Oh, Hi!

Some interesting tidbits.

1) I could not find a good winter coat for my son in River Falls or Hudson , so I had to drive to Woodbury to get one. This is Wisconsin, it is cold here. We should have several places to buy good winter coats near by.
2) Glitter, all stores in River Falls are sold out of glitter. They at least had glitter at one point but now it is gone. All stores no glitter.
3)Small barn animals, not living barn animals. Little plastic barn animals. Finally found a small set at Shopko in River Falls...they were overpriced. But all the other possible stores here did not have them. Again, this is Wisconsin...farm animals?!

On the colposcopy fun front. While the biopsy results were normal, turns out that doesn't really matter much because my PAP was high grade abnormal. So now I get to choose between two really lovely options a) another PAP and Colposcopy in 6 months or b) an agressive LEEP now. Yipee. Choices and options. Both of which suck.

So to get through the holiday I think I will have to consider drinking a lot.
All gifts are purchased and wrapped.
Turns out I am a hard person to buy for from what I hear. Wonder if one can purchase a more normal cervix?

Stuff and Things

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. While I don't want to eat breakfast first thing after I wake up, after about an hour I do. Problem is that I don't always want breakfast foods for breakfast. Dinner for breakfast would be great. Favorites would include left over India food, macaroni and cheeses, pizza, mushroom stroganoff, pasties, ......sounds like I want carbs for breakfast huh? I also would mostly like to eat the same portion at breakfast time that most people would save for dinner.

If this all worked out, I would be happy to just snack the rest of the day and not have another big meal.

The problem with the whole scenario above is that I wake up early and am out the door within an hour. So I am not ready to eat my breakfast dinner until I get to the office. Once I am in the office, my choices are limited. Therefore I spend the morning trying to fill up ....to get my dinner portion. I am therefore eating junk. Hot chocolate, potato chips, candy from my co-workers desk, french onion dip, some microwave mac n cheese. None of this fills me up and I just keep eating.

What's a breakfast gal to do?

In other news. These snippets just in.

Things that suck:
Colposcopies suck.
Waiting for biopsy test results sucks.
Cold weather sucks.
Property taxes suck (especially in WI)
Spending money you don't have on stuff you don't want sucks.


A few of my favorite things:
Snuggly warm big dogs
Cute 6 and 4 year children of mine
Good Bloody Mary's with a pickle in them
Science documentaries

Funny things:
Labrador retrievers that are afraid of water.
14 year old little brothers with girlfriends.

That's all for today.

Bah Humbug! and Perspective

Well, not exactly bah humbug..but sort of.
I started out my week with an 8 am dentist appointment today to have a cavity filled. So not a fun beginning. To top it off, during my appointment they were playing Christmas music. It isn't that I hate Christmas but the music...not a fan. A bit ironic that was playing while I was having my teeth drilled. Appropriate probably since that music really couldn't have gotten any lower in my liking unless I was able to associate it with one of the things I hate most - dental work. Voila!

Two shots of novacaine, some Winter Wonderland tunes, a noisy drill...and one hour later I have a fancy new filling.
On the upside, now that the novacaine has worn off I can feel the left side of my face now and for the first time in over a month I can now chew on that side of my mouth. Yipee.

A week of adapting to another change in the office and lots of coworkers in town from around the globe.
And then for fun on Friday I have an appointment with my ob/gyn for a colposcopy. They may even be playing Christmas music there too...although that seems a little less likely than it did at the dentists office. As if it wasn't disappointing enough to have an abnormal pap, I've been thinking on those results for 3 weeks until this appointment on Friday. If you believe that stress and anxiety have negative health benefits, well then you understand why the wait for this is INSANE for me. If only I could make my brain relax for a while.

On to Saturday for a company Holiday Party. The good times never end!

Of course all of this complaining is just words and dumping it like this does make me feel better.

I have been reminded in the last month about how precious life is. Putting into perspective my minor gripes I have some friends that are dealing with the awful diagnosis of cancer. One a seemingly healthy woman not much older than myself and the other the young daughter of a friend who recently learned of a relapse of lymphoma.

Not being a religious person, statements like "it isn't fair" don't mean much. It always bothered me when I heard people say "you are never handed more than you can handle".

I have faith in the human minds ability to overcome and adapt. I also find great hope in the abilities of science to find treatments. I hope those two important things bring renewed health to anyone suffering from disease. If praying and religious faith is what a persons mind needs to cope or move forward than I am all for it. Life isn't easy and we should take whatever "pill" works even if it only works because we think it is.

Oh my what a disjointed post for no one to read:)
On that note, I have an adorable four year old who is sleeping soundly and I am going to cuddle up to him and enjoy every moment of my wonderful life that I can.

Goodnight!

The Jones'

Keeping up with them could sure be an exhausting endeavor. Lucky for us I rarely try.

It is tempting though. These grown-ups, the same age as I am, making similar incomes...but man, do they have some nice stuff. Matching furniture, beautiful decorations, new homes, nice vehicles, .... lots of stuff.

We don't have most of that stuff, and mostly it doesn't bother me. Until I think about inviting the Jones' over and I think our world might scare them. The only furniture I have actually purchased are a love seat and couch and a mattress....everything else is some form of hand-me-down. Without all that we have inherited from grandparents...we would be mostly furnitureless.

I love our antiques, they are mostly functional.

With 3 cats, a dog, 2 young boys...having anything really nice seems like a pretty futile effort.

So then I ask where o where does the money go, if not to an immaculately decorated home with an lcd tv , nice hardwood floors,etc......

I think it goes mostly toward buying organic food and paying tuition at the Montessori school...not to mention the ridiculously huge mortgage we carry as a result of buying at the tail end of the boom.

So Jones' we love ya, and we might like to invite you over but you will have to excuse the cat hair that gets on your cloths, the mis-matched furniture, the scratched wood floors...and my mom and step-dad living in half of our house.

I think someone should make a sitcom about this situation. Although it would probably bore most of you to death.

Whatcho lookin at???

Money Comes and Goes

Oh a big week at our house. Top of the list are:

a) new mini-van
b) Jared's b-day
c) Arden's b-day
d) Arden swallowing a penny
e) Baker's first school report

After much ado and on-going expression of my OCD tendencies toward over-researching and not being able to shut off my brain...we finally took the dive and bought a mini-van. Alas, it would have been more fun to purchase just about any other kind of vehicle...but we are in the practical phase of life with 2 kids and a big dog and lots of shit to haul around. Speaking of shit....

Arden swallowed a penny. We are only one bowel movement into the search so far. Jared had the honor of searching the first bm with a chopstick...and he even got to do that on his birthday. Happy birthday Jared! It was quite a scare for Arden and I think he may have learned his lesson about putting things in his mouth...although at dinner last night he did lick the top of the soy sauce bottle at the restaurant. I asked him why he had the penny in his mouth, to which he responded - "It was a hay penny, and I just forgot the rule about not putting hay penny's in my mouth."
UPDATE: The penny has been recovered, as of about 9 pm last evening.

My big guy Baker...he wrote a report on his Halloween hero..Thomas Edison. His report he wrote in perfect cursive, accompanied by a visual he created from a box and light bulb, and then he delivered his report verbally to his class and all of their guests. I am so proud of him and he really seemed to love the experience. Funny part is that he could have picked anyone he wanted to do the report on....some kids picked family members, their dad, etc....He is really growing up fast.

Halloween was fun this year. Both boys dressed up as Ninjas - which I am convinced was mostly because they wanted the plastic swords. Trick or Treating was fun and we have the candy to prove it. Now Jared and I have a good bribery tool to enforce good (just better) behavior.

Pics to be posted soon....I am really behind on that.

Fighting the Good Fight

The bad guy ship shooting water bombs, the good guys parachute out of their good guy space ship and land safely on the ground. They knew it was only water bombs and so decided to go to the ground to catch them and play for a while. Fantastic.

Fighting the Good Fight

It's been a good week. Letting something go that should have been gone a long time ago. Speaking up for my feelings. Very empowering. Some things you have to except, some things you can make a choice about. Just accepting something that hasn't been good for you just because you are used to it....well that is just plain d-u-m-b!

It is fall and it has been lovely. Last week we had a summery few days, now we are back to windy and chilly fall. Colors are pretty much done and we are on blue skys with bare tree's.

Jared has been studying and preparing for the PE exam...exam is on the 29th. Preparing for Halloween....both of the boys have chosen to be a ninja. I think they chose that based on the avaiablity of the swords with the costume. A ghost with a sword --nope, Frankenstein with a sword-- nope....but yes ninja. Two of the cutest ninjas in the world - no doubt.

We'd like to come up with the perfect costume for Howie- the dog-- any ideas????

A story of a friend

So there I was living in a place I can’t quite remember, but I am sure it was mostly good…. I have no scars and am not harboring any angry feelings toward anything living.
Somehow I ended up searching outside of my place, I doubt I really wanted to…but I did. I got lost, had no food, no shelter, no one to help me. Ended up in a jail of sorts, on death row….for what I did not know…I wished someone would find me and bring me back to my place…but that didn’t happen and time kept ticking. I think I am in Iowa, some clues point to that.
The sun started to shine again and a kind soul picked me up and escorted me to a new place. This place was great. Kind people, great food, love, a doctor to see that made me feel better. I could finally relax. These people call me Howie. It doesn’t sound familiar but it sounds nice and everytime they say that name I come running…because I know I will get some love, food, walks, and fun!
About a month later these two crazy people showed up at my new place. The lady was nice and she talked to me in a silly voice. The guy was fun and had long hair…he ran around with me. They touched my feet, pulled my ears, looked at my teeth, threw the ball for me, hugged me, wrestled with me ….and then….I went with them into their car. A small car, but it had windows and I hung my head out and took in the smells. They gave me a treat and some ice to chew on.
Then we arrived at another place. They said “Welcome home Howie!” I met two more of the crazy people…energetic, loud, and fun little boys. More treats, more walks, hiking, fun, love!!! I found my family! I feel like I have always known and loved them. I have my own couch in Baker’s room , yummy food to eat, cats to play with, dog friends to visit, a big yard to run in….I am happy and my people family are happy.


A note from my people: Adopt a homeless pet.Don't buy from breeders, pet stores! We especially love to adopt older dogs that need a home. No biting, peeing, no issues...just perfect!

Wearing many differant hats...

Labor Day Weekend Excitement

Oh we had a trip to Hayward, hiking with friends, swimming in the hotel pool, frantic calls from the family about my dads smash-face-on-the-ground-black out-wake up-look like hell- worry his kids-roller blading fun. Baker lost his first tooth! The boys had their OFFICIAL first days of school on September first.

Oh and because

it's been so long, I have mess of random things to include in the update.

These tidbit are:

Hot Pepper Jelly making.

First day of preschool -technically phase in week.

• Wii Tennis in the buff
• Business Booming at the lemonade stand
• A moment of silly creativity

This week is official first day of preschool and 1st grade for my little one's. Hard to believe time has flown so fast. This weekend - Labor Day Weekend- we are camping. Very much looking forward to that.

My big complaint right now is allergies. Hay fever, rag weed....grrrrrr!

Got away

Time got away from me. It's been a fast summer so far.

We spent a wonderful weekend in the UP of Michigan over the 4th of July. Visited Copper Falls to camp and hike, a night in Copper Harbor, another night in Hancock. Just wish we had more time.

We also spent a long weekend in Grand Rapids, MI for the in-laws 40th wedding anniversary. That was fun, minus the 4 hour trip to the urgent clinic for pink eye. Seriously, it was insane. The dr. at this clinic refused to just accept my diagnosis..which was that Baker had pink eye...and instead made the child put some glow in the dark oooze into his eye's, looked with the microscope at his eyes, made him take an eye test (he can't even read all of his letters yet), and then decided on prescribing the standard drops for pink eye AND oral antibiotics AND childrens Benadryl AND Patanol eye drops. Overdoing it a bit???? I thought so, so we just used the drops, and it cleared up as expected. Can't wait to get the bill from the clinic!

Jared proceeded to get pink eye and then so did I. Top on a couple of high fevers and the last two weeks have been a blast!

We are on the upswing now though! Packing August full of fun. Cabin weekends, time with friends, all good stuff.

The garden is a neglected mess of weeds. Yet somehow we are still getting tomatos, zuccini, basil, dill, cucumbers, peppers, and some very cabbage worm infested napa.

And what would a post be without some recent pictures:

The "Hoola Hoopin Arm" Band sings us a song titled "Dad Mowing in the Lawn in His Red High Top Shoes"Brave Sir Romeo , aka Romeo Salsa or Smelly Cat or The "Fat One"

RIP Bear

As many of you know, Bear has been in a downward decline lately. The poor dog has lost a lot of weight, and on Monday of this week he stopped eating. The vet has tried with iv fluids, etc. to spark some interest in eating again...but no luck. We've tried turkey, hamburger (yes in our vegetarian household), peas, cheese, beer, cheetoes, crackers, beans, anything and everything. No luck. All he has eaten since Monday is about 1 tb of turkey and 12 peas. Prior to that he was on a roast beef only binge for 2 weeks.

Bear is certainly the best dog any family could ask for. We were very lucky he found his way into our lives when he was already 7 years old. We've enjoyed having him in our family for nearly 6 years. He truly is the perfect dog. No issues at all. Really, never.

Last night we said our good-bye's. Some funny conversation was had with our boys while we were in bed trying to fall asleep. We talked about some fun memories of Bear. The boys asked alot of questions around his impending death such as what would be done with his body, etc. It was a pretty insane conversation but it was also funny. He was a quirky dog in a quirky family.

As I write this, Jared is preparing to take the most humane step of bringing Bear to the vet's office to allow him a quick peaceful death. To say Bear will be missed is an understatement.

This has saddened Jared and I more than either of us expected. Even knowing he has been getting old and more sick hasn't made this easier.

I can't recommend enough to everyone that reads this that you should go to a shelter and adopt an older dog. Even though our time with him was shorter than we would have liked, he was truly a blessing to our family and I would do it again 100 times.

we love you bear!

Visual Voicemail- Voice Recognition

Just a sample of the messages I receive via email. I have to admit, the voice recognition software is pretty slick..I like being able to read then vs. accessing my voicemail. BUT...they do make for some funny interpretations of what was actually said. Any phone numbers I replaced with an xxxxx.

Happy Reading.

"Hey Joe, this is mom calling. Just calling to say hi and we actually finished the porch a little while ago but I also took a nap dad(?) and have a mess around. So anyway, we're driving home to get some one. Give us a call that will be great. Bye. "

"Hey guys, I got a message from Sarah on Monday. Borrow the expedition for 4 July and see if you go. If you because is camp so he doesn't get back and actually until the third from camp. So we will be to go up but you can borrow the expedition here and I'm not sure. Just let us know what days you're planning on leaving coming back so we can kinda make plans. Our site as to how to get around without the expedition. So give us call back. Talk to you soon, bye "

"Hi this is Jessie with USI and I'm calling to let you know your delivery is scheduled for Thursday at about 8:45:00AM. And if you have any questions, give us a call at 1XXXXX ext. 21149. Thank you "

"Hi, this is [...] from Vonage. Just do online testing with the incoming call. Get a fast busy signals and the rain know the course should be completed fine. Please retest and also would send you the email. Thank you very much. Take care now. bye bye. "
"Hey Sarah, this is Diane. I don't believe I'll be coming to the shutterbug bonanza, so, so, I just want to let you know, I know it's kinda late. I thought that you kind of thought it was coming but then you got said didn't think I was coming soon. I took that as an option for out. So, anyway, I'll just let you know. Bye "
Oh you know, it's just me calling to say hello. I hope you having a wonderful weekend. [...] soccer game and [...] going to movie this last all and then we're going to beer(?) tasting tonight, and I'm [...] for a little bit tomorrow, that we got another soccer game. And then we have some down time Sunday evening the beans spurred(?). So, we're gonna put those in the ground. That's [...]. Alright, see you later. Bye. "
"Hey Sarah, it's Joan. I just thought deal, just got home. I just thought I'd let you know that Thursday. Just left a blank checks in your mail box, so I don't know if your mom is around and and grab those. I thought let you know, I'll. Email you too. Bye "
"Hi Sarah, this is Dwayne with United natural foods. I have an address. I have two different addresses and I was just trying to get the right one. And I'll try calling my company right now. It's a 8:45 and I'm I just got finished at whole earth gardener groceries. So I'll be headed that direction but I just want to make sure the address before can. Thank you. Bye oh, my number xxxxx is like a hold me. Thanks "
"Hey, I don't know if this is your number or not anymore. My phone's here like almost dying didn't have reception [...]. I completely forgot that I was supposed to watch [...] today. And I spoke with Sarah yesterday and she must've forgotten as well 'cause she [...] getting there. So, [...] so I don't have Zeny's(?) number I can't call her. So I won't be there till tomorrow. Hello(?) guys you're on your own. Bye. "
"Happy Birthday Baker Boy(?). Happy Birthday Baker Boy. Happy Birthday Baker Boy. Happy Birthday Baker Boy. From Grandma [...]. And I'll be waiting you down. You're very old and helping him through Barb [...] here in the future. Hope you have a great birthday. bye bye. "
"Hi this family, it's Jane. Long time no talk. Just wanted to get in touch before my sister got here see if we can make some plans find something maybe halfway between here and there to picnic and party together. Give me a call when you get some free time. You remember. My number is xxxxx. Bye "
"Oh hello Leon. I'm sorry, I haven't read the wrong time. I don't know your in-laws are in but I just called to say hello and I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Piece out. Talk to you later. Bye "

Rock on

Yes I found some cute little rocks on the beach.

Yes I took them home.

Yes I got out my sharpies.

Yes I drew faces on the rocks.

Yes I brought them to work.

Yes I lined them up on my keyboard.

Just sayin....

Back by demand...

If three out of a total of 5 readers requests, I guess that qualifies as demand!


Beginning of summer life is raining along nicely. The rain and warmth has really been perfect for the garden and new seedlings seems to grow inches over night. Everything is so green the woods surrounding our house are like a magical little wonderland. Garden successes so far include having grown all from seed, harvest of lettuce-spinach-arugula and lovely garlic scapes.


The boys have really taken to swimming as a result of their ymca swim lessons. We now have an advanced pollywog (Baker) and an eel (Arden). Baker successfully passed the waterslide test and has earned the privledge to take several runs on the waterslide each time we visit the pool. He is given a wristband each time we visit to indicate he passed the test and is diligent in saving each band by taping it to his bedroom wall. Very proud he is.


Creativity hasn't been at the top of my priorities...just no time. The small bits I am able I made a couple of plant stakes with personalized bodies and cut outs of the subjects faces....3 for mothers day for my mother that displayed the three grandkids, another for a friends daughters first b-day....they are a lot of fun to create. Make a nice little gift when stuck in a plant with a nice pot.



Taking a mental health day today...so PTO from the office. If I could just convince my brain to lay off the CrackBerry, I could let it all go and actually reset. In spite of Jared's on-going drive to plan every moment of the day, I am resisting that and will state that I do not yet know exactly what I will do today. This PMS just might dictate laziness all day.


Made it to 10:26am with only one planned event-- taking a picture of the cedar chest Jared refinished for us.

The Cedar Chest-- found this at the local second hand store at a steal for only $30.00 It was covered in warped veneer so i wasn't sure where it would end up. Jared committed a lot of time and talent to sanding the whole piece which revealed beautiful cedar. This piece will now play the role of footboard and linen chest in our bedroom. Next is to stain the door we'll use as the headboard. The two pieces will then coordinate nicely. I will make sure to take a picture of the final display when that is all done.

Okay, now it is 10:29am and I have an inkling to plan my dad's upcoming 60th b-day party. Might get creative with the invites...sounds good!

Recent pictures of some fun around here:

Time keeps on ticking

And I have been terrible about posting. Life is good.

Boys are doing well. Birthday party this weekend for Baker. Grandma and Grandpa are visiting and bringing a family gift...wii!! We are officially entering the world of video games.

The boys will be excited...and I am not gonna lie...so I am!

Garden is wonderful and plants are growing. I will try to get some pictures this weekend.

For now, a photo from this week that makes me smile...

Spring has sprung...

I celebrated my birthday over the weekend and enjoyed a wonderful time with friends and family. A true weekend warrior, I live for the weekends.

Our friend Joan celebrated her birthday last weekend as well, to follow this text is a picture of my "creation" for her. I envision it hanging in her and Dale's house to welcome guests with a little bit of whimsy.

Seedlings are growing fast, although hopefully not too fast and too leggy. Ideally we'd find a perfect sunny and sheltered spot for the greenhouse...but so far no luck there. The seedlings are living their life in the basement under grow lights for now. I don't think it'll be long before we get them outside.

Seedlings

We've been busy...

Flowers, leaves, something green?

Last year, summer and spring I started a collection of leaves, flowers, etc. that I pressed. I've been struggling with how to work with them. Finally I came across the clear contact paper or self adhesive vinyl sheets and that took me one step closer to preserving these items.
A couple of weeks ago at a shopping trip to Ikea I picked up these fantastic hanging frames...Finlar Fladdra....and the combined results have brought a smile to my face:

Not very useful but fun

Today was rough. Some set backs and some self esteem crushers.

Besides that I wanted to share some recent projectsthat have been a bit random, serving very little purpose. I like them. I would put them in plants, hang them from curtain rods or door knobs, or on hooks, or bring them to work and hang them on cubicle walls. Could put it on the outside of a gift or on a tree.
They are made with a small bit of creativity and a lot of random inspirational misc. stuff I have been collecting and saving.
All three, yes three. Have been gifted away and now exist only in the following pictures.
Would you ever purchase one of these useless items? If so how much would you pay for it? Who would you buy it for?
honesty is good. do tell.

She awakes anew...

After my visit to the darkness of the flu....I return awakened and turning over a new leaf.
Priorities must be in order.
Top priority is my family. I have three wonderful boys to live with and enjoy life with and no longer will I let stress of work dim that happiness at all!

Fun plans in the works for a small business with a friend...will roll out those details in due time:)
Getting ready to order seeds.

And a nice reminder of my favorite quote:

"When you feel yourself starting to become whole, it's all right to accept positions of power, but not before then. The overriding problem with our country, and our world in general, is that we are, in large part, managed by incompetents. Most of these are men who have spent their lives seeking power rather than themselves.Consequently we are confronted with the grotesque spectacle of working for childish figures --half-baked little generals with overblown egos and no more understanding of the seach for meaning than some primitive, base organism spending its time feeding on the lives and feelings of others, guzzling them up like strained peaches, cackling to themselves as they play shell games with other people's destinies." -Robert James Waller

On the birds and the bee's...

"Let me tell you a story about crows and some other birds" said Mom.

Both boys sit down on the couch attentively, the light of the fire flickering in their eyes.

"Some birds decide to stay together forever once they meet eachother. They like eachother so much that they decide to stay together their whole lives" said Mom.

"Do they date first?" said Thing 1.

"I don't know about that, they might. But mostly they just like eachother and then fly around and build nests together and stay together their whole lives" Mom replied.

"The BackYardigans do that" said Thing 2.

"Really, do they, I didn't know that about them" Mom returns.

"Yep they really really do" says Thing 2.

"The BackYardigans mate for life, I just learned that from our youngest son" Mom says to Dad.