Any readers have Uggs? Worth the money? Love them???
Friday, January 9, 2009
Uggs
Over Christmas I tried my sister-in-laws Uggs on and LOVED them. She told me tho, that Uggs in Australia, are like Keds are to us!? Anyone confirm that? I see I have a couple visitors from Australia. What would it cost for me buy a pair and have them shipped to me? They've got to be cheaper then what they charge here!? Here are the one I'm liking:
Any readers have Uggs? Worth the money? Love them???
Any readers have Uggs? Worth the money? Love them???
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Census
Did you know that this is a census year? It's taken every 10 years and this is the year. AND I just 'applied' to be a census worker!! It's short term, 6-10 weeks. It could really work out for me b/c most of the work is in the late afternoon in to early evening, all 7 days of the week.
What happens is every house, whether lived in or not, is mailed a census. By law, you are required to fill it out. If you don't then workers, like myself, will contact you via phone OR come visit you if you don't turn it in.
Now let me tell you about the process I had to do today. My niece is also applying, so we drove together to the test sight. We had to take a 30 min timed test. When i heard that, and even as I type it, my anxiety kicked in big time!! And let me say, the test SUCKED! It was hard. BUT I passed! Not with flying colors, but I didn't care. I was happy with what I got. Well actually, I've been thinking about retaking it b/c that 'got to do better' attitude has kicked in.
Before we took the test, we had to be walked thru filling out the forms, having them check your ID's, etc. I got online and printed out the forms and we filled them out before we got there:) Over achiever I am:)
In this group of 14 was quite a diverse group of people. My niece and I being the youngest by at least 15-20 years. There was a lady who had this horrible, absolutely disgusting chunk of exposed flesh on the top of her head, there was a lady in her 70's with like orange/red hair (my niece said like I love Lucy, red), there was a dude next to me that had some felony's of some sort and then the topper was the old man-80 yrs old!? Probably encouraged by his wife or kids to go work for the census thinking it would be a good idea. (I'm thinking they probably did it whomever could have a break from him for 2 hours) When it came time for the worker to check ID's he says:
'You'll have to talk loud. If you mutter I'll never hear a word you say, I can't hear!!" This was said in a very gruff sort of way. Really, you can't hear and you are applying to go to peoples houses and talk to them....now that ought to be interesting.
It gets worse. When he shows her his Medicaid card, or something like that, she says 'I'm sorry sir but this is not a valid' he yells 'What??? I told you I can't hear!!!!!!!!!!!"
She repeats, he repeats and this continues till the lead trainer comes to assist. She explains that since 9-11 these measures NEED to be taken. Well he proceeds to tell her that he's been with the Gov't for more years then her and "they know who I am"
At this point niece and I are about rolling thinking yeah you will NEVER work out here. You can't hear, your bull headed, and your just an old grump.
Eventually he whips out something from his wallet and literally tosses it across the table to her and says 'HERE'.
They proceed from there.
Well then the tests starts. I've already told you, it sucked. I'll just leave it at that. They can 'grade' it right there. It reminded me of getting my drivers license accept that I didn't stand there while they circled the wrong answers in RED! I HATE that ink color. Seen way to much of it in my younger years. Screams failure to me.
Anyway, I passed and so did niece. But old man frumpy?? They took him outside to talk to him about his test. There is no way he could have passed. Niece and I struggled enough as is and some of the older people didn't even finish. I'm surprised he didn't stand up and say what kind of test is this anyway!?
Now we wait and job preferences are given to those who tested best and then goes down from there. No I don't think there's any window washer positions, although, mabye old man frumpy could do that!? There are other jobs that would be fun, like in office jobs, but i just can't work 40 hours/week, nor do I want to drive 38 miles to work in an office. Will have to complete 40 hours of training and while it's paid training, I'm sure it's no more then $10/hour and I'll have to pay a sitter and drive some where for it. But yeah, first they need to call me for an interview and will go from there.
Of which, the interview is done over the phone. That floors me. Really you can tell what a person is like by doing a phone interview? There are people out there I wouldn't let on to my driveway, let alone them to know where I live. They do back ground checks but that's not going to show up that some ones frumpy, old, rude, blah blah....
My other concern in visiting people's houses is what if the house is a complete dump. Smells of BO, old rotten food, pets, etc I wouldn't be able to do it. I wonder if i could ask them to step outside to complete the questionnaire. Those that know me personally know I don't do smells. Perfume, pets, BO, Lysol (thanks to the guys I used to work with getting Lysol happy), pigs, etc, etc.
SO, I guess, if you don't want people coming to your house, fill out the census!! I'll keep everyone posted and if you're interested in part time/temporary work check out www.census.org
What happens is every house, whether lived in or not, is mailed a census. By law, you are required to fill it out. If you don't then workers, like myself, will contact you via phone OR come visit you if you don't turn it in.
Now let me tell you about the process I had to do today. My niece is also applying, so we drove together to the test sight. We had to take a 30 min timed test. When i heard that, and even as I type it, my anxiety kicked in big time!! And let me say, the test SUCKED! It was hard. BUT I passed! Not with flying colors, but I didn't care. I was happy with what I got. Well actually, I've been thinking about retaking it b/c that 'got to do better' attitude has kicked in.
Before we took the test, we had to be walked thru filling out the forms, having them check your ID's, etc. I got online and printed out the forms and we filled them out before we got there:) Over achiever I am:)
In this group of 14 was quite a diverse group of people. My niece and I being the youngest by at least 15-20 years. There was a lady who had this horrible, absolutely disgusting chunk of exposed flesh on the top of her head, there was a lady in her 70's with like orange/red hair (my niece said like I love Lucy, red), there was a dude next to me that had some felony's of some sort and then the topper was the old man-80 yrs old!? Probably encouraged by his wife or kids to go work for the census thinking it would be a good idea. (I'm thinking they probably did it whomever could have a break from him for 2 hours) When it came time for the worker to check ID's he says:
'You'll have to talk loud. If you mutter I'll never hear a word you say, I can't hear!!" This was said in a very gruff sort of way. Really, you can't hear and you are applying to go to peoples houses and talk to them....now that ought to be interesting.
It gets worse. When he shows her his Medicaid card, or something like that, she says 'I'm sorry sir but this is not a valid' he yells 'What??? I told you I can't hear!!!!!!!!!!!"
She repeats, he repeats and this continues till the lead trainer comes to assist. She explains that since 9-11 these measures NEED to be taken. Well he proceeds to tell her that he's been with the Gov't for more years then her and "they know who I am"
At this point niece and I are about rolling thinking yeah you will NEVER work out here. You can't hear, your bull headed, and your just an old grump.
Eventually he whips out something from his wallet and literally tosses it across the table to her and says 'HERE'.
They proceed from there.
Well then the tests starts. I've already told you, it sucked. I'll just leave it at that. They can 'grade' it right there. It reminded me of getting my drivers license accept that I didn't stand there while they circled the wrong answers in RED! I HATE that ink color. Seen way to much of it in my younger years. Screams failure to me.
Anyway, I passed and so did niece. But old man frumpy?? They took him outside to talk to him about his test. There is no way he could have passed. Niece and I struggled enough as is and some of the older people didn't even finish. I'm surprised he didn't stand up and say what kind of test is this anyway!?
Now we wait and job preferences are given to those who tested best and then goes down from there. No I don't think there's any window washer positions, although, mabye old man frumpy could do that!? There are other jobs that would be fun, like in office jobs, but i just can't work 40 hours/week, nor do I want to drive 38 miles to work in an office. Will have to complete 40 hours of training and while it's paid training, I'm sure it's no more then $10/hour and I'll have to pay a sitter and drive some where for it. But yeah, first they need to call me for an interview and will go from there.
Of which, the interview is done over the phone. That floors me. Really you can tell what a person is like by doing a phone interview? There are people out there I wouldn't let on to my driveway, let alone them to know where I live. They do back ground checks but that's not going to show up that some ones frumpy, old, rude, blah blah....
My other concern in visiting people's houses is what if the house is a complete dump. Smells of BO, old rotten food, pets, etc I wouldn't be able to do it. I wonder if i could ask them to step outside to complete the questionnaire. Those that know me personally know I don't do smells. Perfume, pets, BO, Lysol (thanks to the guys I used to work with getting Lysol happy), pigs, etc, etc.
SO, I guess, if you don't want people coming to your house, fill out the census!! I'll keep everyone posted and if you're interested in part time/temporary work check out www.census.org
Monday, January 5, 2009
Picture Time
I've only been putting having professional pictures off for oh...a month now!? First it was to cold, then the miscarriage, Christmas, New Years, and well today finally was the day. C'man needed his 4 year pictures taken and I wanted a nice picture of the two of them in there Christmas outfits.
Why oh why can pictures just not go WONDERFUL! When C'man doesn't want to cooperate, Miss A does. Then vice versa. "What C'man? You don't want your Santa cookie? How about a .25 for the train outside??" All while I'm wondering WHY I did not spike my coffee with Kahlua.
Then Miss A does great, then all the sudden she walks off and that's the end of her. Period. When that girl is done, eating, playing, throwing a fit, etc she's DONE!! Speaking of fits, have I told you all that she can scream/throw things/etc for 30 min and then all the sudden look at me and say 'I'm done' and she is!! Just like that she shuts it OFF! Drives me nuts.
Anyway we got some good shots and spent $90. I HATE spending that much. I have so many pictures left over b/c I don't plan who's going to get what. I did better I think this time on that end. But yeah my mom wants one for her desk, dad wants one for his office and then they want one for the home. Now my MIL if I don't frame it, she doesn't get it up and it gets dusty and crusty. She too likes one to show off at the Post Office. So yeah, lots of pictures for everyone. I try to buy the same size every time so they can just replace the old with the new.
At any rate, pictures are done. I got 2 new pairs of shoes that I'm quite proud of. I'll post pictures of them. They are fun shoes, not to practical, but fun. All I get are slip in/practical shoes. I'm still saving my money tho for a pair of UGGS. Anyone that reads this from Australia by chance? I'll have to check my stat counter, but I'm thinking there is. Email me k!!
We're home, Miss A is sleeping, C'man is on the couch and tonight I'm going to a Christmas Party! I'm rather excited I'll have you know. I haven't been to an official Christmas party for years! It's with the steering team of the MOPS group I'm part of. Table leaders are invited, that's me:)
I know I have to wear my new shoes, oh but wait, all the outfits i was going to wear are black and both pairs of shoes are BROWN....oh what now.
Why oh why can pictures just not go WONDERFUL! When C'man doesn't want to cooperate, Miss A does. Then vice versa. "What C'man? You don't want your Santa cookie? How about a .25 for the train outside??" All while I'm wondering WHY I did not spike my coffee with Kahlua.
Then Miss A does great, then all the sudden she walks off and that's the end of her. Period. When that girl is done, eating, playing, throwing a fit, etc she's DONE!! Speaking of fits, have I told you all that she can scream/throw things/etc for 30 min and then all the sudden look at me and say 'I'm done' and she is!! Just like that she shuts it OFF! Drives me nuts.
Anyway we got some good shots and spent $90. I HATE spending that much. I have so many pictures left over b/c I don't plan who's going to get what. I did better I think this time on that end. But yeah my mom wants one for her desk, dad wants one for his office and then they want one for the home. Now my MIL if I don't frame it, she doesn't get it up and it gets dusty and crusty. She too likes one to show off at the Post Office. So yeah, lots of pictures for everyone. I try to buy the same size every time so they can just replace the old with the new.
At any rate, pictures are done. I got 2 new pairs of shoes that I'm quite proud of. I'll post pictures of them. They are fun shoes, not to practical, but fun. All I get are slip in/practical shoes. I'm still saving my money tho for a pair of UGGS. Anyone that reads this from Australia by chance? I'll have to check my stat counter, but I'm thinking there is. Email me k!!
We're home, Miss A is sleeping, C'man is on the couch and tonight I'm going to a Christmas Party! I'm rather excited I'll have you know. I haven't been to an official Christmas party for years! It's with the steering team of the MOPS group I'm part of. Table leaders are invited, that's me:)
I know I have to wear my new shoes, oh but wait, all the outfits i was going to wear are black and both pairs of shoes are BROWN....oh what now.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Resolutions
Do you make them, and keep them?? I've never been one to even bother making them. But these last couple days, or hours, I've been thinking more a long goals for the New Year. I laid in bed last night, mind you I was still up at 1AM! Unheard of by me! I thought thru some goals and things I'd like to see for the new year. The list included, and may I say in no particular order.
Get back to the gym!! With the pregnancy and then miscarriage I fell off the ol' work out band wagon.
I'd like to loose about 10 lbs. I know stop choking those that know me. But seriously my gut/abs really need to tighten up:)
Get back in to a bikini and feel comfortable in it!
Pay off all debt! That's looking to be entirely possible come Feb. and I'm ecstatic. I want to get to a point where all we have for monthly expenses is our house and our van. Very doable.
Work harder on my patience. I need to become more patient especially with Miss A.
Read books, seek professional help, whatever I need to, to help us understand Miss A
Get picture albums done of the kids. Absolute MUST!!! I'm getting way behind.
Give DH a hug, kiss and tell him I love him at least every day. (yikes I'm behind on that one already)
Spiritually I need to pray more. Boy do i ever. I feel i have trust and faith in God but i don't pray as often as I should. And I mean on my knees.
I should read the Bible too, but I know at this point that's not going to happen. Just to many other things to read. Sorry
Get out and visit friends!! If that means a weekend away alone, no kids or DH, doing it and not feeling guilty for being away for 24 hours. I miss my friends and friendships are very important to me. I must do what I can to keep the relationships strong.
Attend a marriage conference. I've heard such wonderful things about them. Even if you're marriage isn't in a crisis mode, maintenance is a must. There are 2 in our area. I have no excuse.
Plant, and maintain, a garden LOL!!
Find places/ways to share our story about infertility and adoption! OK you all can help with that one. Have a MOPS group that you need a speaker for? or any suggestions??
OK i think that's enough for now! Need to be able to say I achieve at least some of these. OK so share your resolutions/goals for the new year! I know you all have at least something right!? Share come on. That's my blog goal is to get you all to start leaving comments. I know i have daily readers out there....there you go. Become a 'Follower' of my blog like the 2 other wonderful people have:)
Get back to the gym!! With the pregnancy and then miscarriage I fell off the ol' work out band wagon.
I'd like to loose about 10 lbs. I know stop choking those that know me. But seriously my gut/abs really need to tighten up:)
Get back in to a bikini and feel comfortable in it!
Pay off all debt! That's looking to be entirely possible come Feb. and I'm ecstatic. I want to get to a point where all we have for monthly expenses is our house and our van. Very doable.
Work harder on my patience. I need to become more patient especially with Miss A.
Read books, seek professional help, whatever I need to, to help us understand Miss A
Get picture albums done of the kids. Absolute MUST!!! I'm getting way behind.
Give DH a hug, kiss and tell him I love him at least every day. (yikes I'm behind on that one already)
Spiritually I need to pray more. Boy do i ever. I feel i have trust and faith in God but i don't pray as often as I should. And I mean on my knees.
I should read the Bible too, but I know at this point that's not going to happen. Just to many other things to read. Sorry
Get out and visit friends!! If that means a weekend away alone, no kids or DH, doing it and not feeling guilty for being away for 24 hours. I miss my friends and friendships are very important to me. I must do what I can to keep the relationships strong.
Attend a marriage conference. I've heard such wonderful things about them. Even if you're marriage isn't in a crisis mode, maintenance is a must. There are 2 in our area. I have no excuse.
Plant, and maintain, a garden LOL!!
Find places/ways to share our story about infertility and adoption! OK you all can help with that one. Have a MOPS group that you need a speaker for? or any suggestions??
OK i think that's enough for now! Need to be able to say I achieve at least some of these. OK so share your resolutions/goals for the new year! I know you all have at least something right!? Share come on. That's my blog goal is to get you all to start leaving comments. I know i have daily readers out there....there you go. Become a 'Follower' of my blog like the 2 other wonderful people have:)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Year In Review
It only seems appropriate to talk about the last year. Maybe next week I'll talk about the new year and what i want/expect/hope for, etc.
I had another post prior to this one and deleted it. I talked about the ups and downs of this year and realized boy it actually sounded like we had more downs then ups!? Why is it the bad news surpasses the good stuff!? Why can't i remember all the great things that happened like I do the bad.
For instance....the passing of DH's aunt in February. Very sad indeed. She fought a heck of a battle with cancer. She was such a pillar for the family. She is missed greatly, no doubt. But I know death is inevitable. We need to hang on to the memories and that we have plenty of. I'm so thankful C'man got to spend 3 years with her and i know he'll never forget them. We talk about her often and when we get balloons we will release them up to heaven for Maxine.
Then there was the miscarriages. Still so fresh in my memory. I questioned if I was ready to be pregnant, or could even handle another child. Was that what took that little baby away from us to soon? Why after 5 IVF cycles and years prior of trying for a child was it becoming so easy for me to get pregnant? But then remembering those years are what make me who I am today. I think of all the babies that will greet me in heaven. There are many and many.
The frustrations with raising a strong willed 2 year old. Will I ever figure her out!? Doubtful. But what can we do not to make life manageable for us all. Will reading all the books help me? Do I need to turn to professional help? Don't laugh. I'm seriously considering it.
How is C'man's BM doing? We think of her often and really would like to reach out to her. But how and should we?
There's more, but no need to go any further b/c I want to think of the great things that happened this year. The accomplishments of not only myself, but our family.
We got to be a part of an election year! That was one heck of a way to start off the new year with the Iowa Caucuses. I still like Huckabee and probably always will. I don't think Obama is the right man for the job but then I'm not 100% sure who that would be. I'm excited to see the change he keeps talking about and for everyone's sake, I hope he can do just that. We need change, agree, but i worry about some of the changes he'll bring. But lets pray for the best!
This summer we had a great vacation to NJ. It was such a nice time for our family and so very kind of L & M to open there home and lives to us. We enjoyed ourselves so much. Went to our first Broadway show in NYC and spent a day at the ocean. I love the Atlantic ocean and I miss everything about it. The warm sand b/w my toes, the hot sun on my back, the crashing waves, the seagulls, the smell and yes even the taste of salt water. Love it!!
Planting and harvesting was safe for DH and his brother. Altho it took a long time to get harvest out, every one was safe. Farming is such a dangerous job. Crop prices are/were great this year and that afforded us a little better lifestyle this year. Our garage got sheet rocked, newer van, and here soon the trim work put up on our kitchen. While we know the prices won't stay that good, they already aren't, we are thankful for a good year for once! I really think the farmers deserved it. Well at least us small family farmers. Not many of us around anymore.
The kids have stayed relatively healthy. Can't complain really at all. Just the flu and minor colds. We are so blessed there!! Aside from my stinking root canal I had we are OK over on that side of things.
I'm content to be home. It took me at least 6-9 months to adjust to being home full time. I have adjusted, even tho i was so sad to see summer go. I seriously was depressed for 2 weeks when the weather turned colder and I knew Fall was on the way. I feel it's the best place for the kids for me to be home. I have the rest of my life to make a career and quite frankly i feel i had a career for 8 years and now it's time for a family. Can't have both!
I worked out a lot this past year and need to get back on track. I'm happy with my body image, accept for my stomach LOL!
So yeah, i think i found enough good in all the bad! Really it's been a good year. No major happenings, or at least what i would consider major. I have my family, my DH's family, all doing well. I have been blessed with great friends and continue to be blessed by meeting new friends. Isn't facebook great!!
Can I just add how hard it is to blog with 2 kids running around and fighting. I hope this makes sense:)
I had another post prior to this one and deleted it. I talked about the ups and downs of this year and realized boy it actually sounded like we had more downs then ups!? Why is it the bad news surpasses the good stuff!? Why can't i remember all the great things that happened like I do the bad.
For instance....the passing of DH's aunt in February. Very sad indeed. She fought a heck of a battle with cancer. She was such a pillar for the family. She is missed greatly, no doubt. But I know death is inevitable. We need to hang on to the memories and that we have plenty of. I'm so thankful C'man got to spend 3 years with her and i know he'll never forget them. We talk about her often and when we get balloons we will release them up to heaven for Maxine.
Then there was the miscarriages. Still so fresh in my memory. I questioned if I was ready to be pregnant, or could even handle another child. Was that what took that little baby away from us to soon? Why after 5 IVF cycles and years prior of trying for a child was it becoming so easy for me to get pregnant? But then remembering those years are what make me who I am today. I think of all the babies that will greet me in heaven. There are many and many.
The frustrations with raising a strong willed 2 year old. Will I ever figure her out!? Doubtful. But what can we do not to make life manageable for us all. Will reading all the books help me? Do I need to turn to professional help? Don't laugh. I'm seriously considering it.
How is C'man's BM doing? We think of her often and really would like to reach out to her. But how and should we?
There's more, but no need to go any further b/c I want to think of the great things that happened this year. The accomplishments of not only myself, but our family.
We got to be a part of an election year! That was one heck of a way to start off the new year with the Iowa Caucuses. I still like Huckabee and probably always will. I don't think Obama is the right man for the job but then I'm not 100% sure who that would be. I'm excited to see the change he keeps talking about and for everyone's sake, I hope he can do just that. We need change, agree, but i worry about some of the changes he'll bring. But lets pray for the best!
This summer we had a great vacation to NJ. It was such a nice time for our family and so very kind of L & M to open there home and lives to us. We enjoyed ourselves so much. Went to our first Broadway show in NYC and spent a day at the ocean. I love the Atlantic ocean and I miss everything about it. The warm sand b/w my toes, the hot sun on my back, the crashing waves, the seagulls, the smell and yes even the taste of salt water. Love it!!
Planting and harvesting was safe for DH and his brother. Altho it took a long time to get harvest out, every one was safe. Farming is such a dangerous job. Crop prices are/were great this year and that afforded us a little better lifestyle this year. Our garage got sheet rocked, newer van, and here soon the trim work put up on our kitchen. While we know the prices won't stay that good, they already aren't, we are thankful for a good year for once! I really think the farmers deserved it. Well at least us small family farmers. Not many of us around anymore.
The kids have stayed relatively healthy. Can't complain really at all. Just the flu and minor colds. We are so blessed there!! Aside from my stinking root canal I had we are OK over on that side of things.
I'm content to be home. It took me at least 6-9 months to adjust to being home full time. I have adjusted, even tho i was so sad to see summer go. I seriously was depressed for 2 weeks when the weather turned colder and I knew Fall was on the way. I feel it's the best place for the kids for me to be home. I have the rest of my life to make a career and quite frankly i feel i had a career for 8 years and now it's time for a family. Can't have both!
I worked out a lot this past year and need to get back on track. I'm happy with my body image, accept for my stomach LOL!
So yeah, i think i found enough good in all the bad! Really it's been a good year. No major happenings, or at least what i would consider major. I have my family, my DH's family, all doing well. I have been blessed with great friends and continue to be blessed by meeting new friends. Isn't facebook great!!
Can I just add how hard it is to blog with 2 kids running around and fighting. I hope this makes sense:)
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas Recap
What an original title eh?? Lets see....Christmas Eve-my parents came to our house where we all attended church together. Church was at 4, very early, but nice. I played the piano and my dad and I sang Silent Night. We thought it was 'fine'. Everyone else?? You'd thought we were going to be on the next 'America's Got Talent'. The kids were wild. During the children sermon, C'man knew baby Jesus was born 'in da hay' but he continued on about tractors!? During communion he couldn't wait and had to run up and take it not once, but twice! The 2nd time he was jumping up and down so the man with the juice would see him so he could dip his bread. My mother tried to tell him to stay put and the Pastor replied 'There's plenty of God's love to go around'. My mom promptly sat down. We chuckled about that comment later and i have again in typing that.
Miss A!? She was there too. While Dad and I were singing she scooted under the pew and was at my feet while we sang. DH knew better then to pick her up b/c she'd add ear piercing screams to our duet. Needless to say, 3 verses of Silent Night was a VERY LONG SONG for us.
After church we came home, opened presents and then ate. Of course the kids got way to many presents however, i felt like i shopped and shopped and the UPS guy came like every day and within 20 min it was all over and it didn't look like that much!?
C'man was happy with his Hungry Hippo game and a play chainsaw. We could have stopped there and he'd been fine. Miss A liked whatever C'man had.
Christmas Day was spent at my in laws. It actually was a very nice day. Our kids are the youngest by 12 years so they were the entertainment. My SIL is just AMAZING with C'man and my niece Meg's was there too from Florida. Her and C'man are so cute together. She read books to him when they weren't playing hide the dog. Miss A couldn't take all the excitement and she fell asleep on me in the chair. We opened presents late afternoon and the kids had a blast delivering the gifts and offering to help open them. Any present that had a bow on, C'man would pull off and toss on the ground. Then he'd say 'need help opening that?' then he'd be so excited with whatever was in the box, for that person. He'd ask 'you like it?'
My in laws are all very relaxed anything goes. I often don't operate like that. I like to have ideas of what and how things are going to go. I'm learning to go with the flow and things are much more enjoyable when you go with the flow.
Then on Friday we headed up to my family. My brother, SIL and nephew are home from DC and my sister, BIL and niece were home too. It was horribly foggy driving home. We should have stayed home not only b/c of the weather but b/c it was just a little much being around family that long. My sister promptly decided to not talk to me!? not sure what i did, said, or whatever, but it was a long weekend of her leaving the room when I'd come in. I think it was our kids driving everyone nuts. I felt every time i said something or left the room, eyes were rolling and comments were being said.
We all got a lot of great gifts and as predicted my brother spent WAY to much money on our kids. Nothing like spending $25 on them to only have $100/child spent on us. Gotta love that eh!? anyone else relate?
I couldn't wait to get home last night. I just wanted to be in the comfort of my own home with the kids. We ended the evening/weekend with swimming at a local hotel pool.
It now looks like Santa vomited in our house. Toys everywhere and I'm trying to figure out what size storage totes i need for what toys. I'm happy to be home doing laundry, cleaning and ready to put Christmas stuff away.
I'm going to end here and continue on another day......tell me about your holiday festivities? Were they relaxing? Exhausting?
Miss A!? She was there too. While Dad and I were singing she scooted under the pew and was at my feet while we sang. DH knew better then to pick her up b/c she'd add ear piercing screams to our duet. Needless to say, 3 verses of Silent Night was a VERY LONG SONG for us.
After church we came home, opened presents and then ate. Of course the kids got way to many presents however, i felt like i shopped and shopped and the UPS guy came like every day and within 20 min it was all over and it didn't look like that much!?
C'man was happy with his Hungry Hippo game and a play chainsaw. We could have stopped there and he'd been fine. Miss A liked whatever C'man had.
Christmas Day was spent at my in laws. It actually was a very nice day. Our kids are the youngest by 12 years so they were the entertainment. My SIL is just AMAZING with C'man and my niece Meg's was there too from Florida. Her and C'man are so cute together. She read books to him when they weren't playing hide the dog. Miss A couldn't take all the excitement and she fell asleep on me in the chair. We opened presents late afternoon and the kids had a blast delivering the gifts and offering to help open them. Any present that had a bow on, C'man would pull off and toss on the ground. Then he'd say 'need help opening that?' then he'd be so excited with whatever was in the box, for that person. He'd ask 'you like it?'
My in laws are all very relaxed anything goes. I often don't operate like that. I like to have ideas of what and how things are going to go. I'm learning to go with the flow and things are much more enjoyable when you go with the flow.
Then on Friday we headed up to my family. My brother, SIL and nephew are home from DC and my sister, BIL and niece were home too. It was horribly foggy driving home. We should have stayed home not only b/c of the weather but b/c it was just a little much being around family that long. My sister promptly decided to not talk to me!? not sure what i did, said, or whatever, but it was a long weekend of her leaving the room when I'd come in. I think it was our kids driving everyone nuts. I felt every time i said something or left the room, eyes were rolling and comments were being said.
We all got a lot of great gifts and as predicted my brother spent WAY to much money on our kids. Nothing like spending $25 on them to only have $100/child spent on us. Gotta love that eh!? anyone else relate?
I couldn't wait to get home last night. I just wanted to be in the comfort of my own home with the kids. We ended the evening/weekend with swimming at a local hotel pool.
It now looks like Santa vomited in our house. Toys everywhere and I'm trying to figure out what size storage totes i need for what toys. I'm happy to be home doing laundry, cleaning and ready to put Christmas stuff away.
I'm going to end here and continue on another day......tell me about your holiday festivities? Were they relaxing? Exhausting?
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Birthday Post
I realized I haven't done the birthday boy post yet! I think with all the drama going on it totally got over looked. But it can't be b/c this special little boy turned FOUR on the 13th. I'm not sure how to post back to a previous post, (anyone??) but if you look back on last years posts' i posted about the day he was born!
We had his party with his g'parents and one uncle and his God mother, on Sunday. On Saturday he got to open his presents from us and Miss A. I made rolls and put a candle in them for him. Here he is thanking Jesus for another year!!
Here are the pics of the big party. It was a John Deere themed party, special request by the little man!
Here he is opening up some of the many gifts:
This was from Miss A
Friday, December 19, 2008
Let It Snow, Let It Snow.....
Make is STOP!! We are knee deep in snow here in Iowa. There is a winter weather watch out for tomorrow (Saturday) too. That will more then likely be a Warning here by midnight. The bad part of that all? Our neighbor girl is getting married!! Can you imagine getting married knowing that there is going to be a blizzard warning?? What would you do? I'd be freaking out! Not like I could do anything about it, but still. I'd be calling all the farmers and snow plows begging them to get the guests here!! Will have to wait and see. I really want to go but yeah, it's going to be bitter cold, Jeff has to work, and I can't take the kids out if it's really nasty. Stay tuned for updates on that.
This AM I did bundle the kids up
and sent them outside to play. C'man loves it but Miss A isn't to sure. She gets cold quickly and it didn't help that i couldn't find a good pair of mittens. Darn dogs keep running off with mitten, boot, etc (note single, not plural). So anyway out we went and well I'll let the pictures speak:
This AM I did bundle the kids up
and sent them outside to play. C'man loves it but Miss A isn't to sure. She gets cold quickly and it didn't help that i couldn't find a good pair of mittens. Darn dogs keep running off with mitten, boot, etc (note single, not plural). So anyway out we went and well I'll let the pictures speak:
Then the dogs decided to get goofy and as a result they knocked Miss A flat into a snow pile. 
This was her reaction. 
She was ready to go in the house after that.
This was her reaction. 
She was ready to go in the house after that.I hope the weather is OK by you all. I know many of you live in FL and TX and are enjoying much warmer weather then we are. The joys of living in Iowa:)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thanks.....
Appreciate all the kind emails, thoughts, prayers, etc from many of you. It really means a lot and I would appreciate any advice on what to expect, or hearing from anyone, that has experienced a miscarriage. And don't these kind of situations just suck in wondering what to say to someone? Just like infertility you have to be careful what you say b/c yeah God knows, you don't want to offend or further hurt the person. Don't need to worry so much about that with me. So far just the hugs and friends nearby, helping out when needed. Or the daily calls from FF-S to see how I'm doing.
I did go in Monday for a Rogam work up. That's because my blood is O- and while that doesn't cause a miscarriage it is a shot you have to get after a miscarriage or at so many weeks in to a pregnancy. If someone else out there can better explain this to me, and DH, that would be greatly appreciated. So ANYWAY, here comes the humor in this. The nurse comes to give me the shot and tells me she's giving it to me in the arm. She's getting it ready and I tell her shots don't seem to bother me that much b/c of all the IVF treatments I did. Blah blah....then i swear to God she wound up and jammed a 10inch needle in to my arm muscle and BAM shot me up with 'stuff'. I was waiting for the needle to come out the other side of my arm. kid you not. I just about fainted.
When it was done I grabbed my coat, found DH and said let's get the hell outta here!!!!! Fresh air was needed ASAP!
Last night I just felt horrible, headache, stomach felt weird, etc and then this AM started bleeding really heavy. I called the doc and they asked me to come in ASAP. I ended up taking the kids to a fellow MOPS Mom, Sarah. She met me in the clinic parking lot and took the kids. Praise God for her!!! We talked about having a D&C but decided to continue to wait things out. My HSG levels are down to 120 and my hemoglobin is normal. Must continue to carry on and let nature work it's course. I think it's generally best to avoid a D&C but at the same time I'd like closure to this all and if that would make it that way then it might be worth it. Can anyone relate?? Has anyone had one?
That's the latest. I continue to wonder if it was the fall i had, or the stressful night with Miss A, or the thoughts of me wondering how can i do this? that caused this all to happen. But then i also remember, I'm not the first, and I'm certainly not going to be the last. I'd just like to all to be over by Christmas so i can enjoy the holiday with my family.
I did go in Monday for a Rogam work up. That's because my blood is O- and while that doesn't cause a miscarriage it is a shot you have to get after a miscarriage or at so many weeks in to a pregnancy. If someone else out there can better explain this to me, and DH, that would be greatly appreciated. So ANYWAY, here comes the humor in this. The nurse comes to give me the shot and tells me she's giving it to me in the arm. She's getting it ready and I tell her shots don't seem to bother me that much b/c of all the IVF treatments I did. Blah blah....then i swear to God she wound up and jammed a 10inch needle in to my arm muscle and BAM shot me up with 'stuff'. I was waiting for the needle to come out the other side of my arm. kid you not. I just about fainted.
When it was done I grabbed my coat, found DH and said let's get the hell outta here!!!!! Fresh air was needed ASAP!
Last night I just felt horrible, headache, stomach felt weird, etc and then this AM started bleeding really heavy. I called the doc and they asked me to come in ASAP. I ended up taking the kids to a fellow MOPS Mom, Sarah. She met me in the clinic parking lot and took the kids. Praise God for her!!! We talked about having a D&C but decided to continue to wait things out. My HSG levels are down to 120 and my hemoglobin is normal. Must continue to carry on and let nature work it's course. I think it's generally best to avoid a D&C but at the same time I'd like closure to this all and if that would make it that way then it might be worth it. Can anyone relate?? Has anyone had one?
That's the latest. I continue to wonder if it was the fall i had, or the stressful night with Miss A, or the thoughts of me wondering how can i do this? that caused this all to happen. But then i also remember, I'm not the first, and I'm certainly not going to be the last. I'd just like to all to be over by Christmas so i can enjoy the holiday with my family.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Well this isn't the topic i was hoping to blog about today. I was hoping I'd be blogging about C'mans 4th b-day, which was yesterday! I can't believe he's been a part of our lives for 4 years! Amazing little man he is. Which is strengthend even more when I realize how valuable life is. Over 4 weeks ago I found out I was pregnant. Remember me blogging about keeping surprises!? Well that was it. Thursday I went in for an ultrasound and we saw a baby and a heartbeat. I was measuring about 2 weeks behind what I thought I should be.
I know for sure the first day of my last period so I just knew I couldn't be only 5-6 weeks along. There also was a heartbeat, but not very strong. Strong if i was 6 weeks but not if I was closer to 8. But i left feeling good just seeing the HB. After all, Miss A had a real slow HB and she came too after a couple more weeks.
Friday I started spotting and then yesterday was worse. We went to the ER b/c i just really wanted an ultrasound, or a LBC (Live Baby Check). We didn't get that far. I had a pelvic and discussed options with the doc. He gave us a couple options. Go ahead and have the u/s and see if the baby was alive, if not go in for surgery that night and have a D&C or go home and come back Monday and see where we're at. What wasn't helping us either is that my HCG was 1287? I knew w/o even seeing 'the chart' that was low. It actually isn't low if I was 5-6 weeks, but yes, I know I'm further along then that.
DH and I decided to just come home and wait it out. The doc thought that was a good idea. I have to say, he was the kindest, most gentle man. Much like my dad, when he saw me cry, his heart and soul melted. I could tell he felt as bad as my own dad did.
So there you go folks. That's my news and I'm sorry to BFF-E, and other close friends, for not telling you. I'd been hesitant from the get go to 'spread the word' for this fear alone. It's much easier to type then to speak to others.
I'm coping pretty good. I cried hard last night and today was C'mans B-day party. I wanted to have it. After all, it wasn't his fault i miscarried. It was a nice party and he is loving his toys.
I can't help tho but think back to Thursday night when DH and I were having another battle with Miss A about going back to sleep. I remember sitting on the toilet thinking 'Dear God, how am I going to handle 3 kids, I just don't know how I'm going to do it.' Then I started spotting Friday. I told my pastor this and she said that's the spiritual 'side' of me coming out. I remember too the doc looking me in the eye and saying there are 2 things you need to know: 1. you did nothing to cause this and honestly i can't remember #2.
DH seems to be fine. I always feel bad for men. Expressing emotions is no easy task. I think his main concern right now is me and my emotional and physical well being. I hope he can deal with it. I'm able to manage knowing that I'm not the first one to deal with this and I'm certainly not the last. I think of my dear niece who miscarried in to her 4th month and had to go thru labor and delivery. How can ANYONE get thru that.
This is another walk in my journey of Faith in God that helps me get thru this. It reminds me how blessed we truly are with C'man and the miracle birth of Miss A.
I'm going to go ahead and request testing to be done. I'm not sure will actively try for another child, we weren't this time around either. But I'm certainly not going to put myself thru this without knowing if this is going to continue to happen. My FF-S said that's how she knew they were done having kids. She had repeated, and i mean at least 3 miscarriages, and then on to 2 C-sections, and mentally she just couldn't deal with it anymore. I understand that now!!
I'm not sure if I'm going to blog anymore this upcoming week or not. Don't be surprised if i never blog about this again, but know I may too. Not sure what coping mechanism I'll use, if any. I'm going to go build trains with my two little blessings and thank God for them!!
I know for sure the first day of my last period so I just knew I couldn't be only 5-6 weeks along. There also was a heartbeat, but not very strong. Strong if i was 6 weeks but not if I was closer to 8. But i left feeling good just seeing the HB. After all, Miss A had a real slow HB and she came too after a couple more weeks.
Friday I started spotting and then yesterday was worse. We went to the ER b/c i just really wanted an ultrasound, or a LBC (Live Baby Check). We didn't get that far. I had a pelvic and discussed options with the doc. He gave us a couple options. Go ahead and have the u/s and see if the baby was alive, if not go in for surgery that night and have a D&C or go home and come back Monday and see where we're at. What wasn't helping us either is that my HCG was 1287? I knew w/o even seeing 'the chart' that was low. It actually isn't low if I was 5-6 weeks, but yes, I know I'm further along then that.
DH and I decided to just come home and wait it out. The doc thought that was a good idea. I have to say, he was the kindest, most gentle man. Much like my dad, when he saw me cry, his heart and soul melted. I could tell he felt as bad as my own dad did.
So there you go folks. That's my news and I'm sorry to BFF-E, and other close friends, for not telling you. I'd been hesitant from the get go to 'spread the word' for this fear alone. It's much easier to type then to speak to others.
I'm coping pretty good. I cried hard last night and today was C'mans B-day party. I wanted to have it. After all, it wasn't his fault i miscarried. It was a nice party and he is loving his toys.
I can't help tho but think back to Thursday night when DH and I were having another battle with Miss A about going back to sleep. I remember sitting on the toilet thinking 'Dear God, how am I going to handle 3 kids, I just don't know how I'm going to do it.' Then I started spotting Friday. I told my pastor this and she said that's the spiritual 'side' of me coming out. I remember too the doc looking me in the eye and saying there are 2 things you need to know: 1. you did nothing to cause this and honestly i can't remember #2.
DH seems to be fine. I always feel bad for men. Expressing emotions is no easy task. I think his main concern right now is me and my emotional and physical well being. I hope he can deal with it. I'm able to manage knowing that I'm not the first one to deal with this and I'm certainly not the last. I think of my dear niece who miscarried in to her 4th month and had to go thru labor and delivery. How can ANYONE get thru that.
This is another walk in my journey of Faith in God that helps me get thru this. It reminds me how blessed we truly are with C'man and the miracle birth of Miss A.
I'm going to go ahead and request testing to be done. I'm not sure will actively try for another child, we weren't this time around either. But I'm certainly not going to put myself thru this without knowing if this is going to continue to happen. My FF-S said that's how she knew they were done having kids. She had repeated, and i mean at least 3 miscarriages, and then on to 2 C-sections, and mentally she just couldn't deal with it anymore. I understand that now!!
I'm not sure if I'm going to blog anymore this upcoming week or not. Don't be surprised if i never blog about this again, but know I may too. Not sure what coping mechanism I'll use, if any. I'm going to go build trains with my two little blessings and thank God for them!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tagged
Catching up on reading blogs and noticed I've been tagged by Wendi. I must first say that I 'know' Wendi via Hannah's Prayers which is a Christian Infertility Support group online. I followed her blog for I think a couple years now!? We have a lot in common, Infertility, adoption, pregnancy, TALL, toddler boys, you get the idea. So she tagged me and I'm so honored:) By the way Wendi, I got the clothes back:) I haven't gone thru them but I'm sure everythings there.
The Rules: go to Your Pictures file go to the 5th folder open up the 5th picture and post it then tag 5 people when you are done.
This Miss A and I messing around..jpg)
So i will tag: 1BFF-E,
3Faith-Absolutely Normal Chaos,
OK now I need to go let these people know I tagged them!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Sadness
My heart is filled with sadness today, and probably for some time. My niece just started her 2nd trimester and miscarried yesterday. A beautiful baby boy named William. Her and her DH have been trying for years to get pregnant and then here of recently it was trying to STAY pregnant. This is the furthest she made it and things were looking good, till yesterday. She went to the bathroom and knew then. By the time she got to the hospital she was in full labor and there was nothing they could do. She delivered him @ 630PM and he was fully formed and alive. So very very sad. I just get tears in my eyes again.
So if you are a happy clapper kind of person, would you mind saying a prayer for 'Jill' that she would be able to grieve the loss of her baby and find the strength to carry one.
God be with you Jill and hubby!!
So if you are a happy clapper kind of person, would you mind saying a prayer for 'Jill' that she would be able to grieve the loss of her baby and find the strength to carry one.
God be with you Jill and hubby!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Better Then Sex Cake
How many of you have heard of this before? I was actually quite surprised my FF-La hadn't!? But maybe they call it something different. Anyway, it's a baked devils food cake, then you poke holes in it with a wooden spoon handle and pour: 
Sweet & Condensed Milk
Miss Richardson Carmel
Spread with whip cream and top it off with crunched up Heath Bars.
OH MY GOSH DELICIOUS!! I have now made 4 cakes in the last 3 weeks. BUT only 2 have stayed here and the LAST one, well i think i ate over HALF of it and it's all on my rear. I told myself yesterday 'I really really REALLY shouldn't but i just have to, have to, HAVE TO!!' and darn it, it was DELICIOUS!!
Sweet & Condensed Milk
Miss Richardson Carmel
Spread with whip cream and top it off with crunched up Heath Bars.
OH MY GOSH DELICIOUS!! I have now made 4 cakes in the last 3 weeks. BUT only 2 have stayed here and the LAST one, well i think i ate over HALF of it and it's all on my rear. I told myself yesterday 'I really really REALLY shouldn't but i just have to, have to, HAVE TO!!' and darn it, it was DELICIOUS!!
The best part is the longer it sits, the better it gets. It sits in that Carmel and Sweet & Condensed Milk and just gets gooey yummy. I really should have taken a picture of it with a piece out.
So here's some pictures
and if you'd like more detailed recipe, let me know! (wow that picture doesn't do it justice. Especially my attempt at putting chocolate on top?! Skip that part or do it better then i did:)
Now go make one, you'll love every bite of it!!
So here's some pictures
and if you'd like more detailed recipe, let me know! (wow that picture doesn't do it justice. Especially my attempt at putting chocolate on top?! Skip that part or do it better then i did:)Now go make one, you'll love every bite of it!!
Oh and here we are @ Thanksgiving. Sorry for the untrimmed window and deck doors, in the back ground. That will all be changing in the months to come as we have hired a contractor to trim out the kitchen, put new storms in the only 2 remaining original windows AND sheet rock the entire garage! Oh happy day!!
.jpg)
.jpg)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Advent Conspiracy
A video for your watching! The Advent Conspiracy
Hmm just got home from some power shopping with FF-S. I did put money in the bell ringers pot!!
Hmm just got home from some power shopping with FF-S. I did put money in the bell ringers pot!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sorry for being absent. Thanksgiving kind of threw me for a loop. We had my family (sister, BIL, niece, my parents, my g'father, and then DH's parents) here. It went considerably well. Late that afternoon the kids and I headed up to my hometown where we went to my G'parents for supper. DH stayed behind b/c they are still harvesting corn and he had to work the next day.
I did not partake in any early AM shopping the day after Thanksgiving. The only thing I did was run to Bomgaars and picked up a couple things there. My mom stayed with the kids at there place. Did any of you go shopping early? Divulge your finds and what it was like?
I had a purse sale on Saturday that didn't go well at all. So disappointing when you work so hard and it fizzles on you. I would really like to have very little inventory heading in to Christmas and the New Year. I've emailed a couple people about hosting a BOGO sale so hopefully one of them will do it.
My secret/surprise has leaked to a couple people. See I'm so horrible at it. But i must wait just a couple more days before sharing b/c then I'll want to play and imagine even more.
Oh Miss A has been doing better with the sleeping and fits. I'm telling you all, 2 weeks ago was truly one of the worst weeks for me. I can't remember having that bad of a week in like ages!? Maybe since IVF? But even that was just days, not weeks. OK maybe it was years. Things are looking better and I've found a couple things that have worked. Like last night when she woke up and wanted the light on and I told her no. Since I hadn't gotten in bed yet, I was ready to battle. I told her she was going to sleep in the basement if she was going to keep screaming. She did. So i took her downstairs, thru the entire house (it's a long ways to the basement) and by the time we got 1/2 way down the stairs she told me she wouldn't fuss anymore.
And guess what?? I laid her back in her bed and didn't hear a peep out of her till 630AM. So yeah, it may have worked this time and next time it may not, who knows.
C'man is done with his binkies it would appear. On T'giving I gave them a Thomas Ball Pit thing to play in. All THREE kids (mine and niece JoJo) and we said no more binky now. I had been telling him no more binky when he turned 4, but now he tells me he is 4. (not till 12-13) So I guess he wants to be 4. The other day I sat here at the computer listening to him and Miss A play and I heard him say 'you want to go to school 'A'? I'll have to talk to mommy'
He came and asked me and I told him what I'd been telling him. You have to be 4 and no more binkies.
He went back and said 'Mommy say you have to be 4 and no binkies, just like me.' There ended that conversation.
I did not partake in any early AM shopping the day after Thanksgiving. The only thing I did was run to Bomgaars and picked up a couple things there. My mom stayed with the kids at there place. Did any of you go shopping early? Divulge your finds and what it was like?
I had a purse sale on Saturday that didn't go well at all. So disappointing when you work so hard and it fizzles on you. I would really like to have very little inventory heading in to Christmas and the New Year. I've emailed a couple people about hosting a BOGO sale so hopefully one of them will do it.
My secret/surprise has leaked to a couple people. See I'm so horrible at it. But i must wait just a couple more days before sharing b/c then I'll want to play and imagine even more.
Oh Miss A has been doing better with the sleeping and fits. I'm telling you all, 2 weeks ago was truly one of the worst weeks for me. I can't remember having that bad of a week in like ages!? Maybe since IVF? But even that was just days, not weeks. OK maybe it was years. Things are looking better and I've found a couple things that have worked. Like last night when she woke up and wanted the light on and I told her no. Since I hadn't gotten in bed yet, I was ready to battle. I told her she was going to sleep in the basement if she was going to keep screaming. She did. So i took her downstairs, thru the entire house (it's a long ways to the basement) and by the time we got 1/2 way down the stairs she told me she wouldn't fuss anymore.
And guess what?? I laid her back in her bed and didn't hear a peep out of her till 630AM. So yeah, it may have worked this time and next time it may not, who knows.
C'man is done with his binkies it would appear. On T'giving I gave them a Thomas Ball Pit thing to play in. All THREE kids (mine and niece JoJo) and we said no more binky now. I had been telling him no more binky when he turned 4, but now he tells me he is 4. (not till 12-13) So I guess he wants to be 4. The other day I sat here at the computer listening to him and Miss A play and I heard him say 'you want to go to school 'A'? I'll have to talk to mommy'
He came and asked me and I told him what I'd been telling him. You have to be 4 and no more binkies.
He went back and said 'Mommy say you have to be 4 and no binkies, just like me.' There ended that conversation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
