Awww, the coffee is good!

On Monday, I went to Chadron for Dr. appointment, for my back. He said that I need physical therapy and steroids. UGH! YUCK! So, I am trying to get better, it's a bulging disk. I guess I have a high pain tolerance and have lived with it for quite some time. Anyhow, I went to Safeway and found my whole bean vanilla nut cream coffee!!!! YEA! I am famous for this at my house, and couldn't get it any longer at Absalon's. SO, I am enjoying a yummy cup-o-joe now while Meggie sleeps. I couldn't sleep for some reason, lots on my mind. I guess nothing too major. I need more gal-pal time, and a vacation would be nice. When we get our debts payed down, then we will have an extravagant vacation.

This May, we are planning a trip to Kansas City to visit our good friends (jeff's best friend) Paul & Dawn. They are so good to us and we miss them horribly now that we live up here. We used to go visit them once a month or vice verse when we lived in York. Anyhow, Andy is betrothed to Josie, their 8 year old daughter. They had their first date together at age 2....(I have pictures of them sitting in front of the TV watching a movie) So, we are planning on going to the Zoo in Omaha, then to KC to Worlds of Fun, and the Union Train Station. Matt & I have been talking about it quite a bit, so we need to do more research on what we can see there. I have plans on visiting my Close To My Heart Director, Mary. She is such a neat gal, and I can't wait to meet her and play at her house. She is planning a party in my honor! Tee HEE! Can't wait!

Anyhow, I am working like a dog (but getting really inky with my new papers/inks ;)), every night at 9:00 p.m. I am in fear that I will be getting bumped, and have to go to the midnight job. We will deal with it IF & WHEN it happens.

Take Care, Hugs 2 U.......................................................

Oh, how I wish for spring....

and some golfing, gardening, tall-cool-ones. AHHHHHH, let me dream.........

They were born today!

Yep, our cat had kittens this morning! She had 2 dead ones before I left at 8:30, then when I got home at noon she had two live ones! She is a good mommy so far. Meggie & the Boys are really fascinated with them.... they want to keep them(of course). Anyhow, they are yellow/white kittens, just like their mommy. CUTE!
Otherwise, my Dr. appt. went well. I have to do some physical therapy and take some steroids for awhile for my back. We will see how that works out....
The boys had their first wrestling practice this afternoon. They seemed to really like it so far. They both learned quite a lot, and were anxious to show me their new moves...
Well, not much else happening here. JUST LOTS OF SNOW. I am not sure how much we really got.

WHOA, THAT'S a ToN of SnOw!

Well, I think that we have a foot of snow on the ground right now, and the forecast says that we are going to get about 4 to 8 inches more! YIPES! THANK the Lord for the snowblower... I guess Jeffey will be taking the 4-wheel drive to work tonight! He is on the line-up for midnight-ish..... I am so glad that I have a whole 6 blocks to drive to the Depot. LUCKY, I am! The kiddo's just came in from outside. They were busy building a snow fort.... funny! And now they are having the traditional hot-chocolate, made by Andy! Tee Hee! He has learned how to use the microwave....with some supervision!

I have a Dr. appointment in Chadron @ 10:30 am tomorrow. I hope that the road is plowed by then.... I am sure that it will be. Our Roads guys do a great job trying to be ahead of this snow. So, I guess I am off to cook some soup, then a nap. Work tonight at 9:00... as usual.

Have a great day!

It has never been so fun!

A candle party, that is! Yes, we had some laughs, fantastic food, and great conversation. THANKS PHAE for becoming a consultant, and inviting us to your inaugural party..... WE are addicts.... candle addicts. Matter of fact, I just lit one of the tealights I won last night, on the desk next to me. I think it is Tamboti Safari. So far, so goooooooood............... Haley stayed with all the kids here so that Jess and I could go to the party. Hay is a fantastic sitter, and can handle ALL of our little monsters. LOVE HER!

Anyhow, long night at work for me. I got off at 4:00 am, and came home and went directly to bed. Carrie had to leave at 8:00 for Chadron to work on a big project for a class. So, I AM DEFINITELY looking forward to nap time today! WHEEEEEWWWIIEEEEE!

Kiddo's watching movies, playing and Wii-ing.

Have a great day all!

We soaked our troubles away......

(Preston with Meg's shoe- He loves her shoes... had one of her pink & brown sketchers on last night!)


Last night the girls came over for Marisa's Birthday Party. We soaked our feet, had a glass of wine and had some great conversations.... sure glad I have you guys! The we ate some of Jeffey's yummmmmmmy chicken chili. DELICIOUS! He is such a great cook. Ang brought the BEST salad in the world! We gobbled it up! And then we topped it off with chocolate fondue with strawberries, angel food cake, marshmallows, pretzels, & bananas. YUM! Now, I need to elliptical those calories off.... All of us girls are on a lifestyle change (eating healthier & exercising). SO, maybe soon we will be some HOT MAMA'S!!!!!!!! Okay, we already are, but thinner ones ;)


Yesterday, I took Matt to Chadron for his appointment, then had my haircut by the BEST Hairdresser EVER- Lori @ Tanglez in Chadron. YEA! Now, I have great hair again, no more hat days! Then we went and ate some Chinese with Jess & Phae. Yumm! What a hoot those two are.... got some good laughs. Thanks GIRLS! Love ya!

Jeffey went to work @ 8:00 this morning, so he got some sleep before getting called back. He didn't get much time off.... 18 hours. YUCK!

Have a great snowy day!

Cupcake Obsessed?

Me, too! Yep, I got my new cupcake stamp for free! Yep, some rewards program the company had. So, Meggie and I just had to play with it! This morning was our first opportunity! YIPPEE! It was soooooo much fun. AND Meggie is becoming quite a crafter. She knows how to apply pop-dots, cut ribbon, stamp, and clean your stamp after every change of color, and put them away properly. FUNNY! Anyhow, here's a little taste of what we are making.....

The kids get out early from school today, and my boys are going to the after school program, so that I can have a nap uninterrupted! Yes, I got home from work @ 3:00 am, and then got up at 7:20 so that we can get ready for school. Our college gal, Carrie has a class at 8:00 am. SO, I am tired, but charged up on coffeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Wheeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obsessed with pink, and cupcakes!

Jeffey went to work @ 5:30 this morn. He is working out of Edgemont, and enjoys the run.... Plus the money is good up there. I can work less ;) tee hee.

OH, yes! Forgot the big news! The boys are doing Jr. Wrestling this year! Yep, even Andy is warming up to the idea. He says that he is a basketball player... so next year he will maybe do that instead ( kids must be 3rd graders for B-ball) SO, he will be broadening his athletic horizons with his brother. Matt is all about strategies, so I think that he will do well. He plays checkers really well, and whips most everyone..... so he maybe a great wrestler, as it takes brain-power as well as strength....

Okay, we just got 98% of the Christmas stuff stuffed back into the storage area under the stairs. I always find more of the stuff for weeks here and there... UGH! I got the Valentine stuff out and was excited about a change of looks, too. I have been working on repositioning some pictures and ect. in the living room. Wanna help? I am definitely open to any opinions.... as I am trying to freshen up the house. It has been the same for 5 years now.... can you believe that it has been 5 years in our new home? Me neither. What a wonderful 5 years, too. It's GREAT to be home...... Lovin' it!

K, enjoy the beautiful weather....

hugs............................................

WHoa, I am blown away!

Yes, did you watch/listen to the inauguration speech by our new President Obama? WOW! That was awesome.... it totally blew me away. As many of you know, I did not vote for him, nor agree with many of his views. It concerns me greatly that our constitutional rights are at risk. Yep, we may loose some freedoms in this presidential period. Pray not. Pray for change, and positive strategies for our country.... Look what our country/peoples have done in the last 100 years... AMAZING!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

WHOO Hoo, what a weekend!

Yep, Jeffey and I went to Rapid on Saturday. We left after a family breakfast with my parents, Unckie & Auntie, and my Grandparents, and my Aunt and Uncle from Denver. SUper nice, and yummy! Anyhow, we got to Rapid and hit all the great spots, H.L., the Mall, Olive Garden, Harley shop, Menards, Target, Sam's Club, Wal-mart, ect. ect. Yep, got some bargains! YIPPEE! And we went to the Rapid City Rush Hockey game. SOOOOO NEAT! We loved it! The fantastic music (old and new Rock) and the fast pace of the whole deal. We cannot wait to take our boys to a game in February. I am pretty sure that they will love it. No, we didn't get to go on the bus, as it was cancelled for lack of interest. We were glad, as we got to go and do what we wanted... BUT, our tickets were right next to the camera mans platform, so we had to look in-between his legs to see the west-end of the ice. TOO FUNNY! Also, we had a great hotel room, and I got my OWN bed! YEA! Nope, I really wanted it that way..... COMFY! So, we are super tired, and our pockets are empty ;) Our kids had a great time at the farm. They rode the dirt bike, chased the cows, feed the thousand barn kitties, and helped Papa. They also played Monopoly Jr. Seemed to really like that. Papa, too. K, off to bathe everyone in my tub..... always on Sunday nights in my tub. K, have a great night.....

Happy Birthday Auntie!

Today is the day for Marisa! Happy day, girlfriend! I am so glad that you picked my brother! We are soooooo lucky to have you! And we hope that your gift isn't what you got last year ;) Not yet.... Hee. hee
Hugs and kisses from all of us.........

Man-child vs. Woman-child....

(Jaxon & Meg-her betrothed- June 04, taken by Brandi)



As usual, Meggie is my constant shadow and helper. I was attempting to get some plants out of my bathroom to put on the plant shelf in the living room. So, we were in the bathroom picking the dead leaves off each plant. Then, I thought that the area around the tub needed vacuumed. So, I asked Meg to go get the little vacuum (clue #1) which she gets for me very often without complaining. Then she immediately begins vacuuming (clue #2) without being asked! AND here's the clincher....(clue#3) she moves items while vacuuming! What MAN does that? Holy-CRAP! Was I amazed?! Okay, you are thinking she learned from watching me, but NO, I do not vacuum very often (hate to admit it). What a little prodigy I am raising! TOO CUTE! Girls are pretty darn smart.... Never underestimate us!


Hugs.........

My House is a mess but..........

I got crafty! I've been wanting to make some of these, and here is the prototype! YEA! I plan on making much larger ones, with My Sis-In-Law Marisa. We have some big ideas to execute!

Anyhow, I have lost 6 pounds so far. I know that I could have done better, as I cheated with some chocolate. But, it was YUMMY! I will take the remaining amount to the basement freezer. Maybe that will deter my habits. So, I think I will step up the diet, and add 5 minutes to my daily elliptical routine. It is NOT an easy batter to fight..... Last night I realized that this is the heaviest I have ever been. YIKES! AND, I weigh 100 pounds more that I did when I graduated from high school........YIPES!!! Every time I diet and lose, then I gain twice the amount back! UGH! K, this time IS different. I promised myself. Keep on track...... FIGHT to be THIN!

Well, it is cold and snowy this morning. I still made my kids walk to school. They needed to get some energy worn off before school. We are only two blocks way....... ANyhow, I am off to bed. I got home from work at 3:00 am, then our college gal has to leave by 7:30 am for her first class. SO, I have to get up and get everyone off to school. Now, I am head back to bed. Jeffey got home sometime after I did, too. -He is still sleeping, though.-

Have a great day!

It made me want WINE and CHOCOLATE!

(Another pic of wine and chocolate from the internet)

Yesterday, I began my testing for work at 8:30, and finish at 5:00. Nope, I didn't take ANY breaks, but a 2 minute potty break. IT WAS AWFUL and totally stressed me out! I was the first here in Crawford to take the "new" test. It was a bunch of nasty scenarios, and ect. VERY confusing at times. But I made it! WHEW! I needed some definate nerve settling when I got home. SO, I did! Chocolate and wine it was! YUMMMMMMY!

So, today, I am off to the cabin to help Ma set up for a meeting. I need to load tables and chair from here and haul out there. It shouldn't be too bad. Then back to town to pick Meg up from school. Then, a nap. As I have to go to work tonight. UGH!

Well, not much happening here, just wishing that I had a day to scrap and make fun things in my office...... soon. I will make time for it!

Have a great day!

Hugs................................

whATs WiTh ThAt?

k, Cutest blog backgrounds has been down for some time! I am thinking I need to change my blogger background.... I love the pink and green, but maybe a change?
Anyhow, just got up, and the new sitter from CSC was great! She is totally the one for us! So, she is unavailable for next weekend, hopefully Grandma can help. Anyone need a job as a fill-in for us??? Call me if you are interested!
K, off to the shower, then to Aunties for a candle party. The kids will go with, but be restricted to the basement at Aunties.... hopefully that will work.
Tomorrow, I have my recertification for my Engineers License.... not looking forward to computer based training for 8 hours! UGH!
Jeffey will be home tonight, too! YEA!
Have a great one!

Yippe! Let's go!

Heya!
I went to work last night at 9:00 p.m. WHEW! What a night! I did get off early at 2:30 p.m., as I got my three trips up the hill very quickly... YEA! SO, got some sleep until 9:30 this morn.
So, today...hmm..... first, more coffee. Then...........maybe work on getting Christmas stuff packed away???
Not motivated yet. Surprise, Surprise!
Next weekend, Jeffey & I are riding the bus departing from GMC of Chadron to the Rapid City Rush game in Rapid. I am sure that it will be a great time......... Wanna go with? If so, contact Shauna at GMC for the details.
Have a great day!

GOOOOOD Mornin'!

(Moorea, my dream vacation location)

Hey Girlies!

I had a great night last night with my gal-pals. As usual, we had some hysterical laughs, and some serious conversations.... THANKS U! PLUS, we ate some yummy food, and some NASTY wine (sorry about the wine!) I won't ever do that again (never buy wine in a milk carton style container!)! EWWWWWWW!

Anyhow, Meggie and I are off to the basement to work out! Must burn those calories off..... Have a great day!

Hugs...........................

P.S. Meggie just said this to me while I was getting dressed, " Mommy you have boobies, I have 'imples'." TEE HEE! Then I said, " You have baby boobies, Meg." Her reply was, " Yeah, I do!"

I baked!

Someone lucky is getting this today!!!

Lucky U!

Have a great day!

Joke of the day:

Two women were playing golf. One teed off and watched in horror as her ball headed directly toward a foursome of men playing the next hole. The ball hit one of the men. He immediately clasped his hands together at his groin, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in agony.
The woman rushed down to the man, and immediately began to apologize.
'Please allow me to help. I'm a Physical Therapist and I know I could relieve your pain if you'd allow me,' she told him.
'Oh, no, I'll be all right. I'll be fine in a few minutes,' the man replied.
He was in obvious agony, lying in the fetal position, still clasping his hands together at his groin. At her persistence, however, he finally allowed her to help.
She gently took his hands away and laid them to the side, loosened his pants and put her hands inside. She administered tender and artful massage for several long moments and asked 'How does that feel?'
He replied, 'It feels great, but I still think my thumb's broken.'

NO calorie Cupcake! Let's make some?

Okay, kids are off to school. I am having my ONE cup of coffee and moving on through my day. I need to go downstairs and pound some pounds off on the the Ellip. SO, more later...........
hugs.........

p.s. Isn't this cute? ALL done with paper.... I am going to figure it out for us to make!

Awwwwww....

Message for the day..........

Heya!
mY MANTRAS WHILE ON THE eLLIPTICAL:

FIGHT to be THIN!
NO pain NO lose.... pounds!
NOTHING comes easy!

Finally.....thank goodness for the new law!

The following is a MSN article I found. I am so GLAD that Nebraska is foing completely smoke free in June 2009. YEA!

Third-Hand Smoke is a First-Class Problem
What's lurking in your clothes, hair, carpets, and drapes long after a smoker leaves the room? Third-hand smoke—a film of chemicals and carcinogens.
By Coeli Carr for MSN Health & Fitness
The unpleasant residual odor of a smoked cigarette is nothing new. Ask anyone who's returned from a party with the scent of stale cigarettes in their hair and clothing. Now, a study has confirmed what many have suspected. Third-hand smoke—the contamination from particles in smoke that linger long after a cigarette has been snuffed out—is more than unpleasant. It's a health threat.
In this month's issue of the journal Pediatrics, researchers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, in Boston, coined the term "third-hand smoke" to describe the toxic particles that remain after visible smoke is gone, and which pose an especially great risk to infants and children who inhale them.
"People react to how bad smoke smells on their hair and clothes, but don't realize they could get sick from the smell," says Angela Stotts, M.D., professor of family medicine at Houston's University of Texas Health Science Center, who is conducing ongoing research on second-hand smoke. "A lot of parents think that if they smoke at home when their children aren't around, their children are safe." Although ventilation will help smoke dissipate, the particles simply embed themselves on furniture, carpets and other surfaces.
Stuart Abramson, M.D., a pediatric immunologist at Texas Children's Hospital, also in Houston, says that cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals and a sizable number of carcinogens and contaminants, including benzene, butane and hydrogen cyanide.
"If children are in a room where people are smoking, the dose of these contaminants is high," says Abramson. And, he says, when the particles land and embed themselves on objects in the home, you have the risk of children receiving chronic exposure to these contaminants. "It may be as simple as an infant, being held, inhaling and touching toxins from a smoking parent's clothing. Both high doses and chronic exposure are harmful to children," says Abramson. Stotts believes chronic exposure over long periods of time has the most damaging effect.
Alan Greene, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University and the author of Raising Baby Green (Jossey-Bass, 2007), says that, in addition to cancer risks, the neurotoxins in these particles may affect brain development.
What can parents who smoke do to protect their children from third-hand smoke?
The best approach, says Abramson, is to use the "precautionary principle," which is to avoid any exposure that has the potential of causing harm. He says parents who smoke should try to quit, or smoke only outside the home. Stotts advises that the car should also be a smoke-free zone.
Greene suggests filling the home with green plants, to freshen the air, and applying fresh coats of low-VOC paint to walls that may be full of residual contaminants.
And that old sofa with years of embedded smoke-related toxins? "Ideally, you should get rid of it," says Stotts. "If that's not possible, you can do a really good job of cleaning it, but scrubbing is no guarantee."
Another nose—preferably that of a non-smoker—may be helpful. "Many people who are chronic smokers have an impaired sense of smell," says Abramson.

Sunday, a day of rest...

(Above: Andy & Abby-Marisa's Pup-; Meggie and Jaxon-2 weeks ago-; Me, taken by Andy)

Yesterday, I spent the ENTIRE day at work... worked 12 hours....YUCK! I know I should not be complaining. Sorry. Anyhow, Kids @ the ranch with my parents, and had a great time playing checkers and ect. Then I got there at 9 p.m. and stayed the night. Meggie didn't want to sleep with me, she wanted to sleep with Grandma. And that she did! She snuggled Papa most of the night!
So, Today we spent outside riding the 4-wheeler, and the dirt bike. Grandma had to bring the dirt bike in the house to warm it up enough to start. Yep, you heard correctly. THEN, she got it started in the house! Tee Hee! Good thing she had a HUGE sliding door that opens 45 inches! What a hoot she is! Andy road it off and onto an ice patch near one of the tanks, slid to a stop and killed the engine! OOOPS! So, I drove out and fetched him and the dirt bike in the back of the van. Dirt Bike wouldn't restart.... Andy was P.O.ed and was literally kicking it a few times.....

K, I am called in for 9 p.m. tonight. Jeffey should be home late this evening from Gillette. Yep, he got bumped out of Crawford. Now, he is back to working out of Edgemont. Bummer, we loved having him home to help out! K, have a great night!

Hugs................

Christmas pics

UGH! Work, again!

Okay, we had a WONDERFUL day yesterday.
Because:
1. Huskers WON!
2. Everyone was healthy for our Family Christmas @ the ranch.
3. We ate, ate, and were merry!
4. Enjoyed each other so much!

I have tons of pics, and will upload later as I am called in for 1000 am.
Hugs, and more hugs!

Only 70 pounds to..........

Moorea.... a island in French Polynesia, near Tahiti. Yes, that is where we are going when I get skinny..... I want to stay in one of those huts on the ocean, on the beach. I WILL DO IT! Right now, I am sore as hell from the weight lifting.....
ANyhow, had a great time with our fairy god-parents, Jess & Jason and family. THANKS GUYS! We ALL enjoyed your company! HAPPY NEW YEAR!