!

4. Don't Lie.

I'll always find out the truth!

5. Don't Hate.

Wise words from such a little one

6. Don't Scratch.

I love the picture illustrating this one. See the scratch on ther person's head?

7. Don't I Didn't Kick It.

?? I'm not sure about this one.

8. Don't Lock Persons.

As in the bedroom. Or the bathroom.

9. Don't Say No.

Clarification...don't say NO to your mom. Do say NO to drugs, boys, etc.

10. Don't Give Persons Poison.

A very good rule to follow.

11. Don't Whippins.

Because we do a lot of that around here and we really shouldn't.

Saturday/Sunday

2009-03-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

We had a nice weekend. Saturday, I was still sick and wasn’t good for much. I laid down every chance I could. The rest must have helped as I woke up feeling much better on Sunday. I watched the movie Changeling Saturday night. I thought it was quite good. I am a big Angelina Jolie fan from way back. She was so, so good in Girl, Interrupted. She is an amazing actress and was terrific in the Changeling. I can definitely see what she was nominated for Best Actress for this role. Now I am curious to see Kate Winslet in The Reader to see how I would have voted if I were a member of the Academy. First I want to read The Reader again. I read it several years ago and remember it being good, but don’t remember much of the plot. But I digress…

Back to the Changeling. I felt about this movie much like I did about the Dark Knight. It is just too much angst for me. Probably the same reasons I rarely watch the news and I hate CSI, Cold Case and all the other crime shows. Give me a good Reality T.V. show any day! Except the Bachelor, which I am now officially boycotting.

Sunday, I had to get out of the house. I could not take another day at home with the girls. So we went to Going Bonkers for a few hours. It was fun and not too crowded. Kate is getting braver and tried a few new things. Kaelyn climbed all over the place, there is no fear in her. They had a fun new arcade game, Deal or No Deal, where the briefcases have differing numbers of tickets in them. Two hundred tickets is the big prize. I made it to the end where I made a deal for 120 tickets. Kevin won 100. I tried to teach the girls to Ski-Ball but they aren’t doing too well with it. Kevin and Kaelyn played a mean game of air hockey. It was fun!

February Reading List

2009-02-28T13:19:00.003-07:00

February
Twelve Times Blessed by Jacquelyn Mitchard
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton
Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson
Switcheroo by Olivia Goldsmith

I think that's it. I have been reading a couple more books too but I'm not finished with them yet.

This and That

2009-02-23T08:27:00.003-07:00

It was a very short weekend. Karl's funeral was Saturday. It went very well, as far as funeral's go. Sunday was spent cleaning house and doing some errands and now it is back to work.

I have a busy week ahead and several projects that I need to finish up.

I am so ready for spring and green grass and flowers. Kaelyn and I looked at all the Easter decor at the stores yesterday. So cute.

And I can't think of much else to write today. Have a great Monday!

Hi Kevin!

2009-02-19T10:36:00.003-07:00

I found out yesterday that Kevin reads my blog! I really didn't think he did and it totally made my day that he would do that.

I guess I'll have to be a little more careful about what I write now ;)

My Cousin

2009-02-18T10:17:00.005-07:00

My cousin Karl's sixteen-month battle with Cancer came to an end on Monday. Some would say that Cancer won but I think it many ways, Karl won. He knew it was terminal from the beginning, that treatment could buy time, but not a cure. He chose to fight. He fought his battle with grace, determination and humor. For example. not long after being told that he was terminally ill, he asked me to set him up on a date with one of my friends. I looked at him dubiously, and he smiled and said, "Hey, just tell them I'm not looking for a long-term relationship." Last Halloween, he dressed up as the grim reaper. Dressed in his costume, he went up to our local diner, and looked in the windows at all the diners. He pointed a finger at one, then another, before entering the restaurant. He then announced, "Don't worry, I'm only here for the carrot cake."

Karl was always fiercely independent. That didn't change. Despite his illness, he didn't want to be dependent or a burden on anyone. He quickly bought a car so he could drive himself to his own chemo treatments and doctor appointments. There may have been a few times we wondered if he should still be driving but he fought for that right and I admire him for that. Karl died too young. I think he still had a lot of living to do.

Karl's mother, my Aunt Sue, was an amazing person. She also died much too young, also from cancer. The past sixteen months, I learned how much like his mom Karl was. My Aunt died a few months before my high school graduation. Despite the celebration around this event, I felt her absense so strongly. Karl came, and he wrote me the most beautiful letter that day, reminding me of my aunt's love for me. This is something I will never forget and I don't think I ever told him thank you for that.

I loved seeing Karl joke with my daughters and I am so glad they got to know him. Karl would ask Kaelyn who her favorite cousin was, and she would answer him "you are". I think I would have the same answer.

Rest in peace Karl, rest in peace.

I'm Too Sexy...

2009-02-12T19:52:00.002-07:00

While getting ready for work last week, Kaelyn noticed my shoes and said "Oh Mom...those shoes are sexy!" Wha? She saw my expression and changed her adjective to "cool" but then shyly asked "What does sexy mean?"

Quote of the Week

2009-02-09T10:19:00.002-07:00

Just read this quote and had to share it:

The best way to predict the future is to create it. ~Peter Drucker

The Hunter

2009-02-09T07:24:00.004-07:00

Long time readers of this blog (all two of you) will know that I am fascinated by the hunting instincts of our cat, Sam Henry. I am a lifelong dog person due to my mother's severe hatred of cats. It has taken my awhile to warm up to Sam but I am. Every night when the house is quiet, he comes and lays on my chest and sleeps. So sweet!

I don't know if it is his presence or what, but I have not seen one mouse this winter. This is the first time that has happened in the four winters we have been here. I even think it is cute that he leaves his prey on the porch for us to show he is earning his keep.

Until yesterday. Kevin called me out to show me that Sam Henry had left a dead squirrel in the front of the house. Kevin was amazed that Sam Henry had killed the squirrel! Mr. Squirrel was bigger than he is. But wait a minute...that dead squirrel looks familiar. Kaelyn and I had seen him laying in the neighbor's yard the day before when we were taking a walk. Sam Henry had just drug Mr. Squirrel home to earn some praise and hadn't done the killing at all.

I guess that's a good thing. Except now the girls want to add Mr. Squirrel to our rapidly growing pet cemetary in the back yard. And have a Squirrely funeral. I wonder if Sam Henry will come.

I'll spare you the grisly crime scene photos of Mr. Squirrel and share a picture of the little hunter being loved up by his girls.

Sacrifice

2009-02-04T14:27:00.002-07:00

1.Put your iPod/mp3 player/phone (whatever) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next song to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY," YOU SAY?Please Forgive Me/Bryan Adams
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?I want you, I need You, I love You/Elvis Presley
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I’ll Still Be Loving You/Restless Heart
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Epiphany At the Bistro/Eric Clapton
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Tiny Dancer/Elton John
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? This Love/Craig Armstrong
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? All We Need is a Dream/Cheap Trick
WHAT IS 2+2? The Bitch is Back/Elton John
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?(Back To The) Heartbreak Kid/Restless Heart
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? A Tender Lie/Restless HeartWHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Lying To The Moon/Trisha Yearwood
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I’m Over You/Keith Whitley
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? For Always/BeBe and CeCe Winans
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Long Lost Friend/Restless Heart
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Ten Feet Away/Keith Whitley
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? I Wonder Do You Think Of Me/George Strait
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? I Can Only Imagine/Rita Springer
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Little Jeannie/Elton John
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? By Heart, By Soul/Avalon and Aaron Neville
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Sad Songs (Say So Much) Elton John
HOW WILL YOU DIE?Ordinary Life/Kristen Barry
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Empty Nest/Eric Clapton
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Writhing Montage/Eric Clapton
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Keepin Out of Mischief Now/Ruby Braff
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Honky Cat/Elton John
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? This Flame/Margaret Becker
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? The Girl In The Pith Helmet/Eric Clapton
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Right or Wrong/George Strait
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Somebody/Bryan Adams
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Sacrifice/Elton John

Giving Thanks

2009-02-04T09:19:00.003-07:00

God works in amazing ways. That's nothing new but some days, it is just so apparant that you can't help but be amazed by the wonderment of it all. My heart broke when I left my job last April. It was one of the hardest times I have ever went through. But then I was brought here, to my new job and it is so amazing and good. I am learning new things every day and getting to try new things to grow as a professional. And I get to work with people that are so amazing. It is refreshing to work with people that I respect and can learn from. I just left a meeting with a client who is having a difficult time. Watching one of my co-workers work with her and treat her with dignity and respect and actually help her...it is just amazing. It is humbling to me. And I am so very thankful to be here. So thank you God, for knowing that I needed a change and pushing me in the right direction. Now if only I would have listened earlier, maybe I would have a few less grey hairs.

Friday Fragments!

2009-01-30T19:04:00.004-07:00

It's that time again...time for Friday Fragments!

I watched a season's worth of Private Practice this week to clear up some space on the DVR. It was better than I expected and now I am all caught up and just in time for the big Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice crossover event next week. Can you say February Sweeps?
*********************************************************
I joined the YMCA and even went once this week. Next week, my goal is two times. Baby steps.
*********************************************************
I am lucky to have the best mom in the world, and today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
*********************************************************
I still have a whole season of My Name is Earl to watch.
*********************************************************
Isn't it funny how the guys we didn't have the time of day for in our younger years are now the cutest men? Gotta love Facebook.
**********************************************************
Presented a three hour training to our residential staff today. It was really invigorating. I never thought I would see the day that I would be invigorated by standing up and talking in front or a room full of people.
**********************************************************
Life really is like a box of chocolates. And I love the fruit filled ones. You know the ones with the pastel pink cream or orange filling?
**********************************************************
I am going to attempt to make homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries this weekend to take to work to give to my coworkers for Valentines Day. The recipe says they take a few weeks to "cure" whatever that means.
**********************************************************
That's all folks!
***************************************************************
If you are interested in doing a Friday Fragment, join Mrs 4444 over atHalf Past Kissin Time.

Awesomeness

2009-01-28T09:24:00.004-07:00

Greetings! Bad weather kept me home yesterday and today I am home with a sick baby. I am getting caught up on a few things so it's not all bad.

Like, I just got tickets to this:

Elton John and Billy Joel: Face2Face concert!

I am so excited! Kevin and I both adore Elton John and while I got to see him live in Las Vegas with Sheila and Enola (bad topic that we don't bring up), Kevin never has. He came to Columbia a few years ago but tickets sold out fast. But this time, we are going to St. Louis to see what will be an amazing show. How can you go wrong with Elton John AND Billy Joel. From what I have read, they start out face-to-face, or rather piano to piano on the stage, singing duets. Then they each do their own shows and end together. Awesome!

Lessons From Kaelyn Part Two

2009-01-24T19:44:00.003-07:00

Kaelyn taught this lesson first to her Grandma and then later to me on Inaugeration Day. It's a lesson in history. I am having her narrate as it's a pretty involved and complicated lesson.

A long time ago, there were white persons and dark persons. And all the light persons got to be queen and kings. And the dark persons didn't get to have what they wanted, only what the queens and kings got to say they could. And one day the President Abraham Lincoln came and said "It's okay for people to have what they want!" And one light person said to another person to kill Abraham Lincoln.

The story changes a bit in each retelling. When she first told us, the dark persons were "brown persons" and President Obama was our first brown president. Also the brown persons were servants, rather than slaves. Very interesting. What is funny to me is how in her retelling, it sounds like a fairy tale...

Lessons from Kaelyn

2009-01-24T19:40:00.004-07:00

I learn so much from my little kindergartener that I just feel compelled to pass them on. Today's lesson is a science lesson.

It seems that the human brain is similar to a large ball of gum. Memories and smart stuff stick to it. There is red stuff surrounding the brain. If you get something really smart, it blasts like a lightening bolt to another red thing. It is super cool and awesome.

Friday Fragments

2009-01-23T08:05:00.004-07:00

It's that time again...time for Friday Fragments!

Okay, who cried while watching Grey's Anatomy last night?

*********************************************************
I am planning on joining the YMCA today. As soon as I get done on the computer, that is.

*********************************************************
Cancer really, really sucks.

*********************************************************
I a very happy that my husband has Saturday and Sunday off this weekend.

*********************************************************
I just finished feeding the dog, watering the hermit crabs and petting the cat. And I cleaned out the bird cage. Aren't pets fun?

**********************************************************
I did nine job interviews this week at work. Seven of those were with people with developmental disabilities which makes for a very interesting interview.

***********************************************************
I don't know what I would do without my Mom and Dad.

***********************************************************
Kaelyn at five, amazes me with her insight and intellect. She is one smart cookie!

***********************************************************
Kate at three, just likes to eat cookies.

************************************************************
I miss my dog Bailey so much. I miss him sleeping under the covers with me.

************************************************************
I can't wait for Hollywood week on Idol.

*************************************************************
I have to work until 8 pm again tonight teaching my Crisis Prevention class.

*************************************************************
If you are interested in doing a Friday Fragment, join Mrs 4444 over atHalf Past Kissin Time.

House Tour Post One

2009-01-19T18:55:00.007-07:00

I am about to embark on my most involved blog project to date. I guess it's also my first blog project as well. Over the next few weeks, or months, I am going to post a house tour. I love my home and want to share it.

We're not entirely sure of the age of our house but is around ninety years old. I will write a post someday soon about what I know of the house's history.

First on the tour is the dining room, located smack dab in the middle of the house.

The most important thing in the dining room is the dining room table. I bought this table in 1993 and it has made many moves with me...more then I can count. My dining room is decorated in blue and yellow. My favorite flower is a blue hydrangea and that was the inspiration for my room. The picture that hangs on the opposite wall was from Home Interiors. I saw it in a catalog and had to have it. It was years before I would have a dining room to hang it but I hung on to it until I did.

The dining room table again. That is a bowl with lemons on it. The table cloth I just got today at Artichoke Annie's in Columbia. It is somewhat difficult to find stuff in yellow and blue. I am now on the hunt for a rug to go under the table. We bought our house in 2005 and shortly after I bought this plaid wallpaper. Last Christmas, I mentioned it to my mother-in-law and the next thing I knew we were painting and wallpapering. I love the room now. The yellow is so warm and sunshiney good.

The china cabinet is built in. It holds a lot of stuff. The blue and white plates are Currier and Ives and we have an entire set that belonged to Kevin's grandparents. There is a lot of other odds and ends in there that I have collected over the years. On top is my Fiesta Ware collection.

This wall is a hodge podge that has never come together for me. The silver tree picture frame on the right was a gift from Woodhaven for my tenth anniversary of working there. I haven't put any pictures in it yet. The white shelf kind of hides the thermostats.

This is the opposite wall of the one above and is an outside wall. The black cabinet houses Kevin's Compaq computer that he refuses to get rid of despite it being over a decade old. The picture of the girls is one taken Christmas 2006. They were tired of having their pictures taken and I just loved the expressions on their faces. The blue rooster I fell in love with at Hobby Lobby but he was expensive so I had to wait for one of their 50% off sales. The writing on the wall to the right reads "Having someone to love is Family. Having somewhere to go is Home. Having both is a Blessing." It's one of those rub-off quotes. The blue oval above it is a ceramic plaque that reads "First Star to the right and straight on til morning." My sister gave it to me and it means the world to me. I love Tinkerbell and Peter Pan! The cobalt blue vase my other sister gave to me.

This table sits in front of the window, obviously. There are different family pictures on there. The lamp Kevin gave me for Valentines Day last year. Kevin's Dad made the table.

This cute little table I got at an antique store in Columbia. It's a phone stand and has built in magazine holders on the sides. The paint is worn and it is very shabby chic! There is a vase of hydrangeas on the table and some more family pictures. It also holds the phone and what looks to be a milltion phonebooks. Note to self: throw out some phone books! The doorway to the right leads to the kitchen.

This picture shows the hard wood floors that are newly refinished. It also shows Kate.

This plant is one I have been trying to kill due to neglect but that Kevin is now saving. I did buy the pretty blue watering thing and stuck it in there. The plant does seem happier now. It is serious need of more dirt. I think it got knocked over one too many times.

This is the last shot of the dining room looking back into the living room. The doorway on the left goes into the office area. The first door on the right goes upstairs and the second door goes into my closet. That door is nailed shut and I only use the other side. I'll explain more about that later.

So, that's my dining room. I hope you enjoyed our first stop on the home tour.

Precious Moments

2009-01-19T07:55:00.002-07:00

I bought myself a fancy new digital video camera for Christmas. It's really nice and someday I may even figure out how to use all the features. When Kaelyn was born, we bought a video camera, but in five years, it was already outdated. I was missing out on Kate growing up, preserving all those precious moments. So in a moment of online shopping fury, I bought one of the Home Shopping Network.

But it's those little moments that occur when there's a camera no where near that you wish you could preserve. Like this morning. Kate and I had went upstairs to wake Kaelyn up. Kate, bossy as usual, was telling Kaelyn something. To emphasize her point, she added "Kaelyn Mae" with as much attitude as she could muster (which is a lot). I am still giggling. She was so not trying to be funny, but it was. I know, you had to be there. It's only been in the past few weeks that Kate has started calling Kaelyn "Kaelyn" and not "Kae Kae" much to Kaelyn's delight. It appears Kaelyn thinks she has outgrown being called "Kae Kae".

It's these moments, these little interactions, that make them so precious to me and make me want to freeze time right to this moment and not let them age another year or grow another inch.

MInd Meanderings

2009-01-18T18:45:00.003-07:00

It's Sunday night again with very little accomplished for the weekend. I did get a bit of house cleaning done with Mom's help yesterday. We had a nice family dinner at Mom and Dad's today. The rest of the time, the girls and I hung out.

I got some new body spray in the flavor Buttercream Vanilla. I put some on and Kaelyn commented that I smelled like pudding! Everybody likes pudding, so you can't beat that! It really does smell yummy.

Kevin is teaching Kaelyn how to play checkers. She is quite good, but her mind works that way. I hate checkers and she keeps begging me to play with her. I feel bad but I really hate checkers. They are playing a "challenge" at the moment and she wants everyone to watch. She doesn't understand that checkers isn't that fun to watch.

I made a really yummy chicken pot pie last night. It was so easy and was really good. Comfort food at it's best. Mom made pot roast today...more comfort food. I am feeling rather full tonight.

We played musical beds again last night. I fell asleep on the couch watching Friday Night Lights. Around 12:30, Kate came down and had to use the bathroom. She needed help with her jammies. She felt really warm to me, so I had her lay down on the couch with me. I woke up a bit later, very squished and moved to the opposite end of the couch. A few hours later, I went and got into my bed. Here came Kaelyn at 4:30 am saying she couldn't sleep. She crawled in with us, squishing me again. I hate to be squished when I sleep. I dozed off but then woke up enough to go up to her bed. And that's where they found me this morning.

I just love kids in footie jammies. I think the world would be a better place if that was the only clothes we all wore. We all just went around in footie jammies all the time. That would be so great.

And what do you think of my new back ground?

2009 Book List

2009-01-18T11:11:00.003-07:00

I have always wanted to keep a list of books that I read over the course of years time. This year I am going to do it, right here!

January
A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Beach House by Jane Green
Mark's Story by Tim LaHaye

That's all so far. I wonder, should Audio Books count? I am thinking, yes, they should count and will have one to add soon.

The Office

2009-01-18T11:00:00.004-07:00

This is where I spend my days. I didn't realize it was so messy until I looked at the pictures. OH well, it's organized mess. When I started it was a drab white room that needed painting. I painted it myself. The desk and library table came from Kemper Military School and still has Kemper stationary and hall passes in the drawers. The stuff on the book case in my next project...developing a resource library.

Friday Night Lights

2009-01-16T17:22:00.003-07:00

Yay!! Friday Night Lights is back on tonight. I love that show. I'll add it to my lengthy list of shows I have taped on the DVR that I never get to watch!

Friday Fragments

2009-01-15T10:16:00.012-07:00

After half a school year, I still get a little lump in my throat each morning when I drop Kaelyn off at school. The school is so big and she is so little. She can hardly open the front door of the school on her own, for pity’s sake!
************************************************************
Call me skeptical, but I really doubt that no two snowflakes are the same. How do they know?
************************************************************
I do not like four judges on American Idol. Nothing personal, I just don’t like change. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
************************************************************
I am so much happier than I was this time last year.
************************************************************
The Terrible Two’s are now the Terrible Three’s.
************************************************************
I had to stop at the store on the way to work to buy boots to warm my feet because it was that cold.
************************************************************
There are things about the Amish lifestyle that I find very enticing.
************************************************************
Cancer sucks.
************************************************************
I love seeing old friends on Facebook. And some old enemies too.
************************************************************
We are all more alike than we are different.
************************************************************
I can never figure out when to use “then” or “than” in sentences.
************************************************************
I am hungry for some Dinty Moore Beef Stew.
************************************************************
We are 5 for 5 on oversleeping this week.
************************************************************
If you are interested in doing a Friday Fragment, join Mrs 4444 over atHalf Past Kissin Time.

Empty Nest

2009-01-14T18:15:00.004-07:00

I realize that I was whining a bit in my last post. My days are crazy and exhausting and sometimes frustrating. But I remember the years before I was married and had the girls. My life was still busy but there was an emptiness that was always with me. And I know soon enough, my house will be empty again, the girls away at college. And therefore, I embrace these crazy days and am truly trying to cherish every minute of them. Time goes too fast.

Ballet Night

2009-01-13T19:01:00.005-07:00

Good Golly Molly, it has already been a very looooonnnngggg week.

It's Ballet night and I am always exhausted on ballet night. I rush home from work, get the kids, fight with Kaelyn to get her to go to ballet, drop Kate off with Mom and Dad, drive back to town, sit through ballet, drive back home, pick up Kate, and try to get them to bed on time. I feel like I ran a marathon. Every Tuesday.

And that was one heck of a run-on sentence. Sorry about that.

Kate has been the best child about going to bed. Until she turned three. We've been having a few problems the past few weeks. It's like she finally realized that she is missing something when she heads upstairs to bed. She gets her blanket yelling, "I DO IT!" And then she must turn the light on herself again saying "I DO IT!" She climbs up the long flight of stairs, dragging her blankie behind her. I can't start up the stairs until she is at the top and she turns around and says "You turn". Once upstairs, she shuts the bedroom door, and rings the doorbell to their bedroom, and then knocks. She instructs me to knock, and then finally opens the door. She climbs into bed and I must cover her with her blanket. We kiss, hug and say "Wuv you". I go back downstairs and sit down for a moment, to take a breath.

And less than three minutes later, I hear her upstairs calling my name. I try to ignore her for a few minutes but she is persistant. I yell up at her, and she yells back that she has to potty. I tell her to come on down. She does, she potties. And then we have to do the entire routine again. The entire thing.

This is going on while Kaelyn sits in the living room, whining that she can't eat her cheetos without cartoons on. The DVR is recording The Biggest Loser and American Idol for me so I can't turn on cartoons, much to Kaelyn's dismay. She is going to starve to death as she keeps repeatedly crying and whining to me. Kaelyn is my drama queen. I love them dearly but they wear me out. Especially on ballet night.

Yes, I have grand illusions that I will someday have the time to watch American Idol and The Biggest Loser but I can dare to dream.

Hump Day

2009-01-07T17:35:00.004-07:00

Hump Day already! It's been a good week. The girls have been wonderful to get ready in the mornings. I have gotten up each day at 6 am and done the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout and then in the evening did the Yoga workout. I know its only been three days but tt's a start and you have to start somewhere. And I am already feeling stronger. They are both really good workouts.

I have been busy at work, but am getting a lot accomplished. I have officially been there three months now and am happy about that. It was a hard decision for me to start a new job, but I am glad I did.

Nothing else new around here.

Back to Reality

2009-01-04T18:24:00.003-07:00

I am so glad that school starts again tomorrow and we can get back on routine. It is so funny...last fall, I really dreaded school starting but now it's great. The girls do quite well in the mornings and we are used to getting up early and getting out the door. It's been a nice holiday break but we are ready for our lives back.

It was a fun weekend with my sister and family here from Nebraska. Good food, games, presents, laughs...it doesn't get any better than that! We had Kate's birthday party here on Saturday and it went well. On the way back to mom's, she fell on the step and scraped her knee. I got her bandaged up, and within thirty minutes she was sound asleep on the chair. We carried her in to the bed and she slept for several hours. I had to wake her up. This is pretty unheard of from Kate so she must have been tired. And then we realized that she hit her head when she fell too! We were a little concerned about concussion for awhile and called my nurse sister back to assess the situation. But all is well.

So, the tree is down, the house is clean and tomorrow is a new day. Finally!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T21:07:00.003-07:00

It's a new year! 2009...full of all kinds of possibilities.

Sad

2008-12-30T20:10:00.004-07:00

After a very rough weekend, Bailey passed away yesterday morning. We had decided to have him put to sleep as he was very ill. I held him and cried tears on his little furry head, before leaving for work. Kevin made the difficult trip to the vet with Bailey, but when they got back to the exam room, and Kevin laid him down, Bailey passed away on his own. My poor sweet baby. I miss him terribly but it broke my heart to see him so sick and suffering.

Kevin brought him back home and buried him in the backyard where he liked to run (away). I can still see my mom chasing him last summer across the backyard, yelling (cussing)his name even though he couldn't hear a thing. Bailey always knew the way from our house to Mom and Dad's and would go straight there when he got out. He would visit for awhile and then head back home. I have a million George Bailey stories but suffice to say that he was loved and he will be missed.

You're Invited

2008-12-28T19:52:00.004-07:00

This is as close as I am going to get to sending out Kate's invitations this year, I am afraid! If you are reading this, consider yourself invited. Except where the invitation says 2 pm, it really means 6 pm because I forgot that Kevin works on Saturdays. Duh!

Happy Birthday Kate

2008-12-28T15:08:00.004-07:00

It's my baby's third birthday today. Kate was due January 1, but a scheduled C-Section brought her into the world on December 28, 2005. The doctor thought she was going to be too big to deliver naturally but she ended up being the exact same height and weight that Kaelyn was. 8 lbs. 11 oz.

Kater, as we call her, is so different from her sister. She is more reserved and has a very strong personality. She can scowl one second and then her face will light up with the prettiest smile and the biggest dimples the next. She is independent and fun. She has completed our little family perfectly. We love you Kate. Happy Birthday little girl.

And now we are off to Chuck E. Cheese to party like three-year olds!

George Bailey

2008-12-27T18:54:00.004-07:00

George Bailey came into my life ten Christmas's ago, on December 22, 1998. He's a wire-fox terrier (terror) that turned my life upside down. He was my best friend and now it doesn't look like he'll make it through the night. There is nothing I can do to help him, the vet thought it was likely that he had cancer. I opted to not have him biopsied because of his other problems: he is deaf, blind, and epileptic. Kevin said it best last night, "Despite humping stranger's legs, peeing and pooping on the floor, scratching all night in bed, scratching up the antique doors in our home, tearing down our mini blinds, despite all that, I liked the little guy." So did I and my heart is breaking.

Christmas Jammies

2008-12-26T17:52:00.009-07:00

Starting my own little family made me consider Christmas traditions, old and new, that I wanted to implement for my children. One of the traditions I had as a child, that I have continued with my children, is the opening of one present on Christmas Eve. The first catch is I get to pick the present out. The second catch is that the present contains Christmas jammies for my babies to wear on Christmas Eve to make the visions of sugar plums especially sweet (and yea, to make for adorable Chrismtas morning pictures.) Here are the Christmas Eve pictures for the past three years:

2006

2007

(they were a little would up this year and I never did get a good shot of them)

2008

2008-12-26T09:50:00.003-07:00

Christmas is over and I am back to work. It's quiet around here today and I don't have much to do.

I got good news yesterday and have to say a huge THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this answered prayer.

We had a wonderful Christmas eve and Christmas day. The girls were thrilled with their presents. Kaelyn and I played her new games all evening and it was so fun, now that we can do stuff like that together. Kate isn't too good at games yet. I will post pictures soon.

Kate's birthday is Sunday and her party is January 3. I need to do a few things to get ready for that but am going to keep it simple this year. Or more simple.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T15:18:00.004-07:00

I thought I would take a quick break from the crazy that is my life and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. It's been a year of change for us but it's been good and we are very thankful for all of our blessings. We will have a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas day with our little family. Next weekend, my entire family will celebrate Christmas together so I will enjoy the quiet this weekend! The girls are so excited about Santa Claus coming tonight. I am too!

I got an early present that I bought myself...a new digital camcorder so I will have video of Christmas morning to share! Everyone have a wonderful day!

Angel in Training

2008-12-21T20:09:00.003-07:00

Today was the Christmas pagent at church. Kaelyn played an "angel in training" meaning she didn't have a speaking part and just followed the lead angel around. She did a great job during the play but once home, I quickly realized that she needs more training. And don't even get me started on her sister. She can't even go to church, she's so rowdy, and had to stay back with her Papa.

Christmas Pictures

2008-12-19T20:30:00.003-07:00

Foto Friday

2008-12-19T13:10:00.002-07:00

Here are the girls and Kevin on his birthday. Kaelyn helped him blow his candles out and then we had to relight them so Kate could help blow.

Our Christmas tree.

Kate decked out in her snow gear and eating a popcicle! That's my girl!

Strep Throat

2008-12-18T15:43:00.002-07:00

Let's just say that it has been a long week. We had our CARF survey at work. For those of you not in the know, that is a big deal where people come to your agency every three years and check everything out. I have to say that this was a million times less stressful as an HR Coordinator than as a Program Manager. We came through it with flying colors and everyone is breathing a huge sigh of relief that it is over and done with for another three years.

So, along with that drama, Kaelyn starts feeling sick Sunday night. I had to be at work on Monday, no ifs and or buts and had to be there extra early. I took Kaelyn to Mom and Dad's and she went on the school at 8 am. At 3:15, I get a call from the sitter that Kaelyn is crying, saying her throat hurts and burning up. I head home to get her and as soon as we walk into the house, she is throwing up. This continued for the next five hours. The throwing up eneded but she ran a fever on and off through last night. I took her to the doctor this morning and yep, she has strep throat. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in fast.

During my hours at home this week, I did manage to get some stuff done and we may have a Christmas at our house after all. That is, if the expedited shipping I paid for from Toys R Us, J.C. Penney's, and the ebay folks pays off. I got my Christmas cards ordered and picked up. I haven't had time to take any Christmas shots yet so I had to use some unconventional pictures on the cards. I think they're cute and that is what counts!

Fighting the Crowds

2008-12-13T17:52:00.003-07:00

Went to the mall today. And now I know why I prefer online shopping. I just went to have lunch with some friends, didn't even try to shop. It was crazy. I can't tell that this recession is stopping people from spending. Looked like a lot of spending going on to me. And the parking lot...it took forever to find a spot. I had both girls with me, so I stuck them in a cart to make sure they didn't get ran over in the lot. It's just not worth it.

Sleigh Ride

2008-12-10T18:28:00.001-07:00

My favorite Christmas carol:

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you,
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop,
At the fireplace while we watch
the chestnuts pop. Pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the chocolate
and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you,
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

After Picture

2008-12-08T19:22:00.002-07:00

I am still sick. I stayed home today and spend the entire day on the couch. I did catch up on some TV: three episodes of The Office, one Desperate Housewives and two Grey's Anatomys. Have I mentioned that I love my DVR? I was awake all night coughing, coughing, coughing. I am going to try to get into a doctor tomorrow.

Here is a picture of the dining room floor. I am so happy with it. I need a rug now for under the table but it's going to be hard to find one in my dining room colors of blue and yellow.

Sorry So Short

2008-12-07T19:16:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have been missing in action this past week. We have been working furiously on the dining room floor. I had to threaten to skip decorating for Christmas unless the floor was done first and it must have worked because the floor is done and the Christmas tree is up. What a relief!

Things are hectic at work as we prepare for the upcoming CARF survey. Plus I am on the planning committee for the holiday party next Friday. I had new employees to orient last week and also an eight hour class. And on top of everything else, I have been sick for what feels like forever.

But enough of the whining, time to get my big girl to bed.

Serendipitous

2008-12-02T19:43:00.003-07:00

I am not really sure if the following story is "serendipitous" but I like the word and it's not one you can use all that often so that is the title and I am sticking to it.

Here is the story: We took a rental car to Oklahoma. It was a really, really nice Buick Lucerne. It has heated seats, and a heated steering wheel and a million other buttons that I had fun playing with, but I digress. Kevin returned the car to Enterprise on Tuesday after supposedly unloading it. I coudln't find my check book Tuesday morning and I needed to pay our babysitter but I was in a hurry so grabbed a new set of checks, made the payment and went on to work. I didn't think another thing about it.

Until Saturday. My mom called me and asked if I had ever found my check book. I said no, but that I hadn't really looked for it and that I was sure it was around here somewhere. She replied "I don't think so". It seems that my babysitter had called her and told her that when they had went to return THEIR rental car, she had checked the glove box and lo and behold, my check book was in there. That is more than a coincidence! Serendipitous, I tell ya!

We live in a small town of 200 people, about 40 miles from the Enterprise rental place. There are three Enterprise rental places in Columbia that she could have went to. What really are the chances that she would rent the same car, immediately after we did, and then not only know who I was, but someone that she sees every day. Strange...enter freaky Twilight Zone music here...do do do do, do, do, do do.

She told me yesterday that it was just by luck that she even had that car. She said they already were doing paperwork on another car, when she happened to ask about the Buick's. There were five of them on the lot, and she was told she could upgrade for an extra $3 a day. They popped the trunk on this one to show her how much room it had, then told her to pick the color. She really liked the white, thought about the purple for a second, then just went with the one with the trunk up.

Regardless, I was so happy to know that my check book was home safe and sound, even though I didn't know it was missing.

Our Trip Home

2008-11-27T09:08:00.005-07:00

We've been home for a few days but today is the first day I have stopped running long enough to blog anything. There will be more pictures to come, but first, here is a summary of our trip home on Monday.

9:27 am: Left the cabin and headed home.

9:29 am: Stopped at the Mountineer General Store for a soda for Kevin.

9:45 am: Stopped for gas and for Kate to go to the "potty". She didn't go.

10:12 am: Stopped for Kate to use the potty. She didn't go again.

10:29 am: Stopped on the roadside so I could take some pictures. See above.

11:30 am: Stopped to ask for directions. Kevin got a pop, chips and two smoked sausages.

12:15 am: Stopped for a potty break. Kate looked at the toilet stools, said "nasty" and refused to even sit on the seats. I, on the other hand, used them.
1:00 pm: Pulled over for speeding. Kevin was driving and got a speeding ticket in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Nice.

1:30 pm: Switched drivers.

2:00 pm: Potty break for Kate...again. She didn't go...again. OH what fun it is to ride with a newly-potty-trained two-year-old.

4:30 pm: Bathroom break and switched drivers. Notice the space between stops? Everyone else was taking a nap.

5:30 pm: Stopped for gas.

6:30 pm: Home at last!

2008-11-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

In loving memory of my Uncle Tim....

We're off like a herd of turtles!!!!

2008-11-20T15:09:00.002-07:00

Here is the afore promised picture of our dining room floor. It still looks much the same. It will be a miracle if it ever finished. That or I'll have to call a professional. Obviously my picture reader thingee is off strike. Amazing what restarting the computer will fix. We are off to Oklahoma. This should tide you over until I get back.

Foto Friday (a day early)

2008-11-20T15:06:00.001-07:00

I call this one "Unsuspecting"

Today's Carnage

2008-11-20T14:59:00.004-07:00

This is what was on my front porch when I got home today. It must have been a busy evening for our little hunter. I know it's gross but I can't help thinking it is really cute how cats bring they catch to show off to their people.

Warning: the following picture is NOT for the faint of heart. I'd like to say that no animals were harmed but obviously that is not true.

Im Alive!

2008-11-19T10:07:00.003-07:00

If you would have asked me yesterday, I wouldn't have been so sure. Not only that but I wasn't sure that I wanted to be alive.

It all started Sunday night. I put Kate to bed and a few hours later, she was fussing and crying. I went upstairs and laid down with her to get her to back to sleep. A few hours later, she was crying again. We changed beds and went back to sleep. This went on all night, until around 5 am when I noticed a strange smell coming from Kate. I checked her panties and yep, she had sharted (my word for the day, thanks to Bambi!) But the next morning she seemed fine so I took her to the sitter and went to work (Sitters, don't you just love parents like me?). That evening, the sitter commented that she hadn't wanted to eat but that was all. She looked and acted fine all evening and went to bed good.

So during the night, I wake up fussing and crying. Really I did. Ask Kevin, he'll tell you. My stomach was hurting so badly, I was trying to figure out what organ needed taken out. I toughed it out until 4 am when I had to use the bathroom. It's a long walk from our bedroom to our bathroom. I had never noticed how far it was before. But I almost made it. I threw up all over the bathroom floor.

So I stayed home from work, basically comotose on the couch all day. I feel better today but still achy and kind of dizzy. But I am alive, and that is better than the alternative.

Wish It Were Sunday

2008-11-17T17:08:00.003-07:00

Today wasn't a very good day. I'll just leave it at that.

And in case you were wondering why I didn't post a picture of my dining room floor, it's because my computer picture card reader thing must be on strike. It does that sometimes.

Extreme Home Makeover

2008-11-15T15:45:00.005-07:00

It has always been my dream to purchase an old fixer upper home, the bigger the better. I just love old homes. Our home was build in the early 1900's. The previous owners did a lot of work remodeling it and updating it. When we bought it almost four years ago, we immediately fell in love with it. It was an old home, but was like new inside. Slowly, we have added our personal touches here and there. The entire house was all white walls and now they are all differenrt colors. We tore up the gold carpet in the third bedroom upstairs when we found out Kate was coming. We refinised the hard woor floors that were beneath the carpet. This summer we started tearing up the carpet on the main floor. We refinished the master bedroom floor and the foyer. In September, we started on the rest of the rooms...the living room the dining room and the office/laundry room.

Which brings me to today...whose idea was this anyway????

I have been on my hands and knees all day trying to get this stuff up off of the floor so we can get it sanded and varnished before I want to decorate for the holidays. And it still looks like this...

Big Sigh!
...

Friday Fragments

2008-11-14T19:03:00.008-07:00

I just saw this on Gayla's site and had to join. I am all about fragments. So here goes...
*************************************************
You know you are with good friends when you laugh so hard that you almost pee your pants not once, but twice in the same evening.
*************************************************
I think I'll join the YMCA this coming week. I have, have, have to start exercising.
*************************************************
Absense does make the heart grow fonder. I am really anxious for Kevin to get home from work tonight.
*************************************************
I wish I could figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I really envy those people that have their acts together. Or maybe that's just an act too????
*************************************************
It's good to be home but my house really has a stink. I can't identify it but I will be getting the bleach out tomorrow and doing some major cleaning.
*************************************************
If I were home for four days all by myself, the house would already be spotless.
*************************************************
I am now trained to train people on how to handle crisis situations. Crisis anyone?
*************************************************
This time next week, we'll be here

Join in Friday Fragments with Mrs.4444 here

2008-11-14T18:57:00.002-07:00

Conference $1289
Lunches at hotel for four days $52.65
Drinks out with friends $64.90
Presents to bring home for girls $20.01

Seeing my babies after four days...PRICELESS!

I'm Going Home

2008-11-14T06:06:00.003-07:00

I get to go home today! Well, this afternoon to be exact. I can't wait. I talked to both girls last night on the phone and their little voices almost brought me to tears. So sweet. It almost makes me forget that I was calling them horse's behinds before I left town Monday night.

What? You've never called your children horse's behinds? Okay, maybe it wasn't all that appropriate but sometimes they just are.

Anyway, it's been a good week. We had dinner out last night and then came back here. We had a few glasses of wine and watched Grey's Anatomy and ER and then decided that TV has become quite a downer. They were good episodes but sad. Dead or not, Denny is still a cutie, and I love him with Izzy.

But we had some good laughs in between the angst of the television shows. My friends are funny, funny people. They make me funny and I get to show off my witty side. My wit is usually lost on the girls.

Today I have to present in class today so I am a little nervous about that. It will be fine but still a little anxious!

Emergency Room

2008-11-13T06:55:00.002-07:00

Class was really good yesterday. There is nothing like a good presenter to liven up a four day class. I am going to have to beef up my presenting skills. The good news is that today in class, we talk about just that!

Our other friends got here last night and we went to a pub for a few drinks and dinner. Sheila wasn't feeling well so we ended up at the emergency room with her. You know you are with good friends when sitting in an ER waiting room is fun! Of course the two margaritas prior to that probably helped. Sheila had a really bad bladder infection so we were glad we made her go.

I didn't get to bed until late so am feeling tired this morning. Need. Coffee. Now.

Kansas City

2008-11-11T19:39:00.003-07:00

Greetings from Kansas City! I made it here safe and sound last night. As I tried to pack, the girls were driving me nuts. And then I felt bad that they were driving me nuts because really all they wanted was attention. I got them over to Mom and Dad's and they started acting so sweet, I didn't want to leave.

But class today was really good. The instructor made the class lots of fun. This is a class I will be teaching at my new job so I was trying to pay close attention. I went to lunch at the hotel with the lady sitting next to me. She is an RN from Springfield and teaches this class at the hospital where she works. She has taught for four years now so she gave me some good advice. That was nice.

Enola is at class tonight so I am at her house alone. I usually like being alone but it is SO quiet. I miss my girls. Kevin too. I am looking forward to our trip to Oklahoma next weekend. We need some extended family time.

Leaving Town

2008-11-10T08:04:00.002-07:00

Monday morning and back to work. It's funny, for so many years, I said that I couldn't do a "traditional" 9-5 job. I hated morning and liked my flexibility. But now that I have gotten into my routine, I love it. Of course, I am up every day anyway, getting Kaelyn ready for school. But I like the mornings now. Wow! That's a huge change for me.

Anywho...I am at work and have just a few things to get done then I am going to cut out of here. I leave for Kansas City tonight for a four day training for work. I have to get packed and the girls packed to go to Grandma and Papa's for the week. I am looking forward to the training and also I get to stay with Enola and that is always fun. Sheila is coming down on Wednesday so we get some girls time.

Our Saturday

2008-11-08T19:01:00.003-07:00

It ended up being a pretty good day despite my little alarm clock waking me at 6 am. Doesn't she know it's Saturday and we get to sleep in?

Mom came over and helped me sort clothes and organize my closet a bit. I always work better when Mom helps me. Thanks Mom! Then she took Kate home while Kaelyn and I went to Columbia to get some stuff we needed. We had a nice afternoon. It's time like that when I realize how mature she is getting. She listens (for the most part) and we talk and just enjoy being together.

Kevin works tomorrow so Mom and I are going to tackle the upstairs. We need to take down Kate's crib and the diaper changing table. Sad! She is growing up way to fast too. They drive me nuts but I love them so much!

Bubbles

2008-11-08T06:08:00.004-07:00

When Kate is being especially demanding or unruly, I will suggest that she take a "bubble" which is Kate language for a bath. This usually gives me thirty to forty mintues of peace.

I am thinking it's a bad sign for today that it's only 7:10 am and Kate is already in the bubble.

Nevermind!

2008-11-07T14:39:00.002-07:00

Nevermind my last post...my new design is already up. Now that is fast service! Shabby Creations is that awesome!

New Look!

2008-11-07T14:35:00.004-07:00

Stay tuned for my new holiday blog design. I know traditionally, one shouldn't decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't wait. I just purchaed my new design from here:

Which is the same place where my current design came from. I love her work...check it out!

The Atlasta

2008-11-06T09:26:00.004-07:00

You wouldn't have found it on any historical registry, it wasn't located in a historical district and it wasn't protected by the Friends of Historic Boonville, but in my opinion they tore down a Boonville landmark this week.

The Atlasta Motel ceases to exist. During high school and my early days of college, my friends and I would rent a room and use it as a home base for our night outs. We had some great parties there. When I moved to Nebraska, and came back to town to visit, I would always stay at the Atlasta. It may not have had many amenities, but it was cheap. And it was home.

The Atlasta sat like a beacon, there on it's prime location next to Interstate 70. How many times did I drive by it and not even think about it? I had lived here for many years before I even realized what it's name stood for...I just always thought of it as the Atlasta. At Last A Motel...get it? And for many years, that is probably what many people thought as they drove that endless stretch of highway. Now the Super 8 and the Comfort Inn catch the travelers befre they reached the Atlasta, but thost motels just don't have the same appeal.

Oh the Atlasta, the stories your walls could tell, if they hadn't torn you down. Except my stories...those are best kept hush, hush. Just between the two of us, okay?

Day Out With Thomas

2008-11-03T18:43:00.006-07:00

Yesterday we made the most of the beautiful fall weather and went to St. Louis to see Thomas the Tank Engine. It was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of our day:
Thomas the Tank Engine. He was so cute in person!

The girls waiting to get on the big slide. Kate is catching up to Kaelyn in heighth!

Kaelyn on the train, all smiles.

The view of St. Louis during the train ride.

Me and the girls on the train.

Kate on the train, not so certain!

Riding the little train.

Tattoo time...Hey, it's Thomas on my hand!

Kaelyn's tattoo. I had to scrub that sucker off this morning before she went to school.

Kate and Sir Topam Hat...she wasn't going to get too close.