And the winner is.........

It is official....a one-year old can make a 4-year old boy CRY. Seth
comes tearing down the hallway, screeching at a level that only dogs could
hear. I could not really understand anything coming from his little
mouth, other than Karah did something to him. As I dashed off the couch
to investigate, I discovered that Karah had stolen his juice pouch and had
crunched it between her two tiny hands. She was toddling down the hallway
with her treasure in hand, like a trophy she had just won for a 1st place
wrestling match. Seth then attempted to grab the juice pouch from her and
we had a little 'rumble' in the hallway. I stood there and watched them
wrestle over the empty pouch and was amazed at the entertainment value I
found in the situation. Karah was the winner hands-down and Seth was
devastated. I separated the two competitors and provided Seth with a new
juice pouch and redirected Karah's attention to toys in the living room.

You Go Girl!!! Karah Rocks!!

I did feel bad for Seth! He had real crocodile tears streaming down his little face.

SNOW DAY!!!

I am not sure how much snow we received, but school has been closed! Woo Hoo! I am going to enjoy the day with my children and hopefully get a few things done around the house. My biggest goal is to get the valentine's done for the preschooler! I also hope to attempt the Yoga positions again.

It is marathon....not a sprint. I keep telling myself that.

Hump Day

After my intense post on Tuesday, I have decided to lighten things up a bit. This comes after reading another portion of the book 'The Secret'. This was a Christmas Gift that Ireceived from a cherished friend. I need to read it daily to inspire me and remind me about 'The Secret' in life and how to achieve that place. Check out the 8-FABU-LESS ladies blog (see my favorites for the link). I entered a comical post about my exercise routine today. It is worth reading!!!

We have several inches of snow on the ground this morning. It is pretty, but will be a mess to get around in. Luckily I don't have to be in my cubicle until 8:20 this morning, so I have a little time to drive slowly.

Tonight I am making dessert for a celebration at school on Thursday. I am a little nervous, as I am trying to eat healthier, yet we are having pizza and pop and brownies......then Thursday night I have a sorority dinner. Then Saturday is the Heart Dance and dinner out for steak! Maybe I can dance away all of the calories on Saturday night!!!

Pondering over Blog Topic

Ah, it is another fabulous weather day in Kansas....NOT. It is cold and wet and miserable. Yesterday was sunshine and 60 degrees....but today is the total opposite. We woke to a thunderstorm.....and it is February. Then it was raining and blowing horribly when I had to lug the kiddos from the vehicle into daycare. It stopped raining for a short time mid-morning and now it is drizzling and frigid. We have snow on the way, so better batten down the hatches and get ready for a chilly night.

The reason I am pondering over the Blog Topic is it is death. I guess I will start from the beginning. A friend of the family has been sick with cancer. He was diagnosed with pancreas and liver cancer about 2-weeks ago and given about 6-months to a year to live. This was devastating to his family. He has 3 grown children, and I have been friends with his daughter for many years. Not close friends, but have lunch occasionally and exchange e-mail photos of the children, etc. Well, when my aunt was over on Sunday, she told me that Jack was not doing well and they had readmitted him to the hospital. I guess he was just in severe pain and suffering. On Monday morning at 3:00 a.m. I awoke and had this strong feeling that Jack had passed on. I laid there for about 30-minutes thinking about his family and how they would handle the passing of their 64 year old husband, father and grandfather. I eventually went back to sleep and did not really think about it again until my aunt called mid-morning to tell me that Jack passed away at 3 a.m. Now, I am freaked out at this point. Why would I wake up around 3:00 a.m. and have a feeling about Jack???? I am not really that close to him or his family. My only explanation is that his situation was weighing heavy on my mind right before I went to sleep the night before.

The bizarre visions continue....late Monday morning I was headed to the doctor's office and I had a strong feeling that I would run into my grandparents there. Well, I pulled into the parking lot and decided that since it was sooooo full that I would just park at the empty end and walk the few extra feet, rather than try and find a closer parking spot. As with any familiar parking lot, we usually park in the same area each time we go (like Wal-mart for example), but on Monday, I went the complete opposite of where I normally go and pulled into a parking stall right next to my grandafther's truck!!! I am freaked out once again!!! I then got into the office and there they sat...waiting to see Dr. Detweiler. I rationalized this coincidence because I had talked to my grandmother on Sunday afternoon and she told me that she needed to see the doctor about her foot. She complained about the automated phone at the doctor's office, so I told her to press zero and then just ask the operator for her doctor's nurse. I knew that there would be a good chance that they would be into the doctor's office at some point on Monday....but how ironic that we both had appointments at 11:30 and that we parked right next to one another.

I guess it made me realize that there is a power greater than us guiding us through this hectic, crazy world. We have little control over anything. Jack's untimely death just made me more in tune with my emotions and realized that it could happen to anyone at anytime...including me. I worry about my grandparents and their health and their age. My grandfather will be 87 in June and he is still driving and they live on their own. I know that they cannot live forever, but the thought of them passing on is very hard for me. I am not close to my mother or my father, but my grandparents have always been there for me. Anyways, I called my grandmother today and they were both feeling better....so I felt better.

Well, I guess I should probably get some work done this afternoon, as I need to jet out right at 3:30 to pick up the kiddos.....daycare lady is going to a basketball game out of town!

Only In Kansas......

My husband is a HUGE waterfowl hunter. The spring goose season is his most active time of the year to go hunting and he plans for months in advance for this brief window during the year. Granted, he goes hunting for ducks, deer, turkey, and other things throughout the year, but geese are his favorite. His nickname is "Gooseslayer" if that tells you anything. At any rate, he has been spending every free moment over the last few weeks and days building an electronic goose caller. He has pieced together this 'thing' through the internet and Radio Shack and Wal-mart. I can hear him drilling and sawing 'things' in his hobby room and the sounds of snow geese roll outta the basement. But today he took it to an entirely new level. He took the electronic call outside to test out. Yes, he turned our backyard into a simulated wheat field with the sounds of geese. I was mortified, as I envisioned the neighbors wondering what the hell he was doing?!?!?! I do have to give him credit though.....because had he purchased a new electronic goose caller it would have cost around $700 and he was able to build one for about $150. He has also stolen my MP3 player, but has promised me an iPod for our Anniversary next month, so all is not lost. I get something new outta this entire situation. If I can figure out how to add sound to this blog post....I will grant you the gift of hearing the goose sounds....they are saved to my PC, so surely I can figure this out and share it with the world!!!

50 Things About Me

Do you like blue cheese? Not really sure....I have only tried it like twice in my life. I am a Ranch LOVER!!!

Have you ever smoked heroin? HELL NO!!! I am a control freak...drugs scare me!!!

Do you own a gun? I don't, but the hubby has several hunting guns!

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Lemon Coke or Cherry Limeade!!! Strawberry Dr. Pepper was my favorite when I worked at Sonic back in the day.

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Depends on why I am going to the doctor.

What do you think of hot dogs? Love em on the Grill!!! I would choose a grilled hot dog over a steak!!!

Favorite Christmas movie? Elf

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I start my day with brewed green tea with fresh lemon and honey. Then I follow up with a bottle of water. As I am walking out the door, I grab a diet soda!

Can you do push ups? Not very well. I always end up with my butt up in the air.

Why is there a missing questions here?? That was my question.

What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Diamond Earrings that the hubby gave me on the first Christmas that we were dating.

Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking, Shopping and now BLOGGING.

Another missing question, whoever came up with this one can't count!

Do you have A.D.D.? That is debateable. My mind goes quickly and I often have multiple things going on at once. I am a multi-tasker by nature...but never diagnosed with A.D.D.

Middle name? Jo

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment... I am thirsty. I am hungry. The weather sucks today.

Name 3 things you bought today... Nothing yet, but I am headed to the grocery store soon for beef stock and steel cut oats and pumpkin. (recipe testing today)

Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, green tea, and diet soda. (regular if I am treating myself)

Current worry? I am still nursing and have a weird breast infection....sorry to be so graphic.

Current hate right now? Layoffs - our town's largest employer recently announced that they are going to permanently layoff 1500 of the 2400 employees. It does not affect my family directly, but it is a blow for our community. On a positive note, it will increase the enrollment at the Tech College and possibly allow me some opportunities to grow in my job.

Favorite place to be? At home with my family or anywhere with my Gal Pals.

How did you bring in the New Year? At home with the hubby and another couple. We toasted the New Year at 10:00 p.m. and then called it a night.

Where would you like to go? New York City or L.A. - this small town mid-western lady would love to see both coasts at some point in her life.

Name three people who will complete this? Not really sure if anyone reads my blog!!!

Do you own slippers? YES, several pairs. They are the first thing I put on when I get home after a long day of standing on my feet in 3" heels. They are super comfy, but nasty to look at. The hubby hates them.

What shirt are you wearing? Big, oversized sweatshirt.

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, they are too slippery.

Can you whistle? Yes

Favorite color? PINK

Would you be a pirate? No, I tend to get sea sick!

What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower, but I do talk to myself and hash out my day. I always worry that the hubby is listening to me, as I sometimes have arugments with his mother in the shower. (no, she is not with me) Except that one time that she was staying with us and we only had one bathroom and I was in the shower and she needed to pee....the rest is history! Hence - we now have 2 bathrooms!!!

Favorite girl's name? Karah Jo or Madelynn Josephine

Favorite boy's name? Cass Paul or Seth Ryan or Steven James

What's in your pocket right now? No pockets - just sweat pants

Last person that made you laugh? The 4-year old - he was sitting alone in the living room in the dark. He told me he was hiding from the sun.

Best bed sheets as a child? Don't remember having a favorite.

Worst injury you've ever had? Cut my leg the summer before the 6th grade. Had to spend the summer on crutches and could not go swimming.

Do you love where you live? I love my house, but we live on a busy street. I do enjoy the town we live in, but we are hoping to move to an even smaller town. However, with the layoffs (see above), not sure our house will sell.

How many TVs do you have in your house? Don't judge me, but we have 5, living room, family room, master bedroom, 11-year old's room and 4-year old's room. The hubby is a TV junkie.

Who is your loudest friend? Susan Maycock!!!

How many dogs do you have? Cats? One Wacky Cat

Does someone have a crush on you? I have NO idea, but there are some hormone enraged students at the Tech College who like to flirt with me. It grosses me out!!! Now, if the cute guy at GNC has a crush on me, now that would be okay.

OK, ANOTHER one mising - someone messed this up.

What is your favorite book(s)? Anything by James Frey.

What is your favorite candy? I love chocolate covered coconut!

Favorite Sports Team? I could care less!

What song do you want played at your funeral? 'I Hope You Dance' and 'Amazing Grace'

What were you doing 12 AM last night? SLEEPING!!!

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I need to workout...but the 11-year old is having a sleepover in the family room....should I wake them up?

ENJOY!

Hello 1988

Today has been another day at home with my youngest. We have all been fighting colds and just feeling yucky all week. The youngest woke me up at 4 a.m. with a high fever, so we stayed home another day and made a trip to the doctor's office. After a $15 co-pay and over an hour waiting on the doctor, we left with a RX for possible strep throat. Baby Girls appeared to be feeling much better after a nap and some motrin, so we ventured out to supper as a family. This is a rare treat for us, as the toddler is usually too wild to be taken in public, but as he gets older, we venture out more often. As we were leaving the restaurant, an elderly couple entered the establishment and the woman was wearing stirrup pants.....that's right ladies.......STIRRUP PANTS! I had to check out her attire several times before I realized it was true. I thought those pants were outlawed after the early 90's, but I guess this poor woman never got the memo. It was really tragic to see someone wearing something so hideous!!! What was even more scary was the fact that you can still purchase these elastic waist jems on the internet at http://www.blair.com/. Enjoy!