Its tougher than I thought

To call my son by his given name....but he keeps reminding me and correcting me. We've had many discussions throughout the day about how/why he was named and that even while he was in my belly he was DJ to us. And that because there's already a boy named Daniel in first grade and they do a lot of stuff with them, it will be confusing. I even tried suggesting he wait til the beginning of the school year next year to change to Daniel, but he's adamant it should be now! He even corrected Sam when she called him DJ...but for the most part, she's been good at calling him Daniel...until he does something and she's upset with him lol

After breakfast I got busy with some Auction stuff...emails and whatnot...and Sam took FOREVER to get dressed, so it wasn't til after 12 that I could go do the books at the shed. The kids stayed behind to play with the boys next door, so I was on my own! Not that it made much of a difference as the kids do well when we go. Thankfully there was half the book load as last week!! I got home and made us all lunch. I got busy on auction stuff again and before I knew it, it was 3 and I wanted to get on the treadmill before then! Oops!! DJ was still outside playing, but Sam was inside with me as she'd had enough testosterone for one day!

I did a good jaunt on the treadmill too...3.25 miles!! Most I've ever done! Just when I thought I couldn't go anymore, a great song comes on Pandora and I'm bootin along! I don't hurt as much today as I did last week...so I'm likin it! My hips are a bit tender when I sit for too long, but not too terribly. Today I did 70 minutes worth....and actually am considering a 5k....but then I shake my head! LOL I couldn't run the whole thing, so what would be the point? Plus, I want to get this hernia fixed....which would set back any training I'd be doing. Maybe I'll wait til I'm 40...er, 29 again! lol Its a thought.

Dinner was in part, thanks to Pinterest....I'd found a recipe for homemade chicken nuggets and tried them out. They were super easy!!! But I should have lowered the heat to begin with as the first half of them were kinda crispy and darker than I'd want them to be. But I did try one...OH MY WORD they were good!!!! At this rate, we won't need the frozen crap ever again!!! Then because I'd had such luck, I tried out another recipe I'd seen on Pinterest for crustless mini quiche type things done in my muffin pan. I changed it up a bit and used smoked steelhead, spinach and olives in with the eggs. Can't wait to try one tomorrow for breakfast!!

I took off before the kids were done eating as I had an Avon meeting to go to....just a small one with some other unit leaders. It was done just before 9 and I was home by 9:30...not too bad! Once I got some more auction stuff done on email, and lunches squared away, I sat and watched the Bachelor...my, oh my...that Courtney is a skank!!! I don't like her one bit!! Not at all surprised Elyse wasn't given the rose....even I could tell there was nothing there!! I think I'm rooting for Kacie B the most! :)

Til next time...God bless!

I knew this day would come

I just didn't think it would happen so soon!! Today we were actually early for church!! It helped that I had nursery duty...for real this time. Between me and a youth girl, who's also one of Sam's Awana leaders we had 6 kids. I think they all had fun! Only two criers, one because she had a toy taken from her and she screamed, I told her screaming wasn't necessary and she cried. The other was being a diva when she didn't win at musical chairs, I just let her cry that one out. After church we parted ways and I went on to do Avoning. None of my regulars were home which made it tough to find somewhere to eat at...and pee!!! I did get done in record time tho! I was home before 5:30! And that was with a stop at the shed on the way home too!! I came home and Howie had installed the new gate we bought yesterday at Lowes...a metal one that swings!! No more climbing over the gate to get downstairs...unless of course you want to. I'm so pleased it was installed so quickly!! The kids will need some practice to open it, but they'll figure it out eventually! They have everything else that's been proofed in this house! I sent the kids downstairs after dinner to clean up the play room....I go down there a half hour later and am pleasantly surprised to see how clean the floor was...and then I turned around...they'd piled EVERYTHING into one big pile...oy! I then helped them put it all away. And we sorted thru it all too! Keepers, giveaways, and garbage! We went a bit late, and bedtime was upon us! Samantha chose the book, or more specifically the story from our childrens bible...Daniel and the lions den...and before I could get started DJ piped up and said he wanted to be called Daniel from now on. Say what??!?! Remembering all my name changes, I feel I must humour him...so I suggest we call him Daniel John instead of just Daniel...not good enough, he wants just Daniel. Hmmm. I ask him why, and he tells me about the boy in grade one who's also a Daniel. We talked about how Mrs Hughes would have to change everything that has his name on it. I got a suggestion from the Facebook village to make him wait til he's done school for the year before changing...plus it's less confusing. I know I'm gonna have a hard time switching...lol When we picked his name, it was always with the intention of him being a DJ... Til next time...God bless!

She's the man

Boy, was today busy!!! Howie got my sleep in...I made a meeting for 8:30 not even realizing that i was cutting my nose off...so I got both kids up and dressed and out the door. I'd realized last nite that I'd overbooked myself so breakfast was already done. We got out of the house on time, but hit all 3 lights on the way there and poor DJ had to get a tardy slip! I then headed to the library for my meeting with one of the long timers of previous auctions to brainstorm with her and pick her brain...I think it worked. Sam and I left there and headed to Snohomish to the Imagine Inn for their Winter Wonderfuls puppet show. My g/f Kody and her two girls met us there and we watched together. Sam was mesmerized and even got up and danced the first song and did freestyle clogging...it was awesome!!!! But then she wouldn't go up to save her life!! I kept suggesting it, but no go! It was a 45 min performance and from there I headed to drop off an Avon order to a new customer who lived 5 mins away from the theater. Nice lady too...my age...2 kids that are ten years older than mine...and she used to be an Avon rep....I like those customers as they KNOW the product well!!! While we were on the way home I started doing the math to figure out if we had time to head home for lunch...we didn't. I'm not sure if Sam was reading my mind or not, but she suggested Red Robin and I had JUST been thinking of doing that. So, we did!! She got Mac n cheese with apples and I had a chicken avocobbo salad...it was tasty and quite filling! Then we went to 9 places to hand out procurement forms for the auction before heading to the school for recess duty. The sun was shining but it was still chilly....and those are good conditions for recess!! Sam is finally willing to play with some of the girls in 3rd grade, but mostly likes to play soccer by herself. After recess I checked with DJ's teacher to see if she needed me...she did!! I got to test the kids on their reading skills. DJ chose to be first and he aced it!!! Just as I knew he would!! But after hearing all the kids, I see he's smack dab in the middle! Good place for him really. I'm pleased! It's beyond awesome to see him learning to read! I can't wait til hes reading a real book to me!! We waited for school to be over and got DJ and finaly headed home! Sam tried falling asleep on me less than a mile from home...nipped that in the bud and kept her awake! We got home and they played outside a bit. It's always fun til someone (Sam) gets poked in the eye. Got her calmed down and on her way out the door she caught her thumb in the sliding door...so I made her stay in...of course at that point all she wanted to do was snuggle!! Which we did!! After dinner we watched Over the Hedge...the second half as they'd already seen the first a couple nites ago. They stalled bedtime just enough that Howie got home from work. And he'd stopped by the Apple store to get an iPad2...his turn for a new toy....which I'm currently using to type on....I kinda like it. Tabbi's charging now or I be on it....but I do like this one!! It's familiar since we've both been using the iPhones. Since there was nothing on tv I chose a movie from the dvr...She's the Man...I liked it!! It was cute. Now I'm ready for a conversation with my pillows...we've missed each other!! Til next time...God bless!

When does the pain end???

This week the treadmill and I have renewed our relationship and I gotta say, I'm definitely in an abusive relationship!!! My hips have never hurt this much EVER!!! Dang!!! Makes me feel older than my 29 years!!! More like 79!! So, seriously, when does the pain end!?!?

This morning was a tough one like most Thursdays are....Awana makes the kids extra tough to wake the next morning!! SamSam stayed in her jammies and didn't take her diaper off...which is unusual but I wasn't gonna fight it! After we got DJ to school, on time I might add, Sam and I went to Freddy's to get salad and a new backpack as his zipper broke right off this morning. I swear we have some serious zipper karma!!! 3 jackets and now the backpack!! We didn't find a backpack but I did find a pair of cute black pumps that were on sale....I can't remember the last pair of heels I bought....or wore for that matter!! These are what I'd call kitten heels...maybe 2 inches....but there have been a few times and outfits that have called for heels and I don't own any. Now, I do!! Sam loves that they make noise! Such a girl!

We came home and finally got breakfast and started our day. Sam took a nice long bath before watching Bob the Builder.  About noon I did my hour on the treadmill and then made us lunch before heading to school to pick up DJ. Sam fell asleep on the way which made it tough to decide whether to wake her as we'd gone early for her to swing...I gave her 10 mins and did wake her to swing before DJ came out.

We got home and just chilled til Howie came home. The kids picked burgers for dinner, so I got those ready to wait it in the fridge. After dinner I grabbed a shower while the kids played with the r/c helicopter and put jammies on. Their stall tactics were classic tonite!! Both of them too! Rather unusual for both. Finally they settled and Howie went to bed. I watched BBT and it was OK...Raj and the iphone 4s was quite funny...still don't think I'm missing out on Siri...

I've found a great new show called The Finder....quite funny yet different for a drama. Caught it by accident last week and enjoyed it. Makes me think of Human Target...but its different from that even. Then there was nothing else on!! So I made breakfasts, lunches, emptied the dishwasher and filled it right back up. Now, I'm off to la la land!!

Til next time, God bless!

What 'bout the beach mama!?!?!

We had a sunny day on Monday....and as we were headed to the shed to get 19 boxes of books,  jokingly asked the kids if they wanted to go to the beach! Both of them instantly agreed! So when we got done with the books and headed home, I took the "hill" way and when I turned right on Old Pipeline, Sam popped up and said "What bout the beach mama?!?" and all I could do was laugh! So I explained how it wasn't summer just cuz the sun was shining (again!!) and that the water would be freezing cold! AND that the sand would be snow...I think she got it, but it was still funny!

The rest of the afternoon, after lunch, was amazing!! The kids played outside with K and C next door and I actually got some work done!!! Even walked on the treadmill...for an hour!!!! Yeah, I'm still feelin it in my hips! Just got a groove on with Pandora and kept going! Need more days like that where I can spare an hour!

Today was tough...getting up at 7 was nasty but at the same time...I had complete uninterrupted sleep!!!! I woke up alone and DJ was still in his bed! I had to wake him! That never happens!!! Sam woke up while I was waking DJ and she decided to go to school in her jammies, so all I had to worry about was DJ gettin dressed. We got there with plenty of time to spare...yay me!! Sam and I stayed and chatted with Marty's mom a bit and then had a meeting in the office about the auction. By the time we got home I was famished!!!! And poor Belle had shit the crate with the extra time I was gone. NOT fun!!!

My morning literally flew by!! Between Avon, Sam bathing, giving Belle a bath and cleaning the crate, it was already 1 and we needed to leave at 1:15!! Yikes! Sam had her lunch while I got ready to go and I took my salad with us. We dropped the neighbours off at their school and headed to the post office (after dropping all the books off too!) and I worked with one of my reps to get more/new customers...we each got 4 names in the 40 mins we were there! Not bad! From there we picked DJ up and then headed back to SVEC to get the neighbours...ended up we only took K home with us as he wanted to ride with us instead of his parents. We stopped twice to drop Avon books and then came home.

The kids played in the house and even played Sorry together....which was really me playing all 4 hands for them...they bore so easy! But I don't let them quit....no quitters allowed! After dinner we played finockio (Sam's way of saying Yahtzee) and she kicked our butts! She's a 6 magnet!! Even got a yahtzee in them!!! It was hilarious when she shouted FINOCKIO instead of YAHTZEE!!!!! We laughed ourselves silly!!  They went to bed while I hopped in the shower and were both awake for me to tuck them in...I was hoping they'd be sleeping...but I enjoy the kisses and hugs!

After Howie went to bed, there was NOTHING on tv thanks to the SOTU address...so I watched Seven Pounds from the dvr....it was a 2 and a half hour movie...and it took  me 2 plus hours to figure out the gist of it!! I was **This close to shuttin it down...but in the end, I'm glad I stuck it out! Now I can say I've see it....lol

Til next time...God bless!

The Aftermath

Is so evident everywhere!!! The trees on Old Pipeline have been snapped in half like they were toothpicks! Its quite sad! But becuase it's winter and all the leaves are gone, you can see the half trees sticking up in the air. The evergreens got shook up pretty good too! The cemetary on the way to town is just littered with branches and debris from the incredibly tall trees. On my way into to town yesterday, I saw a pick up truck FULL with branches from one property, and they weren't done! We weren't hit that hard...the neighbours however, lost their rope swing branch! And that sucker was THICK too!!! All the kids are sad about it! Me too for that matter...hours of entertainment that rope swing gave!

Most of our snow is melted...and whatever is left is a muddy shade of brown! I miss the pretty whiteness..but that's about it! We are the evergreen state for a reason! The power however is not done showing its "power" (for a lack of better words!) as this morning as I'm getting Sam's hair done for church, the lights flickered, and then went out. Thankfully I was done my shower as we lost water pressure too...but that meant I coudn't make my breakfast and I sucked down the last shake in the house. And as I was getting my make up on, the propane guy showed up! What timing!!! So that made us late for church as the drive and the path to the tanks needed to be cleared and the driver wasn't gonna do it! But at least we have propane again (at a massive cost too...remind me not to let it get THAT low again!! OUCH!!!) and proper heat! I was told we may have to wait til Tuesday, so I'm very glad they fit us in today!

I was supposed to do Sam's class at church today, but they didn't need me...so DJ and I went and sat down to wait for Howie...he wanted to clean up after the propane guy left. Pastor Dan had gall bladder surgery last Wednesday, and so he wasn't preaching today...one of the elders did....I found it hard to concentrate on him as he was a monotonous speaker...but I did enjoy the old school hymns we sang! DJ took a cat nap for the last 10 mins of service...crazy kid! The kids went home with Howie and I carried on to Bothell for an Avon leadership meeting. I brought my lunch with me as I knew a coffe joint wasn't gonna have salad! lol

The meeting lasted way longer than I anticipated, and I didn't get out of there til after 3...and I still had to hit up Costco! I've decided, if you can find a parking spot rather quickly, it's not that bad inside!! And I found one with in 3 minutes of pulling in! Not too shabby!! Plus, it helped that the football playoffs were happening at the same time!! That was the real trick!! I found some Vitamin D to start taking....and a pretty good dose too...I'm excited to add it to my daily routine as I know that's something I seriously lacked last year in winter!

I got home and we started dinner right away....lovely pork chops, broccoli and cauliflower...delish! DJ added salad to his and gobbled it right up! After dinner they had fruit for dessert and still wanted more! Their hollow legs are showing again! Of course, they didn't get anything more! They went to bed well as they'd been outside with Howie earlier this afternoon and were tired! Howie too for that matter! As soon as he was done his fudgesicle, he went to bed!! I watched Once Upon a Time and Desperate Housewives....both in top form tonite! I also finished my first ever fair isle (knit with two colours) hat! LOVE it! Here's hoping DJ does! :)

Looks like I forgot to post this...oops!

Til next time...God bless!

Goin Stir CRAZY!!!!!!!!!

No, really, I am!!!! I'm so anxious inside it's not funny! I'm ready to bust out in tears and then laugh hysterically!!! I don't much like these feelings!! They get in the way! *sigh*

Last nite just as I was getting ready to shut everything down for the nite, the power went out! I'd been waiting up for Snickers to get home (sounds odd, but yes, I was waiting on the DOG to come home!) She had come home, settled on the mat outside the sliding door and the minute I stood up to let her in, she took off down the stairs again...I watched her trot across the yard to the road and that was the last I saw of her....I flicked the light off on the back porch and the entire house went dark. I thought I'd blown a fuse or something...it came back on briefly, like a camera flash, and then off again. I'd already shut the tv down...and most of the lights...so I locked up and headed to bed. The heaters had been running all nite, so the house was warm but knowing it was going to chill considerably, I actually put a nightgown on! Left the doors to both kids' rooms open so they'd not have to bang into it trying to find it. DJ didn't take long to come screaming into our room cuz it was so pitch black!! I pray one day he'll enjoy darkness for sleeping...as it was, he snuggled in with us and we went to sleep.

I woke up the next time and Sam was in Howie's spot...mvfm vfi

000000000000000000000000000000000000000dxzcdxxxxdfxddxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdffffxxxxxxxxxx


The above gobbledygook is from one of my children...proof of their stir craziness too!! lol

Today, Saturday, and all is right with the world!!! Slept until 10:30 or so...lovely!! Chilly, but lovely!! Had breakfast and was out the door by noon to head to town for groceries. Did the dollar store, my boyfriend Ben, Freddy's and the co-op before heading home! My hips actually hurt from all the walking!

To make it even better...Howie suggests teriyaki for dinner...how could I refuse?!?! The kids got a glow bath before dinner and once they were settled in bed, Howie and I played cards where he promptly handed me my arse!! Yowch! I also made some sugar-free jello shots with the vanilla vodka left in the pantry...they were yummo!! Definitely do that again!! :)

Til next time...God bless!