WHeee! Going to work....

I got called in at 0900, it was a blessing! It will work out perfect for tonight and tomorrow. We haven't got any plans yet for tonight....(working on it) and tomorrow is Christmas @ the ranch. So, anyhow, I have gifts to wrap...(procrastinated!) and a few dishes to cook up.
Have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR! Be sure to kiss your sweetie on midnight!

Naked BIG Bah-hoo-key?

Okay, I did well today. I packed a healthy lunch for work (went at 7:30 am) and drank LOTS of water. Unusual for me, as I hate using the train potty.... try to use the great outdoors more. Who care's who see's my BIG naked butt! Anyhow, I ellipticaled for 20 mins. and lifted some weights. Jeffey is my personal trainer on the weights, as I know nothing about them.... just need some results FAST! Today, I have the results..... PAIN! SORE MUSCLES! I know, "no pain, no gain!" is another of my mantras. Okay, ate at Taco Johns with Ma & Pa, and only had two tacos! YEA! Ma took us out for supper after I helped clean the cabin and drove her to town to meet Papa. We then went to Walmart to finish up the grocery shopping and a last minute Christmas gift. Yep, we have Christmas at the Betson Ranch on New Years Day this year. We have a yummy meal planned following the Husker game. Then we will play some games of our own, great to have some family time with my brother and his family, too.
Okay, off to the basement to get warm.... Jeffey has a fire brewing...... Yea!
Tired and have a headache tonight! (kids wore me out @ Walmart with "can I have this?" every two seconds!)

Whoo Hoo! We're MOTIVATED!

K, I know that you have all heard this before....but.....Jeffey & I are on the mission of getting ourselves healthy! It is THE hardest thing for me to do....lose weight. I quit smoking about 9 years ago, and that was VERY difficult(I smoked 1 and 1/2 packs a day!) BUT, I did it! Now, we are going to do this. I just want to cry about the weight I have gained... where the HELL did it come from? It blind-sided me, and I didn't see it coming on.... jeans got a bit tight, though! Anyhow, you skinny people out there, count your blessings!!! Having this fat gene is not an easy one to combat. I think this is the fight of a lifetime.....fight to be thin!
OKAY, get going girls! Tag along with me! (thanks Mandy for showing me that it CAN and WILL be done!)

It was magical.....

Our Christmas's were so MAGICAL because our children all believe in Santa! We had Christmas Eve with Gma and Papa here at our house. We had some delicious homemade pizza made by daddy and visited! Then we got to stay up really LATE.... whew! Jeffey and I were hoping that would help the kiddos sleep better, and not wake up too darn early for Santa. the kids put out their notes and cookies, carrots before they went to bed... too cute! Then I took them off to bed, while Jeffey stayed up late waiting on Santa, and watching his favorite show, TAPS. So, with that in mind, Jeffey was a bit spooked. And while he was getting Matt's new bike through the back door, I came in to help and completely spooked him. I think that he almost peed himself! Then, he went downstairs to the garage without knowing I was behind him. I perched myself on the couch to watch the fire, apparently without "Santa Jeff" knowing. And YEP, I scared him AGAIN! Just by sitting quietly, and asking him, "What are you doing?" (NO, I didn't intend to scare him....) he even mentioned something about taking a few years off his life... I am still chuckling that I scared Santa, twice!
Anyhow, Christmas morn was filled with the kiddo's bouncing off the walls waiting to open their gifts while wait for Grandma and Papa to get their coats off... they got what they all wanted... of course! The off to Grandma Bonnie's we went! YEA!
We had a lovely lunch with 20 other relatives at Aunt Dana's and then drank some yummy wine and opened gifts. Lovely time together laughing and letting the cousins play and fight together! Andy got a bit aggressive while playing the Wii football game and kicked Connor in the privates! OOPS! Geeze, he felt bad about that!
On Friday, we went to North Platte to restock on some Verdi Wine, and go to Walmart for some bargain shopping... fun for all! Ice Cream at Breakstones, too. What a treat! Then, when we returned to Paxton, we left the kiddo's with Grandpa, and Jeffey, Bonnie and I went to the the 5 Trail Winery for a tasting.... YUMMY! We had a great time sitting by the fire and laughing. Jeff;s sister Jill and hubby Dale met us there... SO, I am inspired by the Tasting room.... thinking of a new business for us.... dreaming....Ash Creek Winery(tasting room).......coming soon to Crawford?.....Wishing........dreaming........hoping........
Okay, reality check. We left this morning; me with a hang-over, (grandma, too.) Jeffey drove a van-full of sleepers home.... Yea! We made it! I slept sooooooo good, too!
Nice to be home, even if it is a disaster!
Hugs 2 all of U!

Have a...........

.....holly, jolly Christmas! You guys are so dear to me.... thank you for supporting me and loving me just the way I am. Merry Christmas!
I am off to work @ 0900, then hopefully off in time for church. THEN, no more work until Saturday! YEA! YEA! Love it! Got the gifts wrapped last night. Gma took the kids overnight, and they had fun of their own making gingerbread guys/girls. We will be leaving for Paxton after we open gifts in the morning, and celebrating with the entire family there for a few days.
Please take care and travel safely.
Lots of LOVE & Hugs to U and yours...................

Now I know why....

.........I have been so irritated, confused emotionally, sad, sore, and just plain bitchy. Yep, PMS the week before Christmas. What could be better??? My family is really walking on eggshells.....ARGH! I hope it gets better today. DAMN IT!

On a lighter note, Catie L. called me last night and asked me if I signed a book of B.J.'s at the POW WOW while representing our beautiful Crawford, and she saw me on the ABC Nightly News. YEP, It got me on national news....check it out....look for the star-spangled vested lady. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=6512363&page=1
My one second of fame......

Okay, 1st out for work....looks like 1800 on duty possibly. I need to get some stuff done, but the Railroad is interrupting! I need to wrap some gifts, but how with the receiver's running around the house??????? Okay, call Grandma! K......Take Care............. off to the farm?!?!?!
****UPDATE****
Got called in to work for noon. So much for the plans today!

Tagged...by Jody....

-Matt-man, fallen asleep on the floor watching TV after playing some backyard baseball. Taken last May. Too Cute with his batting glove and ball pants on.

HERE ARE THE RULES...
1)Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2)Select the 4th picture in the folder
3)Explain the picture
4)Tag 4 people to do the same
I TAG Lisa, Angie, Jess, Phae

Hi Ho, off to work I go...

Yep, I got called in for 0730. YUCK! So much for getting the gifts wrapped today. I guess I will work on some other last minute gifts at work.... thank goodness I get that time to get stuff accomplished!!!
Have a GREAT day!

Here a cookie, there a cookie....

Cabin Fever....

Yep, we are restless here! Argh! It better warm up soon! It is getting a bit crazy in this house! We have watched ALL of the Christmas movies we own, had a party in the living room, what's next............I think that we will attempt to bake some sugar cookies?!?! Then decorate them.... Won't that be fun? We are all healthy here, so we will see after I have had some coffee/shower. I am 1st out for work, so waiting for the phone to ring....... Jeffey 2nd out. Then, the lucky dog, goes on vacation for the entire week! YEA! Do you suppose he will wrap all of the gifts? Finish up the remaining shopping? Yea. You thought the same! Why do we the women get to do all of this????????????
***UPDATE****
Just got called in to work at 1025...... so much for the plans. Jeffey will have to find someway to occupy the natives...................

We are on the mend....

Last night, Meggie started having the pukes, too. So, be WARNED to those of you who may have been in contact with her (i.e. Christmas Program) I am VERY sorry, but she showed NO signs of illness that night. Maybe I need to quarantine my children when one gets sick, then keep them ALL home? I guess maybe so.... Anyhow, she is better today. I have more laundry going, and cleaned the carpets. So, I think that it is just Mommy & Daddy left to get the bug.
Today, I am waiting on work to call this afternoon. I worked at 1800 to 0100 last night. Jeffey worked midnight to 0730. He is sleeping now..... poor guy.... left him in the puke storm last night!
Well, off to the shower! My dear friend Trish is stopping by today for a short visit! Miss her desperately! hopefully, we will plan some time together soon...........
Have a GREAT day!
Hugs to U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Program Pics

Boobs vs. Willies

A family is at the dinner table. The son asks his father, 'Dad, how many kinds of boobs are there?' The father, surprised, answers, 'Well, son, a woman goes through three phases. In her 20s, a woman's boobs are like melons, round and firm. In her 30s to 40s, they are like pears, still nice but hanging a bit. After 50, they are like onions'. 'Onions?' 'Yes, you see them and they make you cry.'
This infuriated his wife and daughter, so the daughter said, 'Mom, how many kinds of 'willies' are there?' The mother, surprised, smiles and answers, 'Well dear, a man goes through three phases also. In his 20s, his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his 30s and 40s, it is like a birch, flexible but reliable. After his 50s, it is like a Christmas tree'. 'A Christmas tree?'
'Yes --- dead from the root up and the balls are just for decoration!

It's a puke-poop storm!!!

Yep, you read correctly. Matt woke in the night (3:00) with a power puke in his room. Fortunately, he missed his bed for the most part. But he got inside his drawers underneath, the floor and clear down the hall to the bathroom. UGH! Now, he says he is much better, he is playing with his army guys on the floor, as if nothing is wrong.
Then, Andy woke up with the pukes, and a poop. He got himself cleaned up, and then at 7:45, he woke us up, and he has had a poo-explosion! All over his bed, himself, and he had to have a bath. Ugh.... now, I am contending with the mountain of laundry! YIKES!
Well, now, we hope that everyone starts feeling better by this evening for the program. I think Meg and Matt will be fine, but we will see about Andy.
Oh, and I got off work at 11:30 last night, with Jeffey arriving home about 20 minutes later.... TIRED!

Okay, the above picture is the remains of our anniversary dinner at Red Lobster... ep, we had lobster tail. YUMMY! Loved it! We had a lovely dinner and a really nice, short, fast, expensive trip to Rapid to shop on Saturday.
k, off to change the laundry out.....

Have a great day!

Enough said....

Thanks Trish for this.... I miss you sooooooo much!

Cold hands, warm hearts...

We ate, we drank, and BOY were we merry!

Thanks Girls!

What an awesome memory we made...

Eleven years and counting....

The Real Santa, he is cool!

The fire @ The Cabin....absolutely gorgeous!
Sure had a great time with you all!
Thanks for the hysterical laughs and fantastic food!! Tee HEE!!!
Can't wait for Sunday!
p.s. LOVE, love, LoVe this background...inspires me....

I quote her.

Meggie, as usual must shower with me. She thinks it's fun for some reason.
SO she says to me,"Mommy, I have a little tummy, you have a big tummy." Sure, thanks girl! Then, "Mommy, I have a little butt, you have a big butt!" Now, you are really making me feel great little girl. "Mommy, you have big boobies...(pause)..like Aunt Marisa!" Oh that really made me laugh! Tee hee! Then I added, "at least I don't have hairy boobies like Daddy!" Meggie giggled at that.
Have a great day!

Bah-boom, Bah-boom!

This is on of my favorite Christmas songs....
Anyhow, I have gotten most of my teacher gifts finished.... Had to make three, plus 5 teacher assistant gifts. UGH! Anyhow, I had a great time making them. Plus, I got all of my handmade ornaments finished! YEA! I think I will have enough...
However, we have not much of our shopping done. Jeffey and I are planning on going to Rapid on Monday. We mostly need to shop for our kiddo's. The nephews are easy, and then we have some things to order online for guys in the family. So, it will all come together. Jeffey has the week of Christmas off on vacation...lucky him! So, I plan on him doing quite a bit of the wrapping and ect...
Last night, Meggie and I went out to Auntie Marisa's to help her do some crafty's and snuggle Miranda. She is soooo stinking cute, and is smiley, smiley! Meggie loved entertaining her.... Me too! Anyhow, we made some glittered snowflakes, and a super cool card box. I am so inspired to make more! YEA! We sure enjoyed ourselves, and didn't come home until 9:00 last night. Thanks Auntie, we sure love crafting with the girls!
Okay, I am waiting on the phone to ring. Work that is. Then, tomorrow, I will be taking Matt to Chadron for his dentist appointment and ect. We are looking forward to a "fun day" together. Then, it is girlfriend night for me! YIPPEE! I need it!
Have a great afternoon.
Hugs.............2U

It's A Cookie Party!

On Sunday, the ranch ladies community had their annual cookie exchange party. Nancy hosted the craft, a cute sock snowman! We made several. Meggie had a great time and we all had a wonderful visit. PLUS, we came home with a bunch of yummy cookies! Thank You Mary Louise for hosting us! She has a beautiful home.... we dream of a room like this....

ALOHA! It's beginning to look like Christmas....

Yep, the cookies are made! They are shortbread, dipped in almond bark, sprinkled with chopped pistachios and cranberries. YUM! The neighborhood ranch ladies host a annual cookie exchange. It is this Sunday. FUN! Marisa and I are the youngest who attend (besides our little girls ;) ) The ranch generation is definitely a little older....
Anyhow, Jeffey is due out during the night, me too. Kiddo's to Grandma's tonight. Yippee!
My parents just arrived home from Hawaii! LUCKY DUCKS! They had a great 10-day vacation, full of surfing (YES, my Dad!) and touring. They are coming for supper tonight, and we will get some of their pictures uploaded, and burned to disk. I have plans to make them a scrap book for Christmas.... sneaky me! I can't wait to get started!
I have also been knitting the nights away at work. Yep, making some really neat Christmas gifts... Well, have a great evening.
Hugs to all!

It is profound....

That is the book, The Shack.

Here is what I took form it:

-forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness...

-Our Father TRUELY loves us just like we love our own children....

-Only HE can judge, and then he still loves us and forgives us.

- I also feel like I have met God all over again. I always believed and loved God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but never have I been so charged with love, forgiveness, joy, relief and such a desire to improve of all my relationships of family, friends, neighbors and of course, my hubby.

I feel like I need to read it again to absorb more...

Perfect for this time in my life (weird, huh?). I was in a deep chasm of depression just yesterday, and the days before. I felt like just staying in bed and eating chocolate. Then, I got called in for work and finished reading this book (5 hours worth). (My how God knows our miseries?) WONDERFUL! Now, I am set to work on many of the items listed above.....love, forgiveness, joy, relief, and desire to change and improve my relationships.

So, who wants to borrow my book???

Oh pray for us!

(Fairy Godmother Trish & Meg, Baptism April, 2006)

Today, I am headed Chadron to have lunch with Trish @ noon. She is driving up for her hair, and massage appointments. Crazy, huh? BUT, she has to get her hair done. I quote her, "If I continue to pluck the grey hairs, I will be bald soon!" Tee HEE! I love it! BECAUSE, I am so with her! The damn grey is starting to take over on my head! ARGH! So, I called and sished her a careful trip from Torrington. She assured me she will drive safe. I will in turn drive safe to Chadron, too. I so need to meet with her. I miss her sooooooo much, and I need her listening ear right now. She is my oldest and dearest friend. We have known each other since, ummmmmm 1989. I think. We met through the jr. leader 4-H program in Chadron. She being a Chadron-ite, and myself the Crawford-ite, we meshed perfectly. We have had many adventures in life together. Thank the LORD for no one going to jail or getting hurt!

So, have a great day! I will drive carefully.

THE GOOD NAPKINS ... Ahhhhh ...

(Christmas Past....2005. Jeff's Sisters and hubbies. L-R: Dale, Jill, myself, Jeffey, Dana, Meggie, Ty)

FUNNY FOR THE DAY:

THE GOOD NAPKINS ... Ahhhhh ...

The joys of having girls.
My mother taught me to read when I was four years old (her first
mistake). One day I was in the bathroom and noticed one of the
cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in the cabinet.
I then asked my mother why she was keeping 'napkins' in the
bathroom. Didn't they belong in the kitchen?
Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she told me
that those were for 'special occasions' (her second mistake).
Now fast forward a few months....
It's Thanksgiving Day,and my folks are leaving to pick up my
uncle and his wife for dinner. Mom had assignments for all of
us while they were gone. Mine was to set the table.
When they returned, my uncle came in first and immediately
burst into laughter. Next came his wife who gasped, then began
giggling. Next came my father, who roared with laughter. Then
came Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when she saw each
place setting on the table with a 'special occasion' Kotex
napkin at each plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top.
I had even tucked the little tail in so they didn't hang off the
edge!! My mother asked me why I used these and, of course, my
response sent the other adults into further fits of laughter.
'But, Mom, you said they were for special occasions!!! '
Life is too short for drama and petty
things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive
quickly.... and for heavens sake, use the good napkins whenever
you can!

Happy Ho Ho to U!

Oh...... what is the news of the day? Jess got a blog! YIPPEE! It will me much easier to keep up with them now....
Oh, Jeffey, Meggie and I went to Chadron to get groceries! The highlight of the trip was a yummy coffee from Cleo's..... Pumpkin Spice!!!!!!!!!!!!OHH! YUM!
Then the usual Wallyworld trip. UGH! So darn expensive.
Well, I will be working the EXTRA BOARD......(I got bumped)
K, have a nice evening...
Hugs......................2U
p.s. I am reading a great book.... "THE SHACK." It is magnificent!