Jumping Hurdles

Just keep swimming...

2011-08-29T12:07:00.000-06:00

Or tracking, however you want to look at it. The start of week three and yes, I have my tracker out and am using it! (an no, not as a coaster!) The weekends always seem pretty tough. This past weekend Eric and I headed to Lamar on Friday morning and watched Morgan's team play volleyball for 2 days. That meant eating out and having a few beers. But not at volleyball, afterwards. You know it takes a lot out of you watching volleyball. haha! And no, I didn't make wise choices like I could/should have. But I didn't over eat either. So this morning, to start off a new week, I wisely choose my workout capri's, t-shirt and running shoes, snapped on the pedometer, and went for a walk/jog. I did find out that my normal route, while adding jogging in, only takes 20 minutes. So I will have to add a couple extra streets or cul-de-sacs in next time! I did manage to lose a little weight last week, just like 4 or 6 tenths. I can't remember. My sister is supposed to be doing a spread sheet for this, but I only got it the very first week we weighed! Come on Terri, quit shirking your duties! ;) So....this week I am going to try to add more exercise into my days, move more (as I sit on my butt typing this) through out the day and just keep tracking!

My 2nd Week

2011-08-23T14:08:00.000-06:00

Sorry I left you all hanging. I know you're dying to know what's going on, what with all the comments I've been getting and all! lol I did manage to lose 2 lbs this past week. That means since I got home from Illinois, I have lost 5 total. Doesn't feel like it, but if I'm remembering correctly, it took about 15 lbs the last time to really feel different! I did slip up over the weekend. Weekends tend to get me! Eric's childhood friend, who also was our best man in our wedding, stopped to visit us on his way to South Dakota. We've been married 23 years, and it's the first time he's ever visited our home! Anyway, Friday night we all drank too much beer. Saturday we had everyone over for a steak dinner. I did drink wine, but did not indulge near as much as the night before. And there hasn't been a lot of exercise. But I am back to tracking and being good! Today I cleaned out the storage room in our basement, which means I was up and down the stairs a million times (yep, a million!). I do feel I got a good workout in because of that. I am still hoping I can talk Ashley into walking the dogs after supper. So...here's hoping for a little more weight loss this week!

Day Three

2011-08-17T20:27:00.000-06:00

Well, I made it through day three and did it all the way I'm supposed to! I was busy all day cleaning the basement, I mowed the lawn and Ashley and I took the dogs for a walk after supper. I tracked diligently, and actually got ALL 29 PointsPlus values in today! And Ashley and I even got supper from Dragon Inn. BUT....before I ordered, I looked up what I could have that would work for the PointsPlus values I had left (which was 17). And I used my WW measuring spoons to make sure I ate just exactly what I'm supposed to! And believe it or not, I had enough left over to have a WW's sundae. So I'm hoping that I keep up the work and see some results this Friday on the scale, no matter how small!

A Slight Set Back

2011-08-16T20:56:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I ate very carefully because I was making BLT's for supper. By time I went to bed, I had 7 points plus values left over. Oops...not what I'm supposed to do. Today I was still eating carefully, not really sure what we'd be having for supper. Ashley got home from work and announced she'd gotten a raise and now has full time hours. We decided to go out to celebrate (cause that's what we do, I can talk about non-food rewards all day long, but when it comes down to it, that's our favorite way to celebrate!). Luckily I still had 20 points plus values left. We decided to go to Coyote's. I made better choices than normal (still, no salad at a Mexican restaurant for this girl), chosing Corona Lite over margaritas, and shrimp tacos over enchiladas! Came home and figured it all out and only went 3 over. Not bad. So tomorrow, no celebrations, no eating out, no alcohol! Just eating right, moving more and oh yea, I have to clean.

Lets Get This Party Started

2011-08-14T15:10:00.000-06:00

I have another challenger! Aunt D even called me "young one"! lol So who else is up for the challenge? Don't be scared, this could be fun, and many times competition is the best willpower! The weekend was a little rough for me, but tomorrow is another day! There is this thing called exercise that I am going to revisit and another trick I've learned called tracking! Ha! Let's do this!

Um...hello?

2011-08-12T17:26:00.000-06:00

Well it said my last post was in April....August, April, they both start with an A! lol I have epicically failed at my first try at weight loss! And, so it seems, blogging. So here we go again! Last summer, my theme song was "Rocking the Beer Gut". I thought it was hilarious, but unfortunately, it was true. This summer, I guess it could (should?) be "Fat Bottom Girls". What I'm hoping for by November when we go home for my parents anniversary, it will be Santana's "Who's the Lady?" (Sexy lady!) So, once again, join me for this "thrill ride". This time I am bound and determined to be successful. I want to fit into my jeans when it comes time to wear them again. I was to feel good about myself. And, oh yea, there's this bet with my sister, niece and husband I'd like to win! lol

And I'm Back!

2011-04-21T17:19:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been a month! Didn't realize that until my mom asked how the weight loss was going, since I hadn't blogged! Well, my vacation to San Diego set me back a bit on the weight loss front. In fact, I didn't even weigh in the week I got back, decided to give myself some time. In fact, I knew I gained weight because I weighed myself at home. So then of course I also had a weekend trip to Alamosa, where Eric and I went out to eat and had margaritas. The next weekend was a road trip to Pueblo! So needless to say, I was excited when Ashley and I went for our weigh in and we both lost weight! Now if we can get through this weekend without too much excess eating, it'll be nice!
Have a Happy Easter everyone!

Back On Track

2011-03-13T19:39:00.000-06:00

Well, yesterday wasn't too great either! My goodness, weekends can get you! And I really tried hard for what I had going on. Oh well, I'll just keep trying my best. Today was a lot better. Of course I was home all day, that helped. I even made bacon and eggs for breakfast since Morgan was home! It was tough, but I only had 2 pieces of bacon! And I made my egg in a seperate pan, not in the bacon grease like I usually do. I also ate a lot more fruit today. I did make the most delicious supper, it is definitely a keeper. I made pork medallions with a mushroom marsala sauce, couscous and steamed broccoli (why haven't I tried that earlier, so much better than the frozen stuff!). The pork medallions were SO delicious...I think I want to have our friends over for dinner some night and make them. I am usually not a pork person, but seriously, these are so tender and juicy. Yummmm! I have 6 pointsplus values left for the day, so I think I am making a WW chocolate smoothie with a banana and a TBS of peanut butter. Its delicious!
So I think next Sunday I will post a picture with my sweat pants and Under Armour shirt on again. I am just a bit aprehensive about this weeks weigh in, since it's been a struggle this week!

Um....Opps?

2011-03-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

After a fantastic start in our weight loss, I feel I have blown it! Oops! Last night we went to the Wilson's for dinner. I took a veggie tray and some apples and strawberries with fat free carmel dip. And I took a bottle of wine and my new wine glass that has the measuring lines on it. I was set. I had one 4 oz glass of wine. And some veggies and fruit. Another 4 oz glass. Dinner was 2 small pieces of halibut, a small helping of stuffing, green beans, salad and a piece of jalapeno cornbread. And more wine. Then Gayle brought out her dessert, these absolutely delicious cookies (I ended up having 2, but hey, they were small), and a piece of cheesecake (also somewhat small). Oh, and more wine. By time we came home, after 11:00, I had drank an entire bottle of wine! I didn't even try to track everything! I am just going to finish the week assuming I used all my 49 weekly pointsplus allowances and will have to be diligent about staying at my daily points of 29! I can do this! I probably should throw in a little more exercise too. I gave up beer for Lent, and figured this would help me lose weight because I am not a big wine drinker. I figured a glass or 2 would be all I would drink. Guess I was wrong!

Sweeeeet!

2011-03-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

So today was the big day. Were we successful as far as the scale was concerned, or did we plan, shop, cook and track for nothing? Have you ever heard the saying "If you kinda do it, it kinda works, but if you REALLY do it, it really works"? Well, I have to say, that saying is so true! A weeks worth of eating smart, more fruits, more veggies, cooking instead of eating out or throwing a pizza in the oven paid off. I actually jumped off the scale and up and down when Robin told me "You lost 4.4 pounds!" While I was making a spectacle of myself, Ashley quietly told Lauren, our leader, that she was nervous because she was afraid she had gained. Well, quite the opposite, the child lost 5.4!!!! It just reaffirms to me that I need to actually follow the program as it is intended, not do "the Lisa plan". It actually feels quite great, and am ready to give week two another good effort. Ashley and I did go out to eat after the meeting. She had only used a few of her weekly points allowance, and I had used about half, so we decided we could treat ourselves. We went to Santeremo's, a wonderful family owned Italian restaurant. We both had one glass of wine, I had a side salad, and then for our entree, I had the homemade spaghetti with red sauce (no meat, it's Ash Wednesday afterall!), and Ashley had cheese ravioli. The food is delicious, but we shocked ourselves at only eating until we were satisfied, and brought the rest home. I was worried that my delish spaghetti would go to waste, but Ashley reminded me that Morgan will be home tomorrow for the weekened and I'm sure she'll eat it!
I also managed to get up again today and do the treadmill for my "Couch to 5K" program, so I'm trying to get the exercise going too. I was hoping to get some humor in today, but I am just so stink'n excited that we both did so well that I can't think of anything humorus to say! Just this...."SWEEEEEET"!

2011-03-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so yesterday I started, for the 3rd time, my Couch to 5K program. Dammit, I want to run an entire 5K!!! I also found out that Ashley and I both like California roll sushi. And that we need to go really easy on the wasabi! lol And it's really low in points! And I made a "crunchy chicken bake" and twice baked potatoes for supper and told everyone it better be good because it was a !itch to make! And wouldn't you know it, they both liked it, so I'm guessing they'll want it again some day. By the end of the day, I had 9 pointsplus values left over. So I did what anyone would do, and had dessert. Now keep in mind, it was a WW p.b. cup sundae for only 3 pointsplus values, so I took a tbs of p.b. and melted it and put it on top. It was DELISH! Unfortunately I still went to bed shy of eating all my points plus values. I'm trying! I'm anxious for our weigh in tomorrw. I'm hoping anywhere from 2 - 3 pounds, but I'll take whatever! Ashley's scared she'll gain. She's silly. She's been doing great! So wish us luck, next time you hear from me, you'll know if our first week was successfull or not!

Shaking It Up

2011-03-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

The topic last week of WW's was to shake things up, not to eat the same things all the time. Today Ashley and I went grocery shopping and made our weekly menu. We decided to try some new stuff (and actually said no to the cute little girl scouts selling cookies outside the store). First we bought some sushi. I have had it before, and I can not stand the seaweed stuff they wrap it in. But Dannette brought sushi over one night and it was good (had little or no seaweed), and so we decided to see if we could find the same stuff. Will probably eat that tomorrow. Ashley is going to try it, she's never liked it. Tonight for supper I made meatloaf. Now keep in mind, I have HATED meatloaf all my life. But, I decided to try this recipe for 2 reasons. 1) it's a WW recipe and 2) it wasn't a typical meatloaf recipe. There was no ketchup or ketchup like sauce in or on it. It was actually made with mushrooms and beef, a little garlic and onions, spices and one egg. It was delicious! I liked it, Ashley liked it and Eric really liked it! As we say when I try something new, "It's a keeper!" So keep reading throughout the week and see what new stuff we try.

A Minor Bump in the Road

2011-03-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

Day #3 of tracking. I think I'll be fine, but hoping nothing unexpected happens this week! We went to dinner at our friends, the Pendley's last night. That was the easy part, I took WW's taco soup and a WW corn bread, and Carrie had a delish salad. Like I said, the easy part. But after dinner, we all went to a fundraiser poker tournament. I didn't play, but sat around drinking beer and visiting. I'm pretty sure I used all my weekly points allowance last night! I did well staying away from the snack table until the very end (we were out until after 1:00 a.m.), when I finally started munching on some pretzels. I needed to soak up some beer! Ashley did way better, and stayed out later than I did! She only had 2 drinks all night while out in Foco with Kevin! I would exercise to get some extra pointsplus values back, but I'm totally hungover! Maybe I'll do that tomorrow! I'm also hoping I can get my lazy butt up Monday morning and go to the cardio class I haven't been to in a few months. If I do happen to make it, expect to see a blog of me whining about how sore I am next week! Until then, I'm just gonna sit on the couch, nursing my hangover and knowing I have plenty of my daily points target left!

A Good Start

2011-03-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

Day one of being "on plan" again is going ok. It doesn't seem like I've eaten much, but I am going to have a nice supper. My friend gave me a crabcake receipe that was WW's a long time ago. Since we have a new way of calculating points, I put it throught the recipe builder on e-tools and had a nice surprise. They went from 6 points on the old plan to 2 pointplus values per crabcake on the new plan! Yay! Ashley is now busily writing pointsplus values on very food item in our pantry. Believe it or not, she likes doing that! So, wish us luck, day one is almost over! :)

Our Last Supper...

2011-03-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

Cahoy style anyway. Tonight Ashley and I went to our WW meeting. The first for Ashley, and really, the first for me in 10 years since I became a leader. We decided that we would go out for dinner after the meeting for a last "eat whatever we want" supper. We went to the Rio, Mexican food. Yum. I had seafood enchiladas (seafood is very low in points plus values you know!), which came with rice and beans. Ashley had a chicken burrito, smothered in queso. I wasn't able to finish mine, Ashley went ahead and polished hers off. Oh, did I mention I ate a bunch of chips and salsa (Ashley ate some, but not as much as I did), and had 2 Corona Lights? Althought I enjoy food and drinks, I also enjoy fitting into my clothes and feeling good about myself. I am excited to start this journey again, this time with Ash, and hopefully, have as much success as I did the first time!

A New Kind of Tuesday

2011-03-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today is the first Tuesday in 10 years that I don't have to do my WW meetings (other than vacations of course). I am not going to wallow in self pity, I will not eat my way through the day. Nope, I am doing something so much better, I'm getting a massage! I haven't had a massage since October (maybe Sept??) and I know it's going to feel SO good! Only problem is, it only lasts an hour, so I hope I don't feel the need to eat my way through the rest of the day! Nahhhh...I'll be good!

No Followers Here

2011-02-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

You know how people always say they will start their "diet" on Monday. Well not me, no sir-ee, I am starting Thursday! Ashley and I are going to start going to WW meetings on Wednesday night. We decided to start tracking on Thursday, because Ashley needs to get her materials. Good excuse right? And who wants to do what everyone else does? Not us, nope, we're trail blazers!

What? It's Sunday?

2011-02-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Well crap! It's Sunday already! I decided NOT to post a picture of my in that Under Armour shirt because, truly, nothing has changed. I tried...I cooked Monday night, Tuesday was my bad day, pity party and all. Wednesday Eric was gone, I had to work, Thursday Morgan came home and we went to Justin's basketball game, and Friday I had company for dinner, which I fully intended to cook for, but then, well, I just didn't get around to it. So I am hoping that I can do a little better this week! You see, life came at me full force, and I wilted like spinach in the hot summer sun! I had a pity party, I skipped meals, I had a pretzel (with a diet soda, of course) at the basketball game and since I had the baby on Friday from 7:00 to 4:30, and I cleaned while he slept, I found no time to make the chili and cornbread I intended too! So I failed this week as a "loser", but I am hoping that this week will find me in a better state of mind, with more will power and a tiny more successful! :0

So Long Good Day

2011-02-22T17:53:00.001-07:00

Well, today started out good! I was in an excellent mood, had Fiber Plus cereal for breakfast, took an apple with me to work and the day went grand. Then after my 12:30 traveler meeting my TM and I sat down for a meeting. I will no longer be leading the Tuesday morning and noon meetings. I understand their reasoning, because, afterall, it is a business, but I have been doing the morning meeting for 10 years! I don't even get to tell my members goodbye! Anyway, after having a successful start to my "new beginning", I didn't have lunch, got home at 2:30 and needed to do a few errand, so Ashley and I did those and ended up at Coyotes Southwestern Grill...around 4:00. Had 2 margaritas and enchiliadas. Not sure I feel better, but I sure don't feel worse right now! Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Oatmeal or cupcakes?

2011-02-21T12:44:00.003-07:00

Well, today started off pretty good. I got up and got on my treadmill (remind me to dust it, will you?), and re-started my "Couch to 5K" program. Then I did a few crunches and stretches. I traded the yummy red velvet mini cupcakes with a ton of cream cheese frosting, for a breakfast of oatmeal and a banana. Then I went grocery shopping. Ashley and I actually sat down last night and made a menu for an entire week! I am really good at making a menu for Monday through Thursday, and giving myself the weekend to "have fun". But, thanks to Ashley, we decided to make that menu for the entire 7 days of the week! So now I have most of the ingredients for everything (can't believe Wal-Mart doesn't have lobster ravioli) and will try to find the rest at another store. So far, I don't feel any different. What? It takes longer than a day? Patience and persistance is what I always tell my memebers, if only someone would tell me!

My "Ah-ha" Moment

2011-02-20T11:42:00.004-07:00

I haven't blogged in a couple of years, but today, all that changes. I put on a new Under Amour shirt and really took a look at myself, it wasn't pretty. What have I done to myself I ask. So, things are going to change, and I'm hoping you are going to help!

You see, I'm a Weight Watchers leader. I started my journey in September, 1999 and I was SO successful I went to work for them when I reached lifetime. But the years came and went and my weight went up and down, but in the past year, I haven't seen it go down. But I haven't worried about it either. And then came the Under Armour shirt. You see that? Ick! So my hope is this...I will write as often as possible about my weight loss journey, the highs and lows, the funny things and the things that make me scream. I plan on posting a picture of myself weekly in this Under Armour shirt, and am hoping we all see a difference! And I'm also hoping that I will get comments from those that read this. We all have our struggles, and this is mine. Join me on my journey, and maybe I won't fall on my face!

Ewww, Gross

2007-08-27T09:34:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, while home alone, I had passed the youngest daughter's bathroom one time too many. I noticed how the entire counter space was cluttered with wash cloths, hair products, face products, make-up, her blow dryer, curling iron and straightener. And to top it all off, everything was covered in long hair, including the sink. I decided it was time for a good 'ole "Mom" cleaning. It took me 45 minutes! Several things were thrown away, drawers were cleaned out, as was underneath the sink. Certain things found new homes, including the blowdryer, brush and comb, which got it's own drawer. And the hair, heavens, I'm not sure how she has any still on her head! There was hair in the sink, on the counters, stuck in hair wraps, pony tail holders, in her comb....just everywhere! I got it all sparkling, clean, and hair free. And believe it or not, when the daughter got home and went to her bathroom, the first thing I heard was "MOM!!!! Thanks!" That's all I really need.

Whoops!

2007-08-22T13:52:00.001-06:00

We're still ironing out the kinks in the schedule I guess. As I am 20 miles from home returning a shirt Morgan had bought last Sunday, I get a phone call from her.

M: "Um, I can't eat."

Me: "Why?"

M: "You forgot to give me money and we don't have any in the lunch account."

Me: "Crap, is there anyone who can loan you some money?"

M: "I don't know, maybe I'll just bum stuff off of people why they eat."

Me: "I am SO sorry!"

I felt awful...I knew that ala cart was going to be cash ony this year and I did send her with $5 the day before. Unfortunately, I had no idea how much, if any, money we had in the lunch account from the year before. Apparently there is none! Not a good thing when she has vball practice right after school for 2.5 hours! Luckily she called about 20 minutes later to tell me that Javier bought her lunch! Shoooo! Guess tomorrow I'd better send extra so she can repay her debt!
We'll get this right eventually!

Back to School

2007-08-21T06:53:00.000-06:00

Today Morgan goes back to school. The kid that can sleep until noon during the summer has been up since 6:00 a.m. I'm sure she'll be beautiful by the time we leave at 7:30. She even ironed the jean skirt she's wearing! I'm hoping back to school means back to a schedule (and me back to working out).
Oh, by the way, we still haven't gotten any further on the room situation. Maybe I'll work on it tomorrow....

What am I waiting for?

2007-08-17T15:40:00.000-06:00

Morgan has been anticipating taking over Ashley's room for a few months now. It's 16 x 22 (over the garage) and her room is a mere 11 x 12. We need to clean up the stuff that Ashley left, clean up Morgan's orginal room, paint the "new" room and then move and rearrange stuff. We've barely done anything so far. I did go into the "new" room and pick up stuff today. That's about it. Morgan took some stuff down off her own walls. She finally made a decision on a paint color. So instead of heading back upstairs and working on something I took a short nap and then came down to the computer...yea, things are getting done that way!

Time Flies

2007-08-15T08:52:00.001-06:00

I think we all know that time flies. Sometimes it just goes by faster than others. It was a month ago today when I posted last. It's not that I've been having fun either! In the past month, I have been back to IL for my grandma's funeral (may she rest in peace, she was wonderful person), then back again for a family reunion and to move the oldest since she is going to college there. We stayed for 9 full days...that was a bout 4 days too long.
I will go back again on Labor Day weekend. This time, I am flying! Ashley will move into her dorm that weekend and I want to be there. Plus after they move into the dorms, there are several "meetings" that the student and parents are supposed to go to. They are mandatory for the student....like she would go if I wasn't there. I guess it will seem more final when we move her into the dorm, right now it seems as if she's just off visiting my family.

Morgan has already started volleyball practice. She's sore. Nothing like sitting around grandma and grandpa's forever, then come home to 2-a-days....first practice of the day is for 2.5 hours and the 2nd if for 2 hours. She starts school next Tuesday. Where did summer go?

The hubby has finally decided he wants to lose weight. He did his first week of "tracking" on his own, didn't even tell me. And this is while he was in TX for work. Believe it or not, he lost 12 pounds his first week! MEN! It will slow down, but I am so happy, he needs to start taking better care of himself. He told me his next goal is to start working out at the gym. Good, maybe that will get me back in there too!

They say time flies when your having fun, but I really think they should change that saying to "Time flies when you're super busy".

Sisterly Love

2007-07-15T19:47:00.000-06:00

When my girls were little, I worried that they'd never like each other. Especially since Ashley was adamant for a long time that she wished she were an only child. Morgan wanted to like her sister, but since big sis didn't want much to do with her, it was a tad hard to be nice. They fought like no other, hitting, kicking, slapping, shoving, things that exhausted me to no end. I prayed that some day it would be different. I would tell them that some day they'd be friends and Ashley always insisted they wouldn't be. About 2 or 3 years ago, as Morgan matured and I guess quit being so annoying, they actually started liking each other. When Ashley started driving, she had no problem (for the most part) picking Morgan up from her sporting practices or taking her places. Of course, they still have the occasional fight, usually about clothes borrowing or public behavior one finds annoying or wrong, but they now are genuinely friends. I saw the biggest act of sisterly love today. I was sitting in the back seat of Ashley's car, Ashley, of course, was driving, Morgan in the passenger seat. Morgan looked at Ashley and said "You have a booger".....Ashley looked in the mirror and said, "Eww, I do", so Morgan grabbed a tissue and said "I'll get it for you", reached over, took care of her sisters booger and tried to hand me the tissue. Frankly, I've never laughed so hard or been so grossed out in my life. But I really like this side of the girls, it's SO much nicer than the fighting girls they once were!

Things Forgotten...

2007-07-13T12:42:00.000-06:00

There are many things I remember about my childhood. Sometimes my parents don't even remember some of the stuff I do. But there was something that I had forgotten all about until I was back "home" in Illinois last week.

I took Chester outside about 10:00 p.m. to do his final duty of the day so I could get to sleep. I was standing on the steps of my parents deck, looking out over their expansive back yard that ends in a ravine with many huge trees. I thought my eyes were a bit tired, as I was seeing flashes of light in the trees. I squinted, still saw them. Then I saw one right in front of my face. I had forgotten all about lightening bugs! What amazed me is that in the trees, it really looked like a light show! Out here in CO, we don't have lightening bugs, or June bugs, Japanese beetles and the host of other bugs I seriously don't miss. But it would be kind of neat to have lightening bugs here....their light shows at night are awesome!

Reality is Setting In

2007-07-04T17:59:00.001-06:00

We're heading back to IL to register Ashley for college. Since she plans on staying with my folks after our family reunion (in August) until school starts, I suggested we pack some stuff she doesn't need right now (like winter clothes and such) to take with this trip. She put it off until late this afternoon (we leave tomorrow), even though I'd been suggesting the packing for over a week. She asked me to help her. It was very weird for both of us as she took almost all the clothes out of one side of her closet, took probably have of the DVD's she has in her room, all her yearbooks and a couple of photo albums, half of her shoes and all her scarves, hats and gloves. She kept saying "this is hard". I'm not sure if it was hard deciding what to pack, or hard because she realized she would be moving out soon. Either way, it's not something I look forward too. Years ago, I used to say I would be ready for the kids to go to college. Now that it is upon me, I'm thinking it would be easier if she would go to college in CO instead of IL! I know, I'll get used to her being gone, but I'm to have a hard time for awhile!

Highs & Lows of Camping

2007-07-02T19:34:00.000-06:00

We just got back from a camping trip and I thought I'd post some of the good and bad of camping!

The Good:

1) After everything is set up, you just get to relax

2) Campfires

3) S'mores

4) Sitting around with family/friends and talking

5) If possible, going to the lake and/or boating

6) Not being the only person to cook a meal or clean it up!

7) I'm spoiled, I have a bathroom with a shower in my camper!

8) Spoiled still, we have a/c

9) The kids can take friends and keep themselves entertained

10) Enjoying cocktails and not having to drive home!

The Bad

1) Packing everything

2) Setting up the camper (there is always some problem)

3) Trying to keep the camper picked up, it's a small space!

4) People who come to camp with you but don't contribute to meals

5) Going home and having to unpack and clean the camper

As you see, the good out-weighs the bad, therefore, I am ready to hit the road again!

Smarty Pants

2007-06-27T08:37:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was down here wasting time on the computer when Ashley came and asked if I had done something (or would do it), I can't even remember what it was. When I said that I was on the computer because I was procrastinating, she replied "Well, that is what you do best". Hey, I gotta be good at something!

In Only...

2007-06-25T09:55:00.000-06:00

If only we all had the metabolism of a 15 year old! Yesterday the girls and I had breakfast at Cracker Barrel on our way to Estes Park. Morgan ordered pancakes (I think there were 3), the hashbrown casserole and a side of fried apples. When she polished off all of that, she ate one of my eggs and a piece of her sisters bacon (and possibly a biscut, I can't remember). About an hour and a half later, she ate a sandwich up in Estes. About 2 hours after that, she ate a chicken sandwich on our way back home, then half a quesedilla about 5:30. The girl just never fills up! Then again, today and tomorrow she will be playing about 8 hours of volleyball a day at a camp in NE. Maybe if we were all as active, we would have the metabolism of a 15 year old!

What the heck!

2007-06-18T14:40:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was the longest day of my life (seems anyway). Our flight was supposed to leave D.C. at 7:35. We were about 30 miles from the airport (to bad we didn't fly into Ronald Reagan airport, 2 miles from our hotel!). We got up at 4:30 a.m. To us in mountain time, that is 2:30 a.m.!!!!!!!!! Ashley's choir got in at 8:30 last night. It was also Father's Day, so I indulged the hubby and went to play golf. Needless to say, I never napped at all yesterday and was up for 20 hours straight. Those of you who know me well know I like my sleep. Even Ashley asked on the way home from the airport (which is an hour from where we live), "should I be driving?"

Today I slept in until 8:20. The girls and I all had chiro appointments at 10:00, then we ran some errands, got lunch and came home. I decided I should really take a nap. That was 45 minutes ago. In that 45 minutes my phone rang 5 times. Needless to say, I decided to just get up. I'm pretty sure there is some alarm on my couch that lets people know I've just laid down. Then after the alarm goes off, it says "Please call Lisa now". Only I'm not very nice when trying to nap, so maybe next time, they should ignore that alarm if they know what's good for them!

Putting off the Inevitable

2007-06-12T14:31:00.000-06:00

I worked today. Came home and then took the girls out to lunch. Now I'm "checking e-mails and blogs". What I should be doing is packing. I love taking trips, but I just hate packing and getting ready. I need to get this done before 5:30, because I have to go back to work and usually don't get home until about 8:00. I can't leave for D.C. if I'm not packed, so why am I putting it off?

You Don't Hear This Every Day!

2007-06-11T08:51:00.000-06:00

The other day I was getting ready for work and in my usual routine, I put on my foundation then reached for the concealer to cover up those pesky dark circles under my eyes. Only my concealer wasn't there. Grrrrr....who "borrowed" it? Since both of the girls were still asleep, I just went into their bathrooms and looked around. Nope, not there. So I went into their rooms. I found Ashley's concealer, so I'm sure she didn't borrow it. I found nothing in Morgan's room. Ticked me off. I went back to Ashley's room and borrowed hers (I used it in her room so it remained where I found it). Later, when I got home from work I asked both of the kids if they had borrowed my concealer. They both claimed they had not. Now I had already tore my makeup drawer apart, so I know it wasn't in there. When the hubby got home from work I said to him "I know this is going to sound funny, but did you happen to do something with my concealer?" His answer...."Yea, I took it to work with me". What??? Apparently he had a rather large red zit on his nose, so he decided he needed some assistance with that. I asked him how I was supposed to cover up the dark circles under my eyes. Evidently I do a good job covering them up since he was flabbergasted that I use it for anything other than a blemish (which I rarely get). So how many of you can say your hubby's have taken your concealer to work with them? Probably not many!

Everyday Life Tip 101

2007-06-08T07:44:00.001-06:00

If you are leaving the house and you have an automatic garage door, open it on your way out to the garage (if you have a button on the wall of the garage). Do not wait until you get into your vehicle and start it up. It's not good for the garage door, your vehicle or your husbands mood.

It Was Just a Thought

2007-06-04T17:05:00.000-06:00

The other day I noticed a prong on my wedding ring was sticking up. On each side of the"main"diamond, there are 3 small diamonds. I've had the prongs fixed several times. I've had 2 of the diamonds replaced. I just had the prongs fixed about 2 months ago, since they started to snag on everything. So I noticed that one prong, sticking out and I began to think. Maybe I should suggest to the hubby that I get a new wedding ring. Pick out my own setting, but use the diamonds I have in my original ring. Our 19th wedding anniversary is next month. I would really like something platinum. Never until recently have I thought about getting a different ring. But since I've had to have 2 diamonds replaced and the prongs repaired several times...I thought it just might be a good idea to mull around for a year or so.

Today I looked down at my hand and what-do-you-know, one of the small diamonds is gone. From the place where the prong was sticking up. Maybe I really should get a new ring.

Out of the Groove

2007-05-30T08:17:00.001-06:00

For a while there I was totally into losing weight and working out. I had a goal in mind. I was motivated. I missed my goal by .4 lbs. Yea, "point" 4. Then came a road trip and then graduation. I figured no biggie, when everyone left, I'd get back on track. It still hasn't happened. I've only worked out once and I haven't gotten back to tracking my food intake. My workout excuse is my lower back, which is still bothering me. My lack of a good diet is simply laziness and bad habits. If anyone has some inspirational motivation for me, please share!

Oh, and just a little side bar....Advil P.M. works great, after a couple of sleepless nights due to the back pain I took just one and barely woke up by 8:00 today! Good thing I don't work on Wednesdays!

Reappearing

2007-05-26T14:23:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's been almost a month since I last blogged! Things got crazy and hectic and my brain just couldn't come up with anything interesting to write. It's still somewhat of a blank page these days! But in the past month this is what's been going on...

I went with the oldest daughter to IL so she could attend her boyfriends prom.

I attended the youngest daughter's regional track meet to see her qualify in 3 out of 4 events for state. I honestly can say track was not boring that day!

I met a few times with 3 other moms to plan our daughter's graduation party. It is kind of hectic trying to get 4 women to agree on everything, but we some how managed to do so!

I prepared for company. Eight extra people converged on my home for graduation.

I did get to golf once...at least it was 18 holes.

I made it through the graduation party, even with a meltdown by my mom. Frankly, I thought everything went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves.

I also made it through graduation, with another melt down by my mom, and although I got teary eyed a few times, I never actually cried. I did however, have a few drinks after the ceremony!

My youngest daughter finished school on Thursday and when I returned home she announced she is officially a sophomore. Something I really didn't want to hear, seeings how the oldest just graduated.

I am almost back to normal, if there is such a thing. I am tired still and have somehow managed to do something to my lower back (pelvis and tailbone area) that is quite painful. I am getting treatment and probably should go ice it. Which also reminds me I'm older physically than I feel mentally.

I am back....

Number 42

2007-04-30T21:14:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. It was actually a really good day. Even if I did turn 42. It's funny, because I really don't feel 42, but then again, I'm not sure if 42 has an exact feeling! I was surprised I had such a nice day though, the hubby and I worked after prom from Saturday evening at 10:30 until 4:00 a.m. Sunday. We got home and let the dogs go out, then crawled in bed. At 7:15 Libbie woke me up scratching at the door. I let her up. At 8:05 all the dogs barked at something. I'd already been laying there, awake, so Igot up. After reading the paper and playing a little solitare, I decided at 11:00 I was going back to bed. Two phone calls and a sleepless hour later, I got up and showered. Our friends came out and we sat outside in the 89 degree weather, played "washers", it's an outdoor game we usually play while camping, and then finally found shade and a breeze and sat and visited. We had a nice steak dinner (thanks to the hubby for finely cooked, yummy steaks and Dave & Alex for the cheesey potato casserole and salad and my cake). Oh yea, the red velvet cake was delish too! I opened a few gifts and loved every one of them. I actually made it up until 10:00 that night, and slept the entire night without waking up one time. It was heaven!

I'm Home!

2007-04-27T12:41:00.000-06:00

Silly as that sounds, it's nice to be home for an afternoon! Unfortunately, I am not going to get a pedicure today. The hubby called this morning and they left TX earlier than normal, so he should be home around 3:00. That said, I need to get the house picked up some. Although I should be allowed to do something for me, I also know that the hubby is a much happier man when he gets to come home to a neat and somewhat clean house. And since he's been gone all week, I really haven't done anything other than laundry (some of which is still in baskets), so it certainly is a good excuse to get things done. Plus the hubby asked if I wanted to go golfing when he got home. It's a beautiful day and I haven't golfed once this year, so I readily agreed. At least I am not sitting somewhere, twiddling my thumbs and thinking of all the things I need to get done....once I get off this computer, I'll be able to get those things done!

Another Wasted Afternoon

2007-04-26T19:06:00.000-06:00

So yesterday I spent the afternoon at the Verizon store. Today, I spent it at the Dodge dealership. I was due for an oil change and I was also told the last time I was there that I needed a new seal for the front differential (whatever that is), because it was leaking. It had to be ordered. So I made the appointment to get them both done at once. One hour and 45 minutes after sitting there, the service guy finally said he'd check and see what was taking so long. Apparently I had the slowest mechanic working on my vehicle, since people came and went in the service department while I waited. I did think ahead and brought along the open house invitations for Ashley's graduation party to fill out while sitting there. I also watched a little CNN on the Phil Spector case (he's guilty simply because he's so creepy looking!). But seriously folks, I am tired of wasting my afternoons sitting in someone's store or service department! Tomorrow I'm spending my afternoon at my house, then getting a pedicure!

"The Network"...

2007-04-25T15:45:00.000-06:00

Can kiss my .....oops! I just spent the most stressful afternoon in a Verizon store! All I wanted was a new phone for Morgan, who had dropped hers in the toilet. She was paying for it and had it picked out. It was cheaper if I added a line (then dropped one), and I wanted to change my plan to the new unlimited text etc. to any network. I was there over two hours!!!! The "store manager" although very nice, seemed a bit incompetent. He had to call the help desk and have them walk him through the computer program. They couldn't get the phone to activate and then he implied that Morgan's old phone was damaged because he didn't have the right cord to transfer her phone book. I know the stoopid thing wasn't damaged because I had just plugged it in and charged it to make sure it *wasn't* working before I let her buy a new one. And since "Mr. Manager" was the only one working, 3 other customers walked out while I was there. I am this [] close to hitting my weight goal, so I talked myself out of eating chocolate when I got home, instead I chose a mini bag of 94% fat free kettle corn. I can't say it's doing the trick to de-stress me, but I'll live.

The Calm after the Storm

2007-04-23T13:13:00.000-06:00

Last night everything came to a head in the "4 way party". The two girls who have been somewhat difficult finally decided to actually tell Ashley & Kelsey why they were mad. It was more about Prom than the party! That and they said that Ashley was making all the decisions on things and she told them that if they would make time to come over and discuss things, then she wouldn't have to "be in charge". They were all here for lunch today and I told them it would be a good idea if they could find a time they all could go shopping for decorations. If they want to be in on the decision making, then need to actually do something. So for now, all is calm in graduation party land.....for now.

Oh, the Stress

2007-04-21T16:44:00.000-06:00

Graduation is right around the corner. Ashley and her bff, Kelsey, decided they wanted a party together. They mentioned this to two other friends, who decided they wanted to have their party with Ash & Kels. I had reserved the clubhouse in our addition. They have rules, like no more than 40 people, with cameras installed. I figured we could get around this, beings it's an open house and people don't hang around (plus there will be no alcohol). But the other day 3 of the moms (well, me included) had a meeting to discuss costs and numbers. With family and the friends the 4 girls are inviting, we're looking at 250 to 300 people!!! So I quickly made a phone call, after a sleepless night of worry, to our local community center and as luck would have it, it was available for the night in question. I called the other 3 moms and asked their opinion. One was all for it, one never called me back and the other was wishy-washy. She then called me back and said her daughter was "opposed" to it. Now....this is my thoughts....the clubhouse I reserved is in my neighborhood. If I get caught breaking the rules it will be my family who gets fined and perhaps even prohibited from using the facility. No one else in this "charade" lives here. The community center isn't the most beautiful place, it's in a basement of an older building, but it's very open, lots of space and tables and chairs and no restrictions on how many people. There are things called decorations that you can use to spruce up a place. It also has a small kitchen that can be used. This has caused a big rift with the girls and I haven't even spoken to the parent who keeps calling me to say she's not sure they want to have it there. And another point is that I am the only one who has checked out other options. I've checked our country club for their dining room and newly covered patio (already booked), reserved the clubhouse, just in case it was needed, and called the community center. Ashley is stressing because the 4 girls had their pictures taken for invites to the party and we need to get them made, but the same girl who doesn't want to have it at the community center is the same girl who can't find the time to come over and help make a decision on which picture to use. It's kind of a nightmare. I'm really wishing just Ashley and Kelsey were having this party....it would be so much easier!

Only In a Small Town

2007-04-18T12:42:00.000-06:00

Today I was heading home after running a few errands and I happened to be driving down the main street of our town. Who do I happen to see, but our mayor. He was riding his bike down the street, dressed in a flannel shirt and sweat pants, his oxgyen tank strapped to his back. He was pulling a cart with his bike and as I got closer, I could see what was in it.....his dog. Yep, I bet you don't see things like this in "the big city".

Think First

2007-04-13T21:06:00.000-06:00

Recently, we've all been listening/reading about Don Imus' "open mouth/insert foot" moment. He referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy headed ho's" because they are black women, with tattooos. He sterotyped them. They are actually well educated women who happened to be talented athletes. I know this only too well. I have a beautiful, smart and very witty 17 year old daughter who seems to be sterotyped constantly. Why? She dyes her hair black (I find it beautiful myself), she has a nose ring, two piercings in her ears and a belly button ring (seriously, most people don't see those piercings, between clothing and hair) and a tattoo, also covered by clothing. So I'm guessing that most people see the nose ring and dyed black hair. It took her over a year to get a job, whereas most of her friends were hired by the first or 2nd application. She went to our local library and when she asked for an application, the elderly, retired elementary teacher who works there, looked her up and down and said "for a job???" Unfortunately, they didn't even consider her. And believe me, the girls loves to read. She scored a 34 on the reading portion of her ACT test. She loves books. In fact, if future employers and people who just dismiss her on her looks would pay attention, they'd know she is a smart, atrictulate and beautiful person. Even when she goes to her dad's hometown (which is quite small), she's known as the "goth girl". She's not goth, in any sense of the way, she's just not "the norm". She loves to be who she wants to be. This "outcast" received a presidential scholarship, general music scholarship and travel scholarship from her college of choice. She'll be someone in the future. And to all those people who dismiss her because she's "different"....someday you'll be sorry, you'll wish you took the time to get to know her, and you'll say, "maybe she wasn't so different!"

It's deceiving

2007-04-11T12:59:00.000-06:00

Look out my window today and you'll see clear blue skies and a bright sun. Step outside my door and you're likely to get blown down the street by a fierce, cold wind. I think I'd rather stay inside and pretend it's nice.

What Family?

2007-04-09T12:50:00.000-06:00

For 18 years I have lived away from any family. I've gotten used to it and for the most part, can't imagine living really close to family again. But yesterday, on Easter Sunday, I felt a pang of nostalgia for "the old times". You see, our Easter was fairly uneventful. We got up and went to church. We came home and ate some candy (the girls found their Easter baskets before church). We went to the country club and had brunch. That was it. I took a nap that afternoon and Ashley and I watched some prime time TV last night. But I spoke with my mom earlier in the day and of course back in IL the family gets together. They had Easter dinner at my cousin's house where they had an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. Thinking of a nice family holiday dinner and watching little kids' excitement at finding eggs made me miss it all. My kids said they would have liked to have eggs to find, but it's not the same watching 17 and 15 year old girls hunt for eggs! So, for a day, I wish I lived closer to home.

Poltergeist?

2007-04-05T19:34:00.000-06:00

After discovering an open window in my basement yesterday (which couldn't have blown open, as it slids open sideways, nice thought tho), a couple other weird things happened. Ashley and I pulled into the garage after running some errands and heard music. The stereo that sits on a shelf in there was playing. Baffled, I went over and turned it off. Still wracking my brain trying to figure out the window thing, now I'm wondering how the stereo got turned on. Then while watching the news at 10:00, the electricity went out! The dog started scratching at the basement door, so I let her up, I hunted down a flashlight and the girls ended up down in my room. We waited for awhilel for the electricity to come back on, but I finally got too tired. Luckily there are cell phones and the girls found out the electricity was out in other parts of our town, not just our place or cul-de-sac, so I felt a little better about that. But I had 2 teenage girls sleep with me, along with Chester (lucky I have a king size bed), and the two big dogs slept on my floor. Ashley thinks it's poltergeist. I think it was just a weird twist of events!

Officially Freaked Out

2007-04-04T10:31:00.000-06:00

Monday night I put Libbie down the basement as I headed to bed. She's not allowed to sleep on the main floor (or even upstairs with the kids) because she barks at everything. Don't feel bad for her, she sleeps on the couch. Anyway, the wind was howling and she started barking up a storm. I figured something was blowing against the basement windows. I yelled at her then went to bed. Yesterday I never made it down here, too busy. Today I came down to check my e-mail and thought it was awfully cold, when I looked at the window, which was wide open! So now I'm wondering how long it's been open and if someone opened it and that's what she was barking at. I promptly closed it and locked it and checked around the basement for anything weird or out of place. It's pretty messy right now, so it's hard to tell. Tonight, I will make sure ALL windows are closed and locked!

The Joke's on Me

2007-04-02T12:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I got up at 6:15 and showered and got ready to go to Morgan's volleyball tournament. I was pretty excited because it was at our high school. No driving 2 - 3 hours south, so I didn't have to get up so steenkin early. I woke up the hubby and Morgan right about 7:00. Eric said my clock was screwed up. My clocks is a fawncy one that resets itself after the electricity will go off, you set your time zone so it changes during the Day Light Savings Time. There's no way it was wrong. Hubby's clock said 6:15, I went out to the kitchen and it said 5:57, I was confused. Then the hubby clued me in.....this was the original weekend for Day Light Savings time to spring forward. My clock reset itself at 2:00 a.m. I had gotten up needlessly at 5:15. I was not amused by the April Fools joke the government just played on me!

Um...hello....spring??

2007-03-29T08:01:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning to howling winds, snow flurries, and cold temps. And garbage duty. YUCK! What happened to the 60's and 70's we've been enjoying the past few weeks? I'll take those any day! Of course I'm thinking Morgan and I jinxed the weather yesterday by going out and buying ourselves some spring clothes. I had gift cards from Christmas I hadn't used yet. I was planning on wearing the new skirt and sleeveless shirt with the bejeweled flip flops I found to work today. But nope, I'm wearing khaki pants, a button down shirt and a corduroy blazer. I guess it could have been worse, I was going to wash my Durango yesterday!

On other news, Morgan and I went and joined Snap Fitness, we have an appointment today at 1:30 to have the gal show us how all the machines work. And I know we're going to be on the elipticals...they're nice!

It's Spring Break

2007-03-28T08:02:00.000-06:00

Not mine really....just in my head. Ashley is off to IL with the family for spring break. Eric is in NE for work, so it's just me and Morgan. She's not a lot of fun. She'd rather hang out with her friends (one I'm not a big fan of) than do something with her mom. That I will truly miss when Ashley goes to college. Plus Morgan sleeps in forever.
I've got it in my head that *I'm* on spring break. I'm not, I'm still working. My problem is, the gym I've been working out at for over a year is closing up shop at the end of this week. I haven't gone to work out at all. It's silly really. I could still work out until they close. Like I'm punishing them or something. I know they feel bad enough as it is. After all, they were the first ladies workout place to open in our town. Since they opened we've had a Curves open and most recently a Snap Fitness, which is open 24 hours and is for men and women. My gym just couldn't compete and actually make money. Sadly, I will be joining Snap, where I'll have to work out among men. But there's more to do there than say, at Curves. So I need to go join and get back to working out so I can get off this "spring break' mode.

Jumbled Thoughts

2007-03-21T09:33:00.000-06:00

Don't you hate it when you wake up in the middle of the night and start thinking of different things? Your mind starts racing and it totally wakes you up. I must have tossed and turned for almost 2 hours last night! Just too much on my poor little mind!

I thought about Morgan's feelings getting hurt when her track coach "chewed her out" (in Morgan's words) about not being a "reliable runner". As a mom I wanted to say the coach was out of line. I mean, it did make Morgan cry. But she also told me after the race (where she came in 3rd) that she really didn't want to run it and didn't try real hard. You sign up for track and practice every day, why not just do your best?

I also thought about Ashley. Once again she wants to head to IL for her spring break. Her friend had all intentions of going with her, took a week off work and everything, but her friends parents evidently don't let her get too far away and have told her she can't go. The girl is 18 years old! So now she has no one to ride with her. She says she'll drive herself, but that's a long drive for a teen girl to do alone. She'd also be happy if we meet someone halfway. But since my parents just had to pick her up and drop her off in Chicago two weeks ago, I really don't want to ask them. Plus Morgan has a track meet this Saturday and a benefit run on Sunday (which I may have to help with, I'm not sure). And the following weekend, another track meet on Saturday and a volleyball tournament on Sunday.

Then there are bills...those always enter my thoughts. And my procrastination I'm supposed to be working on. And the fact that the gym I belong to is about to close it's doors.

So you see, I had too much on my mind and it really wreeked havoc on my sleep. Darn jumbled thoughts! (BTW, is "wreeked" really a word?)

The Rest of the Story....

2007-03-13T14:39:00.000-06:00

I know all two of you have been waiting with baited breath to hear how Ashley's flight went. Well, they all boarded the plane after they removed the lady who had the seizure and then sat there for over an hour! Some computer problems saying they were 2000 lbs overweight. Finally they took off at 2:30, about the time she should have been landing in Chicago. She made it though, that's what counts. She said her audition went really well. She is her own worst critic, so I'm saying she did good. We don't know when we'll find out if she'll receive a scholarship for music though. The flight back was uneventful (thankfully!). My parents drove her to Chicago, she checked in and then finally told them they could leave and she went through security. They landed on time and she found her way to the baggage claim (taking the tram and everything!), where Morgan and I were waiting. She said everything went fine, but that she's never flying alone again. I guess we'll see on that one.

On our end, we spent 3 days in Denver (or at least Morgan and I did) at a National Qualifying volleyball tournament. We drove down Saturday and Morgan and her team spent that night and Sunday in one hotel, while Eric and I spent our weekend at the Holiday Inn. Well, he had to leave Sunday night to be back at work Monday, but I stayed a 2nd night. The tournament was a lot of fun, even if the girls didn't do all that well. Our tallest player, and best middle hitter/blocker, injured her ankle at practice the Wednesday before, and is in a boot up to her knee. So on the first day we won one, lost 2 (and I have to say, the 3rd team we played ended up in 2nd place, they were HUGE and really good!). Sunday we won 2, lost one. Yesterday was single elimination. We won our first game, but lost the 2nd one, to a team we'd beaten in our last 3 day tournament. It really could have made a difference if we'd had Katie, the game was that close. But in the end, we ended up in 83rd out of 126 teams. Not great, but at least we weren't at the bottom. It's good experience for the girls.

So now you all know the rest of the story.....and more!

Just a Little Stress

2007-03-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's March already. I know how that happened, I've been too busy to notice the days flying by.
Today has been stressful. So much so I stopped at Starbucks and got a fat-free chai tea and one of their delicious chocolate, chocolate cupcakes. I wish I could convince them that all I really need in the paper cup is the frosting....to heck with the cupcake!
Anyway, Ashley flew out of DIA this morning. Her first flight by herself. Dealing with her panic disorder has been hard. Usually when she panics about something, it's nothing big and it's easily overcome. Today was different. She has thrown up off and on since finding out she'd have to fly instead of driving (thanks to her two friends who decided they couldn't go at the last minute). As far as I know, she hasn't eaten anything today. I drove her to the airport, we chatted the whole way. She apologised for being too chatty, but I didn't care, I knew it was nerves. We walked around the airport for a bit after checking in. Finally she had to go through security. She called after she got through. Yay! One fear down. She called when she started to board the plane. We started texting while she was sitting on the plane. She started to "freak out", so I had to call and talk to her. She had to go since they were starting to taxi out. I got home and she called shortly afterwards. They had to go back to Denver. Some lady on their flight had a seizure. So everyone had to get off the plane, then they would refuel, then head back to Chicago. WHY THIS FLIGHT!?! Of all flight for it to happen on. I'm sure the lady who had the seizure didn't intend to, but still, I feel so bad for Ashley. I had to call my parents to let them know she'd be late. I told my dad to go have a nice late lunch. He said he'd send me the bill. I'm okay with that. I'm mean, they did have to drive 2.5 hours to pick her up so we could save $600 on her ticket. I'm ready for today to be over with. In fact, I'm pretty sure tonight when I'm home alone (hubby and Morgan are going to a basketball game, GO REDS!), I'll have a coule of drinks while watching Grey's Anatomy. Stress sucks.

I Didn't Procrastinate!

2007-02-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today I took Ashley to lunch, since she didn't have to be back to school until 1:30. When we came out, I noticed my back tire on the passenger side was low. Funny, I hadn't noticed that before. So I dropped Ashley off at home so she could get her car, and I drove over to the tire repair center in our town. When I got out, I looked again, just to be sure I wasn't imagining things. Nope, in fact, it seemed lower. So the mechanic took it into the shop and low and behold, there was a screw embedded in my tire. He said it had been there for quite some time. In the past, I would have maybe just put air in my tire a few times, until it was undeniable that it needed to be fixed. But not today....so sireee....I needed to get it fixed! My first thought was the fact that I have to take Morgan and Katie to practice tonight. In another town. And it'll be late when we get done. I don't want a flat tire in another small town. So, I'm patting myself on the back for not procrastinating on this. Because that's what I usually do....procrastinate!

I Got Nutt'n

2007-02-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a few days. Maybe because my brain is in sleep mode and I can't come up with anything witty, sarcastic, serious, nasty....just nothing. My life is pretty busy, so surely I could come up with something. I'll work on it. Maybe I should take notes throughout the day. That might be kind of hard if I'm driving though....that's usually when I start thinking a lot. I'll try this again later!

It's a Bit Embarrassing

2007-02-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

I am limping like an old lady with a hip problem. It's not really a hip problem, more of a butt problem. You see, I got so excited when the girls (Morgan's club volleyball team) were getting ready to play their championship game last Monday, that I told them if they won, I'd do a cartwheel (ok, does it start with a "c" or "k"??). They did, and I did. Twice. Evidently some of the girls didn't see it and asked me to do it again. It was great fun and everyone got a kick out of it (except the hubby, who says if he'd actually seen me do it, he would have been embarrassed). The next day my "butt muscle" was a little sore. Then on Wednesday, I went to Pilates. We did a move that has made my back side sore before. I went to the chiro that day, he tried to work the stiffness out and told me to ice it. I went to work today....even though it was still somewhat stiff, it didn't feel too bad. After work, I headed to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I had a skirt on, I drive an SUV. I tried to get out without pulling a "Brittney" and exposing myself. I also pulled that same darn muscle and could barely walk! It's a good thing I had a cart just in front of my space that I wheeled into the store and used while shopping. I went back to the chiro today who used "e-stem" (electric stimulation) on my posterior (he's seen way too much of my backside!), told me to use plenty of ice and to absolutely not stretch or pull it! I'm still gimpy....it hurts. Does this mean I'm getting old??

Get Off the Roads....and other insights

2007-02-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

On February 15, exactly a month after her 15th birthday, Morgan got her drivers permit. She's driven twice. It makes me nervous. My hope is that she'll start asking her dad to drive with him a lot more, he's got nerves of steel. I think mine are nerves of wet noodles.

Coming home from work and errands today I saw a sign at the Bayou House (a restaurant and dance hall) that made me chuckle.....Big Ass Beers $3. It's Friday, it also sounded really good!

Ashley had her first near miss accident yesterday. Luckily, it wasn't her fault. Luckily, there was no accident, just a 17 year old girl who's heart stuck in her throat for awhile. She was driving down the highway through our town when an older gentleman pulled out in front of her from a side street. She swears she came within 5 feet of hitting him. She had to swerve into the other lane (and luckily, no one was there either). She says she's pretty sure he didn't even see her then. Someone needs their eyes checked.

Tonight we are celebrating Valentine's Day with our friends Kent and Carrie. We're going to a new Italian restaurant. I hope it's good.

I didn't lose any weight this week, but I have lost some inches. I am still working out, doing the pilates class and other things. I worked out for 60 minutes twice this week, but could only get 40 in today, simply because I had to work. I hope I'm not too lazy to get up and go tomorrow.

Morgan has a 3 day volleyball tournament this weekend. I hope she feels okay. She keeps getting migraines. I took her to the doctor yesterday. They did some blood work and gave her a prescription for the headaches. Lets hope something works!

Never Happy

2007-02-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Lately anyway. The youngest seems to have quite the rollercoaster of emotions these days. I'm never sure which personality is going to show up. Saturday she took the test to get her drivers permit. She missed 4 questions. Since she is taking drivers ed at a "driving academy" they make up their own rules. At the DMV, you can miss 6 questions. Not at the academy, they only want you to miss 2. Needless to say, she was not a happy camper. She went back Monday after school and took it again. This time she passed with 100%. She wanted to go to the DMV right then and get her permit. Except we needed her social security card and her birth certificate. And there was a paper saying something about needing both parents signature. The hubby is out of town. Again, she wasn't happy. I called the DMV today and asked why both signatures were needed. If the child wants to be able to drive with either parent, they need both signatures, which have to be signed at the DMV or with at notarty. Again, she wasn't happy she has to wait. And believe me, she'll want to be able to drive with the dad, he's much calmer than I am those first couple of months! Talked to the hubby tonight, he'll be in tomorrow afternoon, shortly after Morgan and I get out of the chiropractor's office. We'll meet him down there to get the stupid paper signed. Maybe then she'll be just a bit happier, hopefully, she can't get any worse!

Too Tired

2007-02-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

I have not recovered from our trip to Illinois. My brain is too tired to think of anything interesting to write about. My kids haven't even done anything interesting lately! I did, however, drive 50 miles round trip in thick fog last night to take Morgan and Katie to volleyball practice. I should be nominated for mom of the year!

Yes, I'm Crazy

2007-01-31T13:57:00.000-07:00

In the interest of trying to lose weight, I've decided to try to step it up on the exercise front. Unlike a lot of people, I don't exercise at home. I just don't have the motivation, unless I'm paying for it. Now, I've been working out at the same place for over a year now. Before that I worked out at another "women's gym" for 3 years. I'm no stranger to working out. But this week I started something new. Pilates. At 6:00 a.m. no less. All I can say right now, between yawns, is "ouch"!

New 48 Hours Mystery?

2007-01-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

I love to watch that show. It intriques me to no end. I think a story out of Greeley may end up there. Tuesday evening, a credit union employee leaves work and is killed in the parking lot. She is the wife of a police officer. They arrest another lady a few hours after the shooting. The woman arrested is the wife of a sheriff office investigator. Apparently the police officer and the shooter were having an affair. She'd had his baby 10 months prior (but was still with her husband). Apparently, the affair was ended about the time of the baby's birth. They are not sure what triggered the woman to kill the other woman, they are still working on all the evidence and gathering information. The scary part about this whole thing? I know the woman who was arrested. She was one of my WW's members a few years back and we'd still talk when we'd run into each other. She always seemed upbeat and happy and was very friendly. Obviously things have changed since I last saw her. Weird....

Needed: a football helmet and bubble wrap

2007-01-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't volleyball a non-contact sport? How does my daughter get a concussion playing it? Seriously folks, she just plays too hard. Sunday we were at a tournament and she and a teammate dove for a ball. Sam, the teammate, hit her jaw on the back of Morgan's head. Sam went out of the game, Morgan shook her head a few times but continued playing. Then she dove and did a volleyball roll, at which time she hit her head on the floor again. It's a good thing the tournament was called due to another winter storm after our first game. She hasn't been feeling well since!

A Simple Dentist Visit

2007-01-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ever had the thought that the visit to the dentist would be quick and painless? I'm sure Morgan thought that yesterday. She called me from school to tell me she had chipped a tooth. Of all things, a molar! How, you might ask? Playing dodgeball in P.E.!!! She claims she was dodging the ball (name of the game, Mom!) and dove to the floor and that's how it happened. She said it was scratching the inside of her cheek. I called the dentist and they got her in that afternoon. They said they'd probably just file it down so it wouldn't bother her. Yea, right.

I got called into the dentist office after they checked her. The tooth in question was a baby tooth and it had a tooth growing under it. They said it would be easiest to just pull it. Okay, no problem. Um, she had 3 other teeth that are also baby teeth, 3 of the 4 had teeth either growing under or behind them. Let's just pull them all. Morgan seemed good with that, so I said fine. So now her two bottom eye teeth and two bottom molars are gone. As she puts it..."she looks like a hillbilly". Luckily, those permanent teeth should be coming in quickly to fill the gaps. Not exactly what we had in mind for a "quick" run to the dentist!

Happy 15th Morgan!

2007-01-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Actually, yesterday was Morgan's 15th birthday, but it was a pretty busy day, so I never got a post in.

Hard to believe she's 15. My baby. I hated being called "the baby" growing up, but I will use it this once because when I think back to when she was born, it's hard to believe she's this old! She was born premature at 5 lbs 8 oz. She's now 5' 7"!!!! She'll still sit on my lap occasionally, basically covering me up totally! She doesn't give hugs like she used to, which makes me sad, but she's still a pretty happy kid. The girl can't sit still, yet she can sleep until noon!

We didn't have a big party or anything, just a little bowling with some friends and dinner and cake at our house. But I hope she enjoyed that birthday! I'm still flabbergasted that she can actually be 15!

Mystery Solved

2007-01-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

We've been a bit confused here. Ashley sent her college application in around the end of October, the beginning of November. We received a letter in December stating they received her application, but due to a computer program change, it would take longer than normal to process. In the end of December, we received an application for the traveling scholarship. Hmmm....why would they send that to us if she hadn't been accepted yet? Today we received a package with financial aid info and a student checklist. Totally confused! So luckily, I still had the email address of the administrator to came to CO and interviewed Ashley. I emailed her and asked if we would know something soon, since we've been getting this other information. She emailed back very quickly. They had sent a letter on the 2nd. Why we don't have it, I'm not sure. But YES! She's been accepted to Augustana!!! And Meaghan then called the house to talk to Ashley to let her know she was also offered the Presidential scholarship! Whooo-hoooo! We are estatic! She is beyond excited! She got into her first choice of colleges! Yessss! Okay, now what do we do?

Getting Back to "Normal"

2007-01-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Slowly, our lives are readjusting. I'm not sure there is really any such thing as "normal", but we're getting back to what I preceive as that!

My house is a mess (normal), Chester is eating and playing with his toys again (normal), he's also not in my lap constanly. Libbie is eating her food and Chester's food (normal) and making sure she licks anything that is going into the dishwasher (normal). Ashley is back from IL and Morgan is back to playing volleyball, they are both back to school (normal). Eric is back to work (normal) and I am back to working out, working and trying to keep up with the house, not doing such a hot job though (normal!). Unfortunately, Maggie isn't quite back to normal, we found a wound on her right hind leg which warrented a trip to the vet Saturday. Now she's sporting one of those cones around her neck to keep her from licking it and she's taking antibiotics. Definitely not normal. But it's healing quickly (since there is no licking) and hopefully we'll be able to take the cone off by Wednesday.

So, whatever normal really is, I think we're just about there!

Traumatized

2007-01-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

If you've noticed, I've been gone for a bit again. On December 27th, my FIL passed away. We had to head to South Dakota. We were gone for a week. Normally, we take Chester every where we go and we kennel Libbie and Maggie (no we're not playing favorites, but those 2 are just too big!). But since Chester had been to the vet the day before and wasn't feeling well and since we were planning on staying in a hotel while we were up there and we knew we'd be really busy, we decided we'd have to kennel Chester as well. The kennel is at the vets office, so I thought that at least if he didn't get better, he'd be in good hands.

I picked them all up yesterday shortly after we returned home. The two big dogs about knocked me down and practically drug me to the car. Chester was a can of worms, wiggling in my arms and licking me in the face. But since we've been home, he's acted very strangely. He hasn't eaten, he hasn't played with any of his toys, he hasn't raced around the living room or dining room like a maniac. He's simply followed me everywhere and wants to sit on me (not an easy feat, folding laundry with a dog on your lap). I believe he's a bit traumatized from staying in a kennel full of barking dogs and no mom lap to sit on for a full week. Hopefully he'll snap out of it! Maybe he needs a doggie shrink!

Cabin Fever

2006-12-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have it! And so do the girls. We have been snowed in the past two days. At first it was great. With the snow flying and the wind howling, it was nice to just have a day I had to stay home. I baked cookies and made fudge. Ashley baked a batch of cookies too. Morgan and her friend Brianna (who got stuck with us) put up the artificial tree. They also baked a batch of cookies. I'm not sure where they went wrong, but those ended up in the trash! We also played Trouble and a card game. We were going to watch a Christmas movie, until we realized we could only find Elf and It's A Wonderful Life and we'd just seen Elf and we watch IAWL on Christmas Eve. I know we have Miracle on 34th Street, I just don't know where it is. So that evening I soaked in a hot bath with lavendar bubbles and crawled into bed having enjoyed my day. Yesterday I was a little antsy. I still have shopping to do. I was getting bored. I cleaned up the basement, I caught up on some e-mail. We played Trouble and finished our card game we'd started the day before. I cleaned my bedroom (it was a much needed task that I'd kept putting off). I talked on the phone. I made a list. I made breakfast and supper. I really need to get out of this house!
So today I woke up and called my hubby (who, BTW, is on his way home from NE) to make sure I knew exactly how I'm supposed to use the 4W drive on the Durango. I got in the shower, actually put on makeup and did my hair and I am ready to get out! Thanks to our friend Kent, I can get out of the driveway. He came over and used our snow blower to dig us out. Unfortunately for him, he has no snow blower and it took him 4 hours to shovel out his own driveway! Anyway, I woke the girls up and said "it "time to get out of the house" day!" Get up! Get up! I'd warned them yesterday I wasn't waiting around for them to sleep until noon. I need to get out NOW!! So here I sit....Ashley just got out of the shower, Morgan, hopefully, is getting in. I'm ready! Lets get that Christmas shopping done! Lets get those groceries! Lets talk to people other than each other! Lets eat lunch out! Good thing we don't get snowed in often....I'm not sure how well I'd handle it!

Count'n Down

2006-12-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

So there are only 6 days until Christmas. I'm still shopping. I never put up the artificial tree. I'm still hearing some grumbling, but the kids were told they could do it and they don't stay home long enough either. I need to get stocking stuffers....and one more gift for Ashley. And I'm still looking for a gift for our goddaughter. She might not get what she asked for. I might do some baking, maybe just a little. I am still searching for my Christmas spirit, hopefully getting done with shopping soon and just relaxing and enjoying the season will help! Wish me luck, I'll try finishing tomorrow morning!

I Must Made a Decision!

2006-12-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

Every year since we've moved here I've had a real Christmas tree in the dining room window and put our artificial one up in the basement. We've always put the presents around the one in the basement, I guess just because there is more room down there to sit and open gifts.
I've been really busy this year. I'm always busy, but I just haven't found time to put up the tree in the basement. I've mentioned several times I probably just won't put it up. I've heard the kids whine that I'd be breaking tradition. I've explained that I just don't have time and no one ever offers to help. I'm still hearing the whining, but no offers. So....do I put the tree up or say forget it. I mean we can put gifts around the real tree and just move the dining room table out into the hallway while we open gifts. Or we can just haul the gifts into the living room in the morning before we open them. Am I procrastinating, or just being indecisive? What to do....any suggestions?

Santa's Sleigh is Brown

2006-12-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

At least it is for me. I finally finished shopping for my family in IL and wrapped it all up today. I had 3 bags of presents. I had no boxes big enough for even half of it. So I headed to the UPS store. I love that they have an actual store now. They had a box big enough to fit everything in and it really wasn't all that expensive. Luckily for me, it's all shipped to my parents, so I didn't have to ship to different addresses! So HO! HO! HO!....hope the UPS truck has jingle bells!

Muddling Through

2006-12-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those weeks where there is just too much going on? This has been one for me. I had a whole list of things I had to do Monday, and I'm happy to report, I got them all crossed off, including inventory at work, which I almost forgot about (and didn't have on my list!). That night I had to take Morgan and her friend to volleyball practice in a town twenty minutes away. Then I ran to another town to pick up Ashley's choir dress that a friend hemmed for her. Then back to vball practice....waited probably another 30 minutes for them to get done. Got home after 10:00.
Tuesday I had to work, which means I stood on my feet from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. I was home for an hour, then headed to the high school to help get ready for the choirs Christmas dinner show. Mostly I worked in the kitchen. Then I helped clean up after it was over....I was on my feet the entire time. I got home at 9:30. My back really hurt.
Wednesday I decided I HAD to go work out. Then I knew I HAD to get some Christmas shopping done. I got home in time to rest for about an hour, then picked up Morgan and we both had chiro appointments. After that it was home to make/eat dinner, then off to haul Morgan and Katie to practice again, in a different town, further away. It started at 8:30....yes, that P.M. It got over at 10:15 (it was supposed to be done at 10:00). There was no place in that town to go have a cup of tea or anything, so I sat in my Durango and read a magazine. I got home at 11:00.
Today I had to work again. Why I decided to wear high heeled boots, I don't know. I then had to make a run to Wal-Mart, then back to the chiro (hips were hurting big time!). I was thinking about going to the boys basketball game tonight, but then realized I have a supper to go to tomorrow night at my friends church (and I have to work tomorrow morning), and Saturay is our towns "Old Fashion Christmas", where Ashley's choir is singing at 6:00 at the little strip mall and then again at the tree lighting.
So, tonight I am enjoying a few cocktails, a little TV and hopefully some peace and quiet!

TGIF

2006-12-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am so glad it is Friday. It has been a long week for Morgan. They didn't really have class this week. Yesterday they had a memorial for Miles at the HS for the students and faculty. They had 5 different pastors speak, his guitar teacher played a couple of his favorite songs and the 3 choirs sang "Seasons of Love" (from Rent), which was Miles' favorite song they did in their first concert this year. Yes, he was in mixed choir with Morgan. Morgan wasn't sure she could make it through the song, they practiced it Wednesday and she said she cried through the whole thing. But she said she managed to make it through at the memorial. She was awfully quiet on the drive to Greeley after the service though. At least she has a few plans for the weekend, so she won't be sitting around the house thinking about things. What a hard thing to deal with as a teenager.

Life Is Hard

2006-11-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Especially when you're a 14 year old girl. This has been a tough year for Morgan so far. Last night, things got even tougher. She got a phone call that a boy in her class committed suicide. I didn't personally know the boy, but she does. She considered him a friend. In fact, on Tuesdays & Thursdays, they had every class together. Today when they went to school, the freshman didn't have class. The principal talked to all the freshman first thing in the morning, to let everyone know what exactly happened (so there wouldn't be rumors flying) and then the kids were asked to stay in the commons area where they could console each other and where counselors and teachers were there to talk to them. Morgan and a couple of her friends came home at lunch time. She's done a lot of crying....and talking. Eric and I have been encouraging her to keep talking. The boy shot himself in the head with a 44. So please, say a prayer for Miles, his family and for all the kids his death has so deeply affected. Life is certainly not easy.

Don't Be So Crabby

2006-11-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ashley went to the library today to apply for a job. She thinks it would be perfect for her. She loves to read, the hours are reasonable and they aren't open on Sunday's. She had to wait for awhile while the elderly lady who was working was talking on the phone. When she finally got off the phone Ashley politely asked her for an application. The lady looked at her and said "For a job???" Even girls with nose rings can read, and some of them are very intelligent. Somehow I think she won't be getting a job at the library.

I Believe

2006-11-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter Morgan had to do a project for her Grammar & Comp class called "I Believe". They write a series of sentences of things they believe in. She read it to me last night, then asked me what I believed in. Trying to be funny, I said "I believe I have gas". She said I wasn't as funny as I thought I was. I was thinking about things I believe in, funny and otherwise, and I thought it would be good blogger material. So here I go....

I believe in God.

I believe my kids can do anything they set their minds to.

I believe laughter is the best medicine.

I believe having friends is almost as good as having family.

I believe that marriage is hard work.

I believe raising a family can be just as hard as it is rewarding.

I believe gray hairs come from teenagers.

I believe angels saved my daughters life.

I believe being friends with your kids is a good thing.

I believe a clean house is a sign of a wasted life.

I believe in Santa Claus.

I believe everyone should have a pet (or two or three...)

I believe my kids will do great things with their lives.

I believe I will grow old with my husband.

I believe you can't choose your family.

I believe you have to have faith.

I believe SAHM friends are real friends!

What do you believe?

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

2006-11-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

The girls and I just returned home from a very quick trip to IL. The only part that wasn't quick was the 12 hours drive both ways. The things you do for family! Luckily the girls had Friday off, and only had one super important class on Thursday. So, they had an extra long weekend. We got to IL Thursday evening and no one was home. My parents didn't know we were coming, so I didn't expect them to be there. We unpacked our stuff and were just settling in when I heard their garage door open (I was sneaky, parked my Durango on the street between their yard and their neighbors). Morgan and I ran around turning off lights (Ashley was already in the shower) and hid around the corner in the kitchen. The door opened, a light switched on, we heard footsteps coming up the stairs. We jumped out and yelled SURPRISE! We almost gave my poor dad a heart attack! That and he almost wet himself! We didn't do much while there really, and we couldn't enjoy the weather, but we had fun. Saturday we surprised the folks again by taking them out to lunch, where about 25 of our close family and friends were waiting. They were pretty wound up, so we went across the street after lunch and tried out the martini bar (keep in mind, we didn't have "lunch" until 2:00 p.m.). Then we decided we'd go back to their hometown and go have dinner at a little bar there. Mom fell asleep on the way there, but we managed to perk her back up after a couple glasses of water. Unfortunately having too much fun all day Saturday made for a very long drive home on Sunday. At least Ashley drives now and she's much better at it than she was only a few months ago!
So, Mom & Dad, Happy 45th Anniversary. Can't wait to celebrate the 50th!

Recovery

2006-11-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Morgan is starting to act more herself. Although she had a little flashback the other day, getting into the back seat of her sisters car. Decided she couldn't sit in the back yet. But yesterday, after having her adjustment, she started acting normal....which is great. She was being her goofy self, doing little dance moves in the car on the way home to some music on the radio. I think she'll recover faster than we thought....she's resilient that way!

Ashley met with the Director of Administations from Augustana. She was here in CO doing a presentation down by Denver. She and Ashley met over in Loveland at Chili's. They had a nice conversation and sounds like Ashley is all but in! She even said she'd mostly likely get the Presidential scholarship and a "traveling" scholarship (which is like $500 a year, what does that cover, books?). She is also applying for their music scholarships, so I'll keep my fingers crossed! She's really excited. I'm pretty sure she wishes it was August already!

Defective!

2006-11-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

That's the verdict on Morgan's cell phone. We took it in today after school and they said it's defective. Good news is, we only bought it in August and it does have a year warranty, so she was given another phone (same kind) in it's place. Bad news, since it wouldn't turn on, there was no way to transfer her phonebook, so she'll have to put her numbers in all over.
Now if I could just get her to wake up to her alarm clock, things would be great!

Is There An Explanation For This?

2006-11-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Can someone tell me how one child can break cell phones and alarm clocks? Before the current phone, she went through 3 cell phones in a 2 year period. The one she has now she got in August. It's November 1st. The phone won't turn on. The deal where you plug it in the charge comes out with the charger. It's a decent phone. She's also gone through 3 or 4 alarm clocks. The last one works, well, except the alarm doesn't ever go off. I bought 2 new clocks today. An alarm clocks for her bedroom and a small clock that will stick to her bathroom mirror, since she is always running late, claiming she never knows what time it is. No one else in our house has any problems with our phones or clocks. What's with this kid??

Not What We Wanted

2006-10-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, our H.S. volleyball season is over. We didn't make it past districts, the first time in something like 12 years. I guess that'll happen occasionally. Most of the girls were relieved it was over, simply because our coach was getting crabbier as the season wore on, and we kept losing games we could have won. Unfortunately she thinks at this point humiliation is motivation. She should realize it's not. Morgan even talked about not playing next year, she got so tired of it, but of course, she's already changed her mind.
Up next, she's going to start lifting weights and training for more physical strength so she has better "hops" (jumping when hitting) and better kills. Then on 11/13 she'll try out for club volleyball. So for now, I "get a break" (not really if she starts training at a place in Greeley), but I'm sure it won't last long!

Under-appreciated

2006-10-27T08:09:00.000-06:00

Or maybe it's just plan UNappreciated. This morning I was upstairs in Morgan's room & bathroom picking up all her dirty whites to throw in the wash (she's gotta have clean socks & sports bras for tomorrow!). I picked up her warm ups and told her she'd better get them packed in her vball bag and she said she'd get them at lunch. I asked how she'd do that and she suggested I come and get her for lunch. Well, I have to work until 11:00 (or longer, depending on any possible new members) and then I need to make a trip to the grocery store to get hamburger and snack food for the district tournaments we have tomorrow (all for HER). Being told this, she got snippy and said she wishes I were Kelsey's mom, she takes her to lunch "all the time". Gee, sorry I'm not Kelsey's mom...sorry I have to get stuff for HER tournament...sorry I can't run back and forth between our town and the town I work and shop in. Sheesh!!!! I'm a bit put out right now, can you tell??

The Snow is Falling....

2006-10-26T17:12:00.000-06:00

elsewhere. Yep, we missed the major snowstorm here in Co! It rained, the wind blew like mad and it has been cold all day. But no snow here in our parts. A lot of CO didn't fare as well, getting a ton of snow and drifts to boot. We were supposed to go to Strasburg tonight for a distric volleyball game, but it was cancelled, since Strasburg is in one of the hard hit areas. We'll go there tomorrow. So, we lucked out, not getting the hazardous weather, but still getting a lot of moisture. And it's supposed to be back in the high 50's tomorrow!

Um, Hello??

2006-10-23T18:26:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been a couple of months since I last blogged. It was actually due to the fact that I kept trying to log on, and the dumb website kept telling me that my logon and password were wrong. So I just quit trying. Tonight, out of sheer boredom, I decided to give it a try, and what do you know, it worked again! So here I am, and no one will probably check it out since I basically quite blogging.

I have kept busy since school started. Mostly with volleyball. The youngest, who's a freshman this year made the Jv and Varsity team. She always plays the whole JV game, but only occasionally gets to play varsity. So at least twice a week we're at games. And we've done a couple of Saturday tournaments. In November she'll try out for club volleyball again....if she makes a team, we'll continue to be busy with more volleyball.

The oldest has also kept us busy with college prep and senior life. She had her first choir concert last Monday. It was very good! She is also in a band now, just her and 2 guy friends. She's the lead volcalist. They had a float in their homecoming parade....I've had many comments...all good! She is busy trying to fill out her college application. She is looking at one specific school in IL. She's been there for their summer visit day and for an interview. She just got a phone call last night, one of the admissions employees will be out here for a conference and is coming to visit Ashley at her school. I just hope if they want her that bad, they give her a good scholarship. She was one point away from being eligible for their presidental scholarship, so she is retaking the ACT's this weekend. Fingers crossed!

As for funny little things to talk about, I'm fresh out of ideas! I just got done helping make posters for the varsity volleyball team for the first game of districts...I used all my creativity for the day on those!

Well, it's nice to know I can blog again....it'd be even nicer if more people read & commented on it!

Teen Drama in Your 40's?

2006-08-10T18:03:00.000-06:00

I said I wasn't going to let this bother me....but it's festering and I need to vent! When I got back from vacation there was a message on my answering machine from one of the ladies I play bunko with here in town (not the original group that disbanded last year). It said they were planning on cancelling in August and wanted to talk to me about bunko in general. I thought GREAT! I had August and now I wouldn't have to clean or cook a wonderful meal. The next day I talked to my friend who got me into this bunko group and mentioned something about the cancellation. She asked what I had heard. Since I never called the other gal back, all I knew was what was on my answering machine. Well....in July I was camping with family when they had the last bunko. I forgot to get a sub. Some of the ladies apparently were very ticked off about this and started talking about how I always forget bunko and I miss a lot. So what the lady wanted to talk to me about was dropping me to the sub list instead of me being a regular. At the time I thought it was silly and figured I'd help them out and just quit altogether since Morgan's volleyball games will be on Thursday's (same day as bunko) and I'm not missing them. After I talked to my friend a couple of more times (she wasn't at that bunko either), I was getting a little more mad about it. Apparently they say if you've missed 6 times, you get dropped to the sub list. I looked at our list from this past year (since Jan.) and have only missed twice. I did forget about bunko once, but once they called, I hauled my butt there quickly, and we still had to wait for other people! The thing that really makes me mad is that a lot of these ladies miss quite often and one of them just forgot and when we called her she said there was no way she could make it. Here's the kicker....all these ladies grew up together....I am the outsider. So it must be easy to kick out the "newbie", who doesn't really know any of them that well. My friend who got me started feels bad, and she will miss at least the next two. She says she's going to suggest a sign-in sheet and whoever misses 6 in a year, will have to drop to the sub list. As I was venting about this to Ashley, she said this.."Mom, it's "E-town", the drama doesn't even stop when you're an adult". This is the reason she says she wants to get out of here....too much drama. I'm beginning to think she has a point!

By the way...I called the lady back and gave her my apologies for forgetting to get a sub and for their inconvience and told her I'd save them the trouble of dropping me to the sub list and that I would just quit. I really don't need drama at my age.

What's Wrong with "Thanks"?

2006-08-09T14:45:00.000-06:00

Okay, the other day I told Morgan I'd take her to get her phone upgrade. She was more interested in going to lunch with her friends and going back to volleyball camp (even though she wasn't scheduled to work that afternoon). She told me to just get her one, as long as it had a camera on it. No problem....I got one, and with the rebate, will only cost me $20. When I gave it to her, she was less than thrilled, wasn't sure she liked it (she had said something about an LG Chocolate, which had no rebate and would have cost $250). Gee....too bad. She has decided in the past couple of days it will do...whatever.
Today was the 3rd day of volleyball camp. The girls are there at 8:30 to help with K - 8th grade age kids throughout the day, then go back at 6:30 for the HS camp, where they have had their butts worked off! This morning she was dragging (she's not a morning person at all) and I already had a "fluffernutter" made (p.b. and marshmallow cream), a water bottle filled with ice and of course, water, and a Gatorade, all waiting in the car. I guess I'm silly for thinking she needed water *and* Gatorade and I put too much marshmallow cream on her sandwich. But hey, isn't that what a mom is for....to expect everything and not like what you get? Yea, I didn't think so either!

It's Coming to an End

2006-07-24T08:05:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe, but our summer is coming to an end. Sure the girls have about a month before they start school, but as is, it'll be here before I know it! This week will be a "slow" one. Morgan only has volleyball tonight for 2 hours. Ashley has work every day but Thursday, but she has a voice recital that night. I of course, have work, nothing unusual. But then we go to IL for our annual week of family stuff, then when we get back, Morgan has a 4 day camp, then the next week she'll start mandatory vball practice with 2-a-days. Next thing you know, they'll be back in school. Every year I think we'll get to slow down and enjoy ourselves during the summer, every year I am just kidding myself. We never slow down, although I do have to admit, we usually enjoy ourselves!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

2006-07-17T16:49:00.000-06:00

Today is Teen #1's 17th birthday. Since it is also the 17th, this means it's her "golden" birthday. Unfortunately it didn't start our so great. She was supposed to leave this morning at 7:00 a.m. for a retreat. She was going to be a LINK leader for H.S. (sort of a mentor for freshman) and the retreat was mandatory. She woke up to bad cramps. She felt sick. I made her breakfast, since it was her birthday (chocolate chip pancakes), she ate about 3 bites, then threw up about 3 times afterwards. She contemplated, and decided not to go to the retreat, which also means she can no longer be a LINK leader. :( After laying around awhile, she started to feel better (except for the cramps) and was mad at herself for not trying to stick it out and go. So to make her feel better (it is, afterall, her birthday), Morgan and I took her to lunch (which she was able to keep down), went shopping at Victoria's Secret, got pedicures and went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get her a computer chair. Oh, don't let me forget to mention she got a laptop before we left for camping. So I know it wasn't the most exciting birthday in her life, but it wasn't the worst either!
So Happy Birthday Ashley.....you're terrific and I love you!

Back from the Mountains

2006-07-17T16:43:00.000-06:00

We're back from our long weekend in Estes Park. We picked a good time to be up in a high altitude, as it was extremely hot. It was about 10 degrees cooler up where we were, and it was still about 90! The KOA we stayed at was not the greatest (okay, their cabins were *very* nice, but their RV parking had a lot to be desired), but even though we griped about it, we enjoyed ourselves. Maybe it was because we were out of our normal lives and hanging with some of Eric's family. Maybe it was because we got to go shopping in Estes, where they have specialty shops and lots of ice cream, fudge, carmel corn and carmel apples! Maybe it was because we spent time being "kids" again, going go cart racing, playing in the arcardes, doing the "extreme trampoline" (maybe I am a bit to old for that!), the batting cages, putt-putt golf, water wars, etc. And even though I still had to cook and clean up, maybe it wasn't so bad because I wasn't doing all of it by myself. So, all in all, it was a great time. Can't wait to do it again next year!

The Need For Rest

2006-07-10T17:18:00.000-06:00

After another busy weekend of fundraising, I woke up Sunday morning with the worst headache ever. Actually my whole body hurt. My head felt like it could explode, so I figured since it was cool and actually raining here (something we haven't seen in quite awhile), it was my sinuses. I took some sinus meds and waited. The pressure in my face went away, but the headache and body aches stayed all day. Today I woke up and could barely move my head. I took more advil and went to work out anyway (since I hadn't been for 2 weeks) and then called my chiro. He was shocked when he felt my neck/shoulders. Used some medical terminology, but basically said I was just about ready to spasm and it was likely I could have a hard time moving my head any direction soon! After a little adjustment, he put some patches around my neck and shoulders and hooked me up to an electrode thingy. Sent some little fuzzes into my muscles. He told me NOT to sleep with the windows open tonight or a fan blowing on me. Darn! That's how we always sleep! I may have to sleep on the couch, since the hubby will probably be too hot if we can't have either of the above mentioned going. I have to go back tomorrow for more electric stuff. I'm still hurting. My body is rejecting me!

Once again....

2006-07-07T16:28:00.000-06:00

It's fundraising time again. Tonight we are making cotton candy for our town's "Eaton Days" celebration. I've made cotton candy before. I seem to remember wearing a lot of it. I am most certain I will need a shower when I get home. So come on over and buy a bag..a meer $3 will load you up with sugar!

Woo-Hoo!

2006-07-04T20:53:00.000-06:00

YESSSSSSSS! We are done working gates at the Stampede! Eric and I worked today from 1 - 6:00 p.m. We were thrilled that it was done and over with! We came home, had a drink, fixed our first real dinner in weeks and all of us sat down to eat together (including an extra, Morgan's friend). We did, however, realize that in the hours that we worked, we spent some quality time together and actually talked to each other, no arguing or ignoring each other! Now we get a couple of days break before we are at it again, this time at Eaton Days! Never will our kids be able to say we didn't get involved. If they do, I'm sure I'll get permission to bop them on the head!

Reminder: $2000

2006-07-02T18:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, so the $2000 won't be mine, but I'll just reminding myself that it *could* be coming out of my pocket!
Teen #1, Ashley, is in an "honors" choir at school called the Troubadors. They are heading to Washington D.C. next June for the "National Anthem Project". It's going to cost roughly $1000 per student to go. There are 15 of them. The choir director has decided we are going to earn this money as a group, not individually. That's all fine and dandy, as long as everyone participates in all the fundraising. And not just the fun stuff. So far we have had a yard sale/car wash, in which they raised almost $800. This past week we have been working at the Stampede. It's a big, 2 week, carnival in Greeley, in which they also have rodeos, concerts, a demolition derby, a petting zoo, a bengal tiger show, tons of food booths, vendor booths and of course, a beer garden. What we've been doing is manning gates (we're doing it 6 of the 12 days it is going on), checking any bags, purses, backpacks, etc for glass containers or alcohol. The choir is getting paid....$2000. Our first night we worked, Ashley had to work at Target. So Eric and I worked from 6:00 p.m. until 12:30. Well, I worked until almost midnight, then took Morgan and 3 friends home. Ashley had shown up the last hour, so she stayed to work with her dad. The next day, AShley & I worked from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It was hot and sunny. She claims she is heat intolerant....she wasn't much fun to work with. Today, Eric went at 8:00 a.m. I went to church with Morgan (she had to serve) and Ashley had to go to another fundraiser, where they sang at a church, then had a bake sale. I met up with Eric at our gate around 10:30. I worked until 1:30 (we were supposed to get off at 1:00, but the next group showed up late). We then went to the rodeo and strolled thru the vendors and finally made it home around 5:00. Tomorrow, we have a very long day. We start at 3:00 p.m. (me and Ashley), then Eric will come around 6:30, Ashley will leave for awhile, when she gets back (about 11:00 I think), I'll leave and she and ERic will finish up. Our last day is the 4th of July. We work 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. I will be SO glad when this is over. Keep in mind, we are only one of the 15 working, there are 5 gates and we work shifts all day. My problem is, there is one member who is only working one time (and he's trying to get out of it!), and a few others who are only working a couple of times. I'd really rather raise money indivdually, but the choir director thinks it'll be better this way. I think she's living a pipe dream, but who am I to say? All I know is I am looking forward to Tuesday being done and over with!

Growing Up

2006-06-21T10:48:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's true....my girls are growing up. You'd think knowing that Ashley is officially a senior and Morgan a freshman would give me a clue. But today is when it really hit. Ashley left this morning for her first "real" job. She is working at Target, which is great, one of my favorite stores in the whole world! She left wearing kahki pants and a red t-shirt. My little Target employee. How in the world did my kids get to this age? I know I sure haven't gotten any older. Those gray hairs and fine lines really don't mean anything!
But, alas, the kids do seem to grow up so quickly, it's hard on me. I see little girls around town and think, my kids used to be that little. How does this happen?

I'll Try Harder

2006-06-14T19:19:00.000-06:00

My dear friend, Bluegrass Mama, just left me a comment to my last blog. Learn to say no! I will try! I did have to turn down a sub job up in Cheyenne for 2 meetings on the 28th, as I *should* be in IL at an open house at Augustana College, where Teen #1 would like to go. She is waiting on word from Target, where she had an interview AND had to do a drug test, to see when she'll start work (hopefully). So I'll try harder at saying no, altho I just made it harder on myself for buying a WAY expensive camera (Canon Rebel EOS Digital), but did get a 6 month, no payment, no interest package! Just say no.....just say no.....

The Crazy Life

2006-06-14T08:55:00.000-06:00

Every year when summer rolls around, I think I can relax and get some R & R. Every year I find I am wrong! Since my last blog (which was a month ago!), I have had company for 9 days, attended Teen #1's last choir concert, Teen #2's Confirmation, last band concert and her 8th grade Celebration. I've also golfed a little (that is fun time) and carted kids to volleyball several times. And then I swear, someone wrote my name and number on the Weight Watcher's "bathroom wall","for a good sub, call Lisa", because I have been swamped with requests to sub for people! For the past 5 years I've worked 2 days a week, the past 3 weeks, I've been working 4 days a week! We haven't even gotten to camp yet! Now we are heading up to South Dakota to visit the IL's. I've only been to the pool once, for only an hour. I want to relax! I want to enjoy summer! I'm not sure it's going to happen!