Cara is AWESOME!!!

I had a really fun time last night. A group of girls got together to watch Fireproof. It was a rather cheesy movie with poor acting, yet still I loved the story of it.
I sat next to Cara and we had a great time making fun of the movie and enjoying it and even crying a little. She is a really great lady!!

My trip to Arizona was emotional and lovely and relaxing and stressful. Peggy had a chest scan while I was there and they found s0mething on her lung, so they delayed her first chemo appt. I was really disappointed to miss that, but happy to find out that what they found was just calcium spots. I wonder what they are from and how they got in there? She did really well with her first round of chemo, but is in a lot of pain and really exhausted now. She is taking really great care of herself and thankfully she is very strong!! Now if Ron's blood pressure would go down.....

While I was in Arizona, I got to spend some time with my nephews, sister-in-law, and my brother. Tommy and I went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast on Saturday and had the worst waitress known to man....
Tom had ordered chicken fried chicken and easy scrambled eggs. He got chicken fried steak and hard scrambled eggs. When waitress of the year stopped by to see how things were going.....
Tom: I'm pretty sure my chicken fried chicken is chicken fried steak.
WOTY: I did write that down wrong. I'm really sorry. Do you want chicken fried chicken??
Tom: No, thats ok. (He was too nice to mention the eggs)
WOTY: Gee, I hope you aren't a vegetarian.
Tom and Tammy: Stifling laughter. WOW!!
So I learned that day that chicken is a vegetable. Who knew???

After running all over Phoenix all day looking for Pittsburg Steelers Tshirts for the boys, we went to Red Robin for dinner and to see the movie Mall Cop. We had a lot of fun and had a nice visit. Sunday I got up at 5am to get home and work all week.

Thank you Tommy for all the driving around you did to get me from the airport to Peggy's and picking me up from Peggy's and bringing me back to the airport. You are great!!!

CLUSTERF**K

Middlest is going to a birthday party tomorrow right after school--if there is school--and needed a gift, so she and I set out to purchase one. I used my remote start and waited awhile to bring the temp of the van up to only -10 or so. It is currently -21 degrees. We went out and got in the van and I was surprised that it wasn't running. I went to turn the key and heard the ever-dreadful CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK.
I thought for a moment of abandoning our journey, but Middlest was really looking forward to having some time alone with me and out of the house. I decided to dig Oldest's car out of the drift and give it a try. It started with only a small amount of begging. I had to back around the damn dead van and did so quite well--I thought--but we will get back to that later. Ok, so we were off like a herd of turtles to get the gift. When we approached the first light in town, I noticed that Oldest's tires were pretty bald when we began spinning out of control when some guy backed out in front of me. Middlest shed a few tears of fear and didn't ask to abandon our journey, surprisingly. As I began again I said that geez maybe we should buy Oldest some new tires. About 9 miles down the highway I heard a big thump and then dadut dadut dadut.....
I pulled over on the side of the highway and got out. YEP! FLAT! Middlest decided to have a meltdown at that point and vowed that this was the worst day of her life. I explained that things could've been a whole lot worse. (maybe???)
I called Mike's office and asked one of the guys to come and rescue us, which he did. Thank you so much Darryl!! Mike is still in Utah until midnight Friday. Does anyone notice a trend here? Mike is always out of state when these clusters occur. The refrigerator.
When we were dropped off at home I noticed one of our lovely lanterns laying flat in the snow. Apparently I didn't back up as neatly as I thought I had. I arranged to have a friend, Emily, pick me up for work tomorrow if my neighbor doesn't jump my van tonite. AAAARRRRGGGGHHH!
I am staying home for the rest of this day.

UPDATE

School is cancelled. I am scheduled to go to 2 different preschools and screen their teeth and put fluoride on them. I don't know if they are open or not.....
Currently it is -17 degrees with a wind chill of -33 degrees. Yikes!!

I am freezing to death

Today it was -5 degrees before the wind chill. It actually registered on my van that way. BRRRR! The kids had no school and are planning on more of the same tomorrow. They are calling for -26 degrees with the wind chill at 6 am. I believe that school will at least be delayed. I have to work tomorrow, so I am glad that I don't have to make sure they are all up and ready before I go, but then again, I am afraid about how Littlest will look without my help. She did her own hair today and WOW! She sucks bad at ponytails. There were huge loops on top of her head. I winked at her and said "If anyone says anything, tell them it is from your hat" (She wasn't wearing a hat to bowling) We went out in the arctic air to bowl to make up for Saturday. Mike and the kids will be dropping me off at the airport 1 1/2 hours away from here for my trip to AZ. I spoke to Peggy tonite and she says it is 75ish. Bring it!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

I cannot believe you are 62 today!! I am glad you liked your gift of the digital frame filled with photos from Tom and I and our broods. Tommy had a great idea!!

I wanted to let you know how much I love and cherish you. You are more than a mom to me... You are a wonderful friend. I always love talking to you and visiting with you. I am sad that we can't enjoy the simple little things that local moms and daughters get to do. Tonite we will get on the phone and enjoy a cup of tea together and just chat.

I love, admire, respect and enjoy you.
Love,
Pinky

Another Sunday

Not much happening around here today. I thought I may finally take the Christmas tree down. Actually, all I can do is undecorate it. It is 9 feet tall and beyond heavy. Mike will have to take it down when he returns from Utah. It has snowed for the last couple of days and the county street sanders didn't hook us up for whatever reason. After bowling yesterday, I turned into our neighborhood and began a spin/slide combo toward the ditch. I remained very calm and decided to do as Carrie Underwood sings about and let "Jesus Take The Wheel". Fortunately the front of my van entered the ditch and not the side because I am 100% sure we would've rolled. I decided to drive through the field and came out on the low part. That got my heartbeat jumping for about a half an hour. Does that count as cardio?? haha

When Mike is gone, Littlest believes that it is her duty to sleep with me. It always amazes me that my 8 year old little girl takes up more space than my rather large husband. Anyway, last night my friend Jena kept the little 2 overnight. YAY!! I woke up in a panic this morning when Littlest wasn't in bed with me.

Weight Watcher Results for this Week

Apparently, I enjoyed the heck out of the Christmas season. I gained 2.4 lbs in the last three weeks. The truth is, I almost didn't go today, but my pal Chris said "Come on, we gotta do it!" So I went and I guess that is good....

Mike is gone to Utah until the 16th and I leave for Arizona on the 17th. Life will be interesting this week when I am trying to save money and watch what I eat very carefully and my chef is in Utah!! The good news is that while I am visiting my mother-in-law, I will probably wither away. She and her husband barely eat anything and are in terrific shape.

Middlest is planning her 11th birthday party. I will be taking 4 girls to a hotel with a really awesome water park. I will sleep in a cot and give the 4 girls the 2 queen beds. Aren't I nice? Hopefully, they will let me sleep in the room and not the bathroom. haha

My bestie is taking a course in Feb. on Dave Ramsey's money tips, etc. She will give Kelly and I the lessons the following evenings. We will all be rich soon, I hope. Brandi will be. She has an incredible sticktoitness about her. She lost over 8 pounds since December 18th. What a brat!!!

Surprise Visit from Marley

We were delighted to have a visit from Marley and her mommy and grandma and Willie.

They were passing through town on their way home from dinner.
Middlest and I were the baby hogs this time.

I especially love the pic of Middlest and Marley bumping fists.

In keeping with the theme of the day.....BABY FEET!!

It's the End of the Year as We Know It....(Giant Meme)

2008

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Attended a birth. I hope to do this again someday.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any this year. I didn't eat french fries at all in 2007, so I took a year off.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister-in-law, Jamie and my "bonus" daughter.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully!
5. What countries did you visit?
Only this great country. I went to New York City, Washington D. C., Colorado, California, and Illinois.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better skill with money
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 11th. I had the honor of visiting all of the crash sites from 2001 in June. It was really much more meaningful this year on the anniversary after having been to all of them.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I got an awesome job in public health that I really enjoy doing and I really do like everyone I work with.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Organization!!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I sprained my ankle when I fell down at the doctor's office. I was late to get middlest and I knew she would be upset. I ended up in the ER and Middlest ended up with a cell phone.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I buy soooo many wonderful things, it is hard to pick 1
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All 3 kids do very well in school. We are very proud.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Rex's.
14. Where did most of your money go? Fun times with the kids

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being in the delivery room and NOT in the stirrups.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Anything by Nickelback
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter, poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
 Exercising, but to be fair I should say that I wish I'd done some of...
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Gaining weight
20. How did you spend Christmas?
My mom and stepdad and dad came to our house. It was very relaxing and fun.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? With "our" new babies. Kane and Marley

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Desperate Housewives!!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate only hurts me, so No, but see my answer to # 13.
24. What was the best book you read?
Twilight series
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
???
26. What did you want and get? happy & healthy children

27. What did you want and not get?
A big ol diamond
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Marley and Me--I was proud to help Jen crush Brad at the box office.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I attended an all day course in Pediatric Dentistry on my 38th birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a better handle on our finances

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Mostly scrubs and sweats
32. What kept you sane?
PROZAC baby!!
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I am always ready to look at Matthew McConaughey ;)
34. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't really get stirred by politics

35. Who did you miss?
I always miss my mom and my brother and nephews.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I love Annie!! She is an awesome friend and I really enjoy being with her. We enjoy a rather sick sense of humor!
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
It is not my place to judge people!
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I'm in over my head!!

A Visit From Kane

Today our nephew came over for a visit. We were sorry we didn't get to see big brother, but we had a fun time with the baby. Mike was quite the baby hog though.

Look at those shiny, beautiful eyes!!

The kids were trying to get a smile by tickling him with a feather Christmas ornament, but instead we were treated to an Elvis snarl. Too stinkin cute!!

This little piggy went wee wee wee wee......... What is cuter than little toes???


Grandma Peggy made this soft, fuzzy blanket. He was licking it!!
I think he LOVES it, Grandma!!

Get Well Soon Peggy!

My mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She will be receiving radiation and chemotherapy for it. We are feeling confident that she will make a full recovery, but I am going to Arizona to be with her for a week. I will spoil her rotten and be her personal nursie. I told her that she will rock the GI Jane look!! I will be leaving on the 17th and returning on the 25th. Mike is going on another trip to Utah and will return on the 16th, so it was the soonest I could go. Mike is starting up his travel schedule again.....Yippee!