What's the best photo you took this year? Show and tell!
For anyone who knows me...I take way too many pictures, so I couldnt pick just one. I have so many more that were great, but I had to pick my top 10 favorites :) They may not be the most professional pictures, but they are us, and to me that makes them the best!!
What fragrance/cologne do you put on when it's your night out?
Submitted by noiq.
I could answer this- IF I had nights out. :) Whether it is with Jake or my sister, or my friends...I just dont get out much these days!! If I do...I dont really get all dolled up for it. What I have is some of that body splash from Bath and Body works- and I use that for anything whether I am staying home or going somewhere. If I did have some good stuff...I think I would go buy "Happy". I have always liked that smell.
When did you really get to make a difference for someone else?
Submitted by bodhibound.
I havent gotten to do this yet, but I am hoping to do it on Christmas. I am making my mom a quilt. I am really hoping that this blanket will make her feel great. She will open it up and see a big pink ribbon, and the word "survivor". Then she will see the signatures of everyone she knows: friends, family, co-workers, and her nurses and doctor, all supporting her and encouraging her to stay strong and fight this thing. We all know she can beat this, and hopefully this blanket will be the lift that she needs on those days where she is feeling down and discouraged. She will know everyone is pulling for her. What better way to snuggle up whe you are cold, than with a blanket filled with the love and support of everyone you know?? Hopefully this blanket will be the difference between a good day and a bad day with just a simple glance and a reminder that she can do this- we all know that she can and will!!
I have been meaning to find us all a new dentist ever since we moved back here. I have been putting it off and putting it off, because I adored our last dentist office in the old town. You'd walk in there and they'd know you and call you by name, ask how the kids are doing, and just joke with people. It was like going to see friends instead of going to the dentist. We were supposed to have appts. with them in early December, but I called and cancelled them because I wasnt in the mood to drive 45 minutes north to get our teeth cleaned. I felt so guilty telling them we would be going somewhere else...but that no one would ever live up to what we had there :)
Then... I got this popcorn kernel stuck in my gums about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and it was really getting annoying. So this kind of sped up the dentist- finding job ahead of me. I went to 1-800-dentist. They had nothing. they had 2 offices about 30 minutes away from here. Yeah, right. So I just did a general search and all of the local offices popped up. Wow...how do you just blindly pick a dentist out of a list on the internet? Maybe yesterday was my day to play the lottery, because I found the most AWESOMIST office yet. The people seemed to have almost as much potential to be as cool as the old place, but the other perks were waaaayy better...
First of all, I love the hygenist- super nice and she got the "ginormous" (as she put it) popcorn kernel out of my gums. That right there was enough for me to love her forever :) (KIDDING) But then imagine sitting down on the softest fanciest real leather reclining chair. Then imagine it giving you a vibrating back and leg massage as you are getting your teeth cleaned. Oh, no. I am not done yet. They actaully give you a warm herbal neckwrap and let you pick from your choice of a few good things on TV (flat panel). Holy cow. I laughed and said I felt more like I was at the spa than the dentist. Totally gonna get spoiled here :) Then on my way out, they took a picture of me so they can put it in their computer, so when I go in again, they remember my face. So, they spoil the crap out of people and TRY to get to know everyone and remember who they are.
As Annie put it... "I think I'm gonna like it here! "
The man of my dreams was born :) It is crazy to think that we are already turning 30, especially when you think about the fact that we've been together since we were juniors in high school! We have been through so much together, both good and bad. The one thing that hasnt changed is the fact that we are there for eachother and support eachother through anything... and when I knew I loved him when we were younger, I never imagined how much more I could love him now. Just like I cant imagine now,how much I will love him when we are 90. I am so lucky to have him- and so are Andy and Justin and Ryan. Somehow- I got this guy who is just an awesome hubby and daddy.
A while ago, I was talking to someone and joking about how bad I am at making decisions. Then they asked me how I ever decided to get married then. (Weird ass question)... But all I could say was that that was an easy decision. So this person again with the weird ass nosy question said "Why?". This caught me off guard because I wasnt expecting it- so I said "Becasue he's perfect" Then I laughed because I sounded like a silly little girl and I knew it. They caught on and said "Well, as perfect as any human being can be" Yes, exactly. Now, what I really wanted to say to this person was that he is perfect for ME. If you can imagine this person who just balances you out as a person...thats him for me. He makes me slow down and think things through more than I ever would. He knows how to be silly when I am feeling crappy and he makes me laugh. He gets down and wrestles with the kids and has more fun than they do. He is smart. He is sensitive. He can see what people need before they do and all of the sudden, he is there for you- ready and willing. He will do just about anything to help anyone out...even though he tries to put on this hard-ass man front like guys do :) He sits and yells at the NFL players when hes watching football. He is handy with anything that needs to be done anywhere...the cars, the house, a broken toy...he can fix it. He teaches me things...like how to wire an outlet, and how to be a better person. He is gentle and kind hearted. He is as picky as a little girl when he eats...but atleast he knows what he likes. He is strong, goal driven, motivated and really wants to do the best job no matter what he is working on. He likes to just get in the car and drive places just to pass time and see if we can find anything cool...like a park or a cute little town. He takes the boys fishing on the end of the dock and they just sit out there pulling in little perch and sunnies and sticking a new worm on the hook like its nothing- but to me it is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. He is "real" Tells you how it is- good or bad, and not materialistic. Doesnt have a bad thing to say about anyone. If I say something during a girl moment, he can sometimes (not always!!!) get me to realize that maybe things arent so bad or that they said something with a different meaning that I took it as. Complete and utter trust. And he is a GOOD shopper!!! He finds great ideas for gifts for people and great deals too!! If I am tired or not in the mood to cook- he offers to do it. He makes me feel like a better person, I feel better when he is around, he is the best daddy, and the kids love him to pieces and we are lucky to have such an swesone person in our lives. SO, if you take all of the things I have said, and all of the things I havent said but could, and wrap them into a big ol' cuddly teddy bear...thats him. And that is why I love him :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY
you old fart!!!!!
Yesterday, I let Andy and Justin have Egg nog (It was clean- dont worry!!) I thought they'd hate it like they hate everything else they eat or drink (Other than the beloved BP and J and Chicken McNuggets). I told them it tasted like a vanilla malt. Andy gagged a second at first, but then took another sip and said, "ooooh, I LOVE this...it tastes like Christmas, Mom!!" Justin said, "MMMmmm...dis is good." So they both had a second small cup. Ok.
The other day, me and Justin made some brownies. It was so much fun. We had them for a treat after they ate their supper. Andy took a bite and went off! "These are the BEST brownies ever! These tate better than the other ones we've ever had. I love these the best. If you like these mom, you can make them any time...because I LOVE them!" The best part, is that they are REALLY homemade. I am talking chop up the chocolate and melt it with the butter and add your own flour homemade too. It made it all worth it :)
We out some chopped up Andes mints in it and I told Andy that that must be the reason he like it so much! Justin heard me wrong and said, "We put Andy's pants in the brownies?" They all had a great chuckle over eating Andy's pants in the brownies and how gross it would be. Kids, I tell ya!
I have never made anything that anyone has flipped over like that before. I have made things that are good and everyone eats them and likes them...but never gotten THAT reaction before. Seriously- it felt so awesome and I had the little cooking ego boost that I needed :) (Ok...my uncle has flipped over things that I have made... I lied. He is more passionate about his food than anyone I know!!! He is like Emeril!!)
I just love this. He liked my brownies, AND egg nog- it tasted like Christmas. I hope they have memories of good food at Christmas forever :)
What's your favorite thing to drink when it's cold outside?
Hot Chocolate with tons of whipped cream and a couple of marshmallows on top and sprinkled with cinamon and sugar...
Think I'll go have some now that I say that. SOUNDS GOOD!
What's on your holiday wishlist?
A winning powerball ticket...
Otherwise- who knows. Once you get to a certain age, that list doesnt make a big deal...Its what is on my kids' list that I need to be thinking about!!!!
I am super bored today and really have nothing to say. But since I am bored, I am sitting here trying REALLY hard to think of something I can tell you about. There really is nothing. Haha. How boring. I cant even pretend to have something to say to keep myself busy!
I am making progress on my moms blanket (still...Shhhh- she doesnt know- I HOPE. If she does know, and I find out who told her...you will be in SO much trouble :) !!!!!) I have the little squares cut out and now I need to pin them together so I can sew them. I also need to get one more color to add as a border around the outside squares. I am still waiting for some people to sign the thing too. Hmmm...productive people would be getting on those slacker's behinds... but I tried yesterday- dont want to nag! I cant wait to get the thing done and give it to my mom. I hope she likes it and I hope it makes her feel all loved and smooshy on the inside like it is supposed to do!! :)
Also- Jake and his dad have been working their butts off in the basement. We are so close to having a finished bathroom, storage room, semi-finished utility room , and then leave the rest unfinished for the kids to play hard in...and the best room of all- MY room :) I cant wait to get all of my scrapbook stuff out of the boxes on the floor in our closet and use the stuff again. I havent touched the stuff since Ryan was born and that was 8 1/2 months ago :( I feel like I am so lost and behind. When I scrapbooked all the time, my life felt so much more organized for some reason. I still need to do some stuff in Justin's baby book...and need to start Ryans.I still need to start Andy's school aged book too...oh man- I have a lot of work to do. Plus a few other books I want to do for them. It will be great. His dad came over today and screwed in the sheetrock in my room and got most of the mudding done in that room too. I cant wait!!
Now I just need to get myself motivated enough to print out the pictures for Christmas cards and to start a spree of baking! I just feel bad doing that without Andy. He'd only last about 5 minutes and then want to play on the computer anyway...so I should just do it now- and then do a little when he gets home and just expect him to last 5 minutes :) He is getting such a little teenage attitude on him...and he's only 5. Does that mean he will be a NICE teenager since he's getting all the sassing off done now? :) DREAM ON MOM!!!! Ok... enough babbling. I sure can talk alot for having nothing to say,huh??
What are your irrational fears?
Submitted by Dan Culhane.
Haha... I think this was written just for me. I am the queen of irrational fears. Give me any situation, and I will come up with something to worry about. Dont sit on the toilet seats in public bathrooms- you mught get an STD. I have fears of my kids going in the car with anyone other than me or Jake because I am afraid they will get into an accident and I will never see them again. I am afraid to have them spend the night at someone selses house because I am afraid the house will catch on fire or someone will break in a rob the place and that I will never see them again. When I am getting something out of the car at night, I get the feeling that someone is standing behind me so I run into the house and turn on all the lights and make someone watch me out the window next time... I have to cut hotdogs and grapes insanely small so the kids dont choke, I hate it when Jake goes on business trips and I get myself all worked up because I am paranoid the plane will crash, I want to get lasik but I am convines that in 50 years, it will cause blindness or something crazy like that, I wont let Andy go into a bathroom by himself because there might be a pervert in there waiting for some little kid...
Get the point?? Anything and everything that goes on, I would be able to ifnd some crazy way to worry about something that would really never happen!!! I could go on and on... but I think you get the point!! Haha - Worry warts have a special knack for this stuff!
Audio: What's your favorite carol or holiday song?
I have so many favorites that I could never put all the audio on here. I love most of them...old and new. The old ones like "The first Noel" remind me of singing Christmas carols with my cousin for the family while holding candles and serenading them with our AWESOME singing :) HAhahaha But strangly--good memories.
I love the fun ones like Rocking around the Christmas Tree, Santa Baby, and All I want for Christmas is you...
I absolutely HATE HATE HATE that song that they play on Kool108. Its probably called Christmas Shoes or something. I have no idea. I HATE that song. It is the dumbest most depressing song I have EVER heard and I think it SUCKS!!!! They should never ever play it again. If you havent heard it, it is about some poor dirty little boy waiting in line at a store to buy his mom a pair of pretty shoes so she can wear them when she dies and goes to see Jesus. And she would love the shoes, so the guy in line behind this kid, gives him the money so his mom can die in pretty shoes. This sucks. Who the he!! is demented enough to write a song like this??? Blech, yuck. 2 thumbs down. HATE IT. This song can bite the dust.
Why dont I tell you how I really feel?? Hehehe. Kidding. Really, though- hate the song.
Things you'd never think you'd EVER be saying to your kids...
"Honey, no- you cant have more peas until you eat your grilled cheese sandwich. "
Huh???
I have the strangest kids ever, I swear.
Clank.
Plop.
Flush.
Gasp. Oops.
Uhhh....Mom? I dont see him anymore...he went down there!!! You gotta help me get him out!!
So, mom reaches hand into the toilet and as far into the drain as possible, but there is no hope for Mr. Lightning McQueen.
Kid gets grossed out at the fact that mom is digging her hand and elbow into the toilet and yells at mom "ugh, DONT PUT YOUR HAND IN THERE- yuck mommy."
Mommy is on a mad hunt for Mr. Plunger, which cant be found anywhere. Need to get car out of toilet before broken hearted almost 3 year old wakes up from nap. Mommy made a promise that might not be able to be kept. Maybe lightning wont be back after nap time. Mommy cant lie to her kids...
Oh, God...the tears puddling up in those big chocolate brown eyes and the perfect little lip curl make me want to rip apart the plumbing. Come on plunger...show yourself!!!!!
How do you get a car out of the toilet drain? They dont have instructions on this stuff in mommy 101.
Wish me luck---
I have waited and waited for this day. Every time we get flurries, I get excited and hope we get enough snow to go outside and play in. I, ah, mean, for the kids to play in. Yeah. Not me... the KIDS can go play in it :) So, when we got snow on Saturday, I was-- I mean the kids were extatic! So, finally, they talked me into going outside in the snow with them. Did a little sleddin', and some rolling in the snow, a few summersaults, made a few tunnels and a family of snow angels. This is really one of the most fun times to play outside. I mean, the KIDS think it is fun to play in the snow. :)
One of the favorite parts of going to play in the snow... coming in and having some hot chocolate!!!
