Ok, it's been way too long since I have been on here. I keep waiting for something to blog about. Last week, I caught up with some really good ladies I haven't seen in almost a year...at our favorite hang out....HuHot!!! It was so good to see them and the boys! I enjoyed some shopping before and after...it was a great day! I also delivered my scrapbook pages for a swap since I can't be there for the crop they are going to next week. I will be at work.

Mark and I went to Okoboji this weekend for Blaze's baptism. It was a nice service and we stayed over at one of the resorts. It was a great chance for us to get away for a change. On our way home, we stopped and purchased some items for our backyard. Mark and I had a good laugh at Menard's and we laughed all the way home. It felt good to have time together.

I have come to the realization that you are given only a certain number of days here and I think we get so caught up in things that we forget to enjoy the little things in life...the laughs, the time in the car, the talks, the Sunday afternoon drives in the country, the photos, the children's laughter and my kitties purring. I think everyone would be so much happier if they could concentrate on the positives and try to overlook the negatives.... I know what you are thinking, she has lost it and maybe I have but I know that I am happier and probably healthier and life is so much calmer... Just a thought!!!

I promise I will have something better in the next post... with photos

Blaze Benjamin

So he is finally here. I have yet to meet him though. Maybe this week. He has had an interesting start to his life already. He was born with very little amniotic fluid (dry birth) which I am sure that was not a pleasant experience for either of them. Then he is sent to the NICU in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he goes through all sorts of tests. He seems to be fine and should be home by now. Mark and I went up on Saturday morning but didn't see him. I will be heading to Okoboji tomorrow afternoon (I think) to take care of Brody and Griffin. I then leave next Tuesday to go to Texas for a wedding so I will be ready to come home in March, hoping to feel refreshed, or exhausted. We'll see.

ICE....What a nasty word

Ok, so I like winter but this is getting a little ridiculous!! We went without power for 9 1/2 hours today. I'm not complaining that much because we have a roof over our heads and had a warm meal courtesy of the grill but I was getting a little bored and cold. The house temp dropped to 50 degrees and I had on 5 layers and a blanket, scarf and mittens but it was getting a little difficult to move. Even the cats started to get chilly because they crawled up in my lap. I did a book of word searches and beat my husband in 2 games of 500 Rummy and took a nap (early morning right after the power went out). We ended up going to Atlantic to get warm and pick up some batteries and Subway. It is rather pretty with all the ice on the trees but not really helpful to have the branches on the power lines though. I have to work tomorrow night and the house I work in didn't have power back on yet. In fact only one of our houses has power and not sure what tomorrow will bring. No school around here again and they'll be lucky if they go on Friday. Some people up north of us were told not to expect power until next week, so I guess we are lucky and I have nothing to complain about. Now that I got it off my chest, I can beat my husband in another game of 500 Rummy!!!!

Winter Wonderland

So here it is January 16th and it hasn't snowed in over a week!!! Yea for us!!! But our backyard looks like a Christmas card and I personally think it is beautiful!! I do have to admit that these photos came at a price. Luckily, no one witnessed my debacle but it was hilarious just the same! As I was tromping through the snow to get to the far end of our backyard, I fell flat on my face in the snow. Did I mention that I was holding onto my camera and it nose-dived with me into the snow? Panic set it immediately! Is the snow going to break my camera? Did I scratch the lens? It must be my lucky day because my camera works just fine and I didn't break my arm or my nose so life is good. I did see a doe crossing the creek behind my house but I needed the bigger lens to get a closer view of it and after my tromp through the snow, I wasn't going back to the house for it. It was gorgeous and showed up against the white snowy background. I guess you will just have to take my word for it!

My grandson should be making his appearance in the next three weeks. I have his baby scrapbook all done and ready for pictures. I still don't know what his name will be so I will have to add that after he's born or we find out, whichever comes first. I am also making another baby scrapbook for a co-worker who is due in May. I am one of the few who knows what she is having and can't tell. She is telling at next week's Wednesday meeting so I was hoping to have it mostly done by then. I have it all planned out and have started it so we will see.

The girls are trying to get used to me not being here two nights a week and frankly so am I. The air mattress takes a little getting used to as does the sounds of the house. It took me months to get used to the other house I worked in so it will just take time.

Well, I rambled on long enough... take care and enjoy the sights that God has given us...

Well, I started the full time job officially on January 2 but I did work on Friday night at my old house... so in all over the weekend I worked 53.75 hours. Happy New Year!!! We are expecting more snow this week. I guess someone thinks we don't have enough. Mark thinks there is at least 2 feet of snow in our yard in the low spots. I guess it's supposed to start tomorrow and when it's all done we will have 4-7 inches by Friday...and then the blowing begins. Is spring coming soon? I like snow but this is a little ridiculous.

Guess what tonight is?! It's Biggest Loser night!! It has started again. This shows inspires me but not to exercise...just the think about it. It's also the big Iowa game!! I am also watching Grey's Anatomy on Lifetime!!! I get to watch 3 episodes a night!! I have seen all of them at least 4 times but watch then any way. I know I watch too much tv.

So what is everyone up to? I hope everyone is staying warm and I hope that 2010 brings all of you everything your heart desires!! Drop me a comment and let me know how you all are doing... It's been a while since I have talked to all of you....

Take care!!

Discipline problems

So here are the "girls" in their "Time Out Sweaters". This is what happens when these two climb the Christmas tree. The water bottle didn't do much but slow them down a little so I put on their sweaters. It wasn't for discipline but it worked out that way. It was chilly and they were laying by the registers and didn't seem to be to warm so I thought this would be a solution. It ended up being what stopped them from climbing the Christmas tree. You know how when you take the dog to the vet for a haircut and they come home all embarrassed? That was the same effect the sweaters had. It kind of depressed them a little so they didn't stay on for days, just hours and I had peace and the ornaments and the tree thanked me. I finally took the tree down on Saturday and took away the temptation. Hooray!! Maybe the sweaters will be put away for awhile, that is until some other naughty behavior begins.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all of you!! I hope that this holiday finds you all happy and healthy. Mark and I are staying home because of the weather. We were heading to Port Byron, Illinios for Christmas with my dad and Sally and my brother and his family. Mark asked me if I wanted Christmas steaks for dinner but I told him that we should have a real meal...turkey and all the fixings. So, I will be making turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cheesecake for dessert. We are having my friend Sheila down for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She can't make it home until the weekend so we are going to gorge ourselves and then watch movies all day. I am looking forward to it!!

I got an early Christmas present this year...a fulltime job!! I will be doing what I have been doing but now just fulltime. What that means is I work two nights (3pm-9am) and a Wednesday morning meeting and that is my week. I was offered a different job working days but I really like the overnights. It gives me more time to scrapbook and spend time with Mark. It is such a relief for me...

Well, I hope you all get to spend time with those you love this holiday season!!! Make it memorable!