Christmas, Christmas Everywhere!

Hi there friends and family! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Life has been busy and crazy the last week or so. It was non stop at the salon and then of coarse getting things done for Christmas was just crazy! I'll take you through it one step at a time. Anything else would just tire you out anyway.

Your first stop, Pierre. We made it out to Pierre the weekend before Christmas to enjoy some time with Justin's family. We had a very nice time. I got some shopping done and Nathan and his cousin, Spencer, played non stop. A lot of the time they enjoyed 'hiding' from people. Let me explain how this was happening. They would hide by the couch, normally in plain view. Then they would be spotted and run to another room and giggle with each other - still in plain view or within hearing distance. It was fun until they would insist that you didn't see them at all. Whatever - go hide from someone else. =) (I'm the fun Mom/Aunt.) HA!

Look back at my previous post to remind yourself what was going on in our lives. Our van died, remember? We got it fixed for the bargain price of $1100, right? Yeah. Here is what was causing all the problems.

Apparently that doohickey works better without the hole. Imagine that! Justin wrapped it up in a box and gave it to me for Christmas. He thought it was some funny stuff, and it was, but when I opened it I had 1)no idea what it was and 2) was sad that I hadn't gotten him anything. After the confusion - it was funny.

I searched high and low for something to replace Natey's white Dallas Cowboy helmet. I thought if I found a Romo (the QB for the team) jersey or something like it then I'd be golden. No such luck. It was weighing on me something horrible. Finally, on Sunday I told Nathan that I'd talked to Santa when I was in the mall. Here was my story: "Natey, I should have taken you to the mall today. Santa was there! He called me over to where he was talking to the kids. He said Are you Nathan's Mom? I said yes. Santa said The Elf's are having a very hard time with that helmet. (Nathan winced....and it cracked me up.) If we don't get it done by Christmas, could you please buy it for him for his birthday? I assured Santa that I would.

Nathan could not believe that he'd missed me talking to Santa. He kept saying "Man! I can't believe I missed that. I wish I would have gone with you." Um, thank GOD you didn't was my thought. Anyway, it bought me the time that I needed. More on that in another post.

We had wonderful meals and got wonderful gifts while in Pierre. Here are a few photos.Here is my new nephew, Zachary. He's such a sweet little thing!You know Jack, the other person is his dad. You don't see much of him because he hates to have his picture taken. I'm sure he'll be more than pleased to see it show up here.

Merry Christmas from Jack.....

He didn't open many of his gifts. He enjoyed the mess much more than the opening. The other two kids enjoyed it though.There is much more to share, but I have to go to work for a little bit. Tune in tomorrow!

So, tell me.....

How have you all been? Really, I'm asking. I know that you must be saying "how about you pop over to my blog and find out," right? I'd love to, really I would, but I don't have time. I'm not sure where my time has gone. I waisted it so much prior to my new job. Now I seem to have misplaced it. So I'm curious - how are you doing?

I don't get to all the blogs that I used to love to read. I don't want to tell you the ones I read and the ones I don't. That wouldn't be very nice. Once a week (usually on Sunday) I try to catch up on blogs. I'm glad I have a new job that I enjoy, but I also liked being able to keep up with everyone.

Here's some of what's going on with me. This weekend we're heading to Pierre to have Christmas with Justin's side of the family. I was able to see my nephew that was born in June for the first time the other day. He's simply adorable. I told my mother-in-law that she can take care of Jack while I play with Zachary. I can't wait to take all kinds of photos of the kids.

Nathan asked for a white Dallas Cowboys helmet from Santa. I tried to tell him that they are very hard to make. He's positive that Santa will just tell the Elf's what to do and - boom - there ya go - a white helmet. Poor kid is probably going to be disappointed on Christmas morning. I hope that he'll be happy about getting the other things on his list. Stay tuned.

OH! We went to see what I called the Ghetto Santa at Lewis Drug last weekend. FUNNY STUFF! I'm guessing he was a college student - one that's never been around children. We didn't tell the kids what we were up to when we loaded up the Explorer and headed to the store as a family. Nathan told Santa of his wish for the helmet. The Ghetto Santa (with some of his natural dark hair showing) started talking football with Nathan until I gave him the 'Santa doesn't talk football with kids' look. All I could imagine was Santa saying something stupid like 'Dallas sucks' and then Nathan needing counseling for the rest of his life. Oh yeah, every kids dream - the Ghetto Santa - that's for sure.

Santa was somewhat asking Claire what she wanted for Christmas...kinda. He wasn't very interested in what she wanted actually. Natey had to ask her for Santa. She said she didn't know. Nathan, the very helpful brother that he is, said "Peach, do you want Dora for Christmas?" If only you could have seen the look on my face. Claire told me that she wanted Strawberry Shortcake for Christmas, so that's what she's getting. Thanks to Natey, she now wants Dora. Freakin' fantastic!

You think it stops there? Nope! I said to Ghetto (ahem), I mean Santa, 'Can you hold the baby?'. He said "Sure!" I have to admit I was surprised he even agreed. I handed Jack over to him and in less than 5 seconds Jack was screaming his head off. Santa looked at me with panic that I'd never seen before. So I took Jack back and posed for the picture. I'm not sure how or when we're getting that picture back, but the fine man (probably 16 year old kid actually) that took our picture also took our name and number - so we'll see. It will be a for sure must see. Ho! Ho! Ho! Ghetto!


Did I remember to tell you about our van? No? Well heck - you'll love this. I was coming home from SF the other day when my van started doing the mambo. WHAT - THE - HECK??? It was shaking and shimming like no other. HO-LY cat smokes! To make a long story short (at least about the van) we got it fixed for the bargain price of $1100. Yeah, Merry THREEKING Christmas to us! It was just what we needed.

Anyway, some day I'll have to tell you about Jack's neurologist appointment, but I feel that you might be a bit overwhelmed right now. After all, this post was really supposed to be about you. =)

HELP ME!!!

I need your help - PLEASE. Last night before I went to bed, I was trying to think of the name of something and couldn't come up with it. I begged Justin to get out of bed to Google it for me, but he wouldn't. So I'm counting on you (because I Googled it and came up short).

Ok, remember those pens that write either silver or gold? I used one to write on my graduation envelopes. Now they have gel pens that you can use, but the name of the pen that I'm looking for was the kind you used to have to shake before you wrote with it. It also smelled like paint and was a huge mess. Ohmygosh this is driving me crazy! My brain keeps saying over and over 'highlighter' but I obviously know that's not it. BUT - what is it?

So other than this, I've just been non stop busy. I don't enjoy non stop busy. At the salon I'm going from client to client which is wonderful for my bank account, but a tad bit stressful. (When I say a tad bit I mean THREE KING huge. That was very funny, BTW Heidijowhatdoyouknow.)

Now, people, PLEASE help me out before I go completely crazy. Do it for your friend. Please!

Food fight

The other day I walked by Natey and smacked him in the face with some powder sugar. When you walk by a 5 year old and smack him with powder sugar, you are, in essence, challenging him to a food fight. He had a good time smearing as much powder sugar on my face as he could. He squealed with glee as I pinned him between my knees while I smeared his forehead with the white glistening powder of sweetness.

As always, it's the small things in life that make me so happy. I'm so lucky to have 3 small things to make me so very happy.

Obese = Offensive

I had to go to the doctor yesterday. It's the kind of doctor that women don't like to go to. We'll call her 'Dr. Peek and Poke', shall we? (Shannon - I know you just said 'nice' out loud.)

I waited and waited for my appointment while thinking of the million other things that I needed to get done while I was in town. I kept looking at my watch thinking 'this is the last place I want to be and COME ON already'. I figured the doctor was with her patients that are pregnant and I remembered how I probably caused the same reaction a time or two.

Finally I got called back by the nurse. "Take off your shoes so we can get a height and weight." I said "Can't I just tell you? Do I really have to show you too?" The look on her face said "Yes - and shut it". I got on the scale and it was right where I thought it was going to be which is much better than 10 pounds more. I measured in at 5 foot 1 and 1/4 inch. That's right - 1/4 of an inch. She said it and I'm claiming it. I've earned it. Ok, so I've been that same height since High School. Mind your own business.


The nurse had me come to her little corner spot so she could ask me some questions. "It says here that your mother and father are still living. Has that changed?" I'm not positive how my dad has anything to do with Dr. Peek and Poke, but whatever. "It also says that your Grandparents are still alive. Has that changed?" Can you even imagine the look on my face? I assured her that everything was the same. The only thing different is my potassium issue.

While she was asking me what I thought were ridiculous questions, I noticed a chart that was right at my eye level (probably about 4'11", Justin, which I AM NOT....aren't these little outbursts making you feel better?). It showed a grid of weight and height. You know what I'm talking about. The one that makes you feel nothin' but great about yourself. But this chart was like none other than I'd seen. Not only does it call you fat, but it tells you just how fat you actually are. It calls you names. Here are your choices: overweight, obese, morbidly obese and.....crap! I can't remember the last one. Probably 'Hungry Hungry Hippo' but I can't remember for sure.

Anyway, as I'm sitting there looking at it wondering what my Grandparents have to do with my body, I follow the chart. I mean, it's really what they want you to do, right? I let out a bellar of a laugh. The skinny nurse sitting in front of me looked up from writing. I said "Hmmm, I guess I'm obese." She looked at me like "Well, if she shoe fits"....FOR REAL! She looked at me and kind of nodded. That cracked me up even more. I thought to myself "Little nurse girl - I might only be 5 foot 1 and 1/4 inches tall, but I'm fixin' to come out of this Hungry Hungry Hippo shell and beat the crap out of you - so shut it!" (Read that correctly Mother - I only thought it.) Not only did the chart call me obese, which, come on - I get tough love, but seriously...... Not only did the chart call me obese, but I was just a few points (or marks or something) away from being able to consult a doctor about weight loss surgeries. WhatTheHeck?

Finally I got to see the doctor and she went on and on about how wonderful I looked. She loved my brown hair. She loved my hair style (it's because it's cute). She thought I'd lost all this weight. Um, check with Nurse BuzzKill out front. She'll let you know that's not the case. I assured her that the only reason I look like I've lost weight is because she's seen me more times pregnant than not. For reals. It's true. I told her about the chart and that it called me obese. She laughed at me and told me not to pay attention to it. Easier said than done, that's for sure.


I guess it just adds fuel to my fire. I don't usually make New Years Resolutions, but this one has to be done. I don't enjoy this weight and I have no reason to not at least try to part with it. I know I have a busy life with a busy family, but 45 minutes on a treadmill isn't going to kill me. Who knows, maybe next year I'll only be overweight. We all have to have goals you know. ;)

What'cha doin'?

Hey there! What'cha doin'? Are you up to something?

Me?No!WhatMakesYouThinkThat?

Are you supposed to have coffee before you go to bed? It will keep you up all night.
Dad, I'm worried - is it true? Does this stuff keep you up all night?There's only one way to find out!

JACK......

JACK!!!!!

Now.....who's ready to party?

The game

For some reason Blogger and my computer are arch rivals. I did my video blog, but neither blogger or YouTube will upload it. I tried to upload pictures of the game and blogger wouldn't let me. COME ON!

So.....I made a video of the game. =) (Hopefully Tracy can help me get my video blog on YouTube and on here tomorrow.....we'll see.)

Keeping in touch

I'm not good with change. I don't like it. I don't welcome it. I'm just not good with change.

When I decided to change jobs, I knew that I'd miss my friends the most. I'm only about 2 1/2 blocks from my old work, but somehow my fear was that I wouldn't see them anymore.

What about 'the guys'? I would miss them too. I didn't think that they would come to me for their hair, but their office is only a half of a block from my new work. That would be easy enough, right? I thought I could go to their office to visit them when I wasn't busy. Perfect!

Well, keeping in touch has been much easier than I anticipated. Miah came to get her hair cut last week. Although she's not posted pictures, she says she likes it. One of my other co-workers goes to one of the other girls, but I was there and got to see her when she came in for a cut. Jennie and Linda have been in for services, but I also make time to see them.

Maybe you're asking 'What about the guys? Have you seen them?' I'm so glad you asked. The answer is yes! Yes, I have seen them.

Ok! So it's not the way I planned. I know that. However, my mom always told me that beggars couldn't be choosers. =)

So the fact of the matter is that the orange ticket was just a joke. It really made me laugh and confirmed that my friendship with this officer is real and exactly what I thought it was. The other? Well, that was real. Apparently on November 29, 2007 at 1209, going 72 in a 65 was a bad idea.

I was headed to SF to get some product and had to be back by 3 for a client. The weather was due to get bad (and it did) and I was in a hurry. What's 7 MPH between friends anyway? HA!

Right when I saw the squad car I pulled over. I was all nervous. What the heck was that all about? The Trooper kindly gave me a warning ticket and told me that he was more interested in knowing if my seat belt was buckled. I always wear my seat belt when I travel, so it was.

Lets talk about this Trooper for a moment, shall we? He's such a nice guy. Seriously, he's just a very, very nice man. He's a bit younger than I am and single. That's right, single. I'm not sure why though. He'd make anyone a great husband, I think. I mean, from what I know of him he'd be a great catch. However, he doesn't seem to be in any kind of hurry to get married - or a girlfriend for that matter. None of that matters I guess. He's just all around a nice guy - and cute....cute always helps. =)

So in case you were wondering, yes. Yes I have been keeping in touch with my old friends. It just wasn't the way I thought it would be. =)

Another one for the books

One morning while Justin was gone on his hunting trip, Nathan had been up for a bit and so had Jack. Jack was in his high chair and Nathan was playing football on the PlayStation. Princess Claire was still in bed.

Nathan: Mom, you should go across the street and get us breakfast. (Reminder, across the street is McDonald's.)

Me: I can't. I have to take care of you guys.

Nathan: It's ok. I'll watch the kids.

Me: No, I can't leave you home with the kids.

Nathan: Sure you can. They aren't that hard to watch.


Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah. I'm lovin' it.

Some things are just priceless.....

Elf yourself

Have you seen this yet? It's some funny stuff. Justin's cousin sent it to us first and then my friend Lucy sent it to me. I made one with Justin and the kids that about made me pee my pants. Justin wasn't near as impressed as I was. I don't understand why. Nathan was mad at me because he looked silly in his picture. He wanted to be smiling and he wasn't. So, I elfed myself with the kids. Check it out.

Video blog