survived christmas

well, another christmas has come and gone and now we are facing a new year. We are having a new years party, hopefully it will go off without a hitch. We have playstation, movies, ping pong, board games and LOTS of food. That should keep everyone at least somewhat entertained. Christmas was okay, did get to see hubbys cousin from florida, that was cool, she got to meet Lexie. Got a lot of cool stuff for Christmas, and hubby did as well. Lexie made out like a bandit, lots of cool toys and of course more outfits. She is well blessed! The most exciting thing, hubby made the final decision to go back and finish his degree (in general construction) and then go on and get a degree in heating and cooling (furnaces and refrigeration), we are really excited. He is a little nervous, he has been out for 8 years. But all the credits from the classes he took before are still transferable so he doesn't have to take any english classes, he is thrilled that is his weak point! He starts class on Jan. 8th. I think he will do just fine! Thus far he has a GPA of 3.5. People were pretty shocked, we have been talking about it for a long time it was just getting the gutts to go back. We just didn't want to tell anyone in case it didn't happen. Yeah, I know he has a good job now and he makes good money and blah blah blah (that is what people keep commenting on, why would you do that when you already have such a good job) but it isn't the job he loves, he doesn't hate it, but he doesn't love it, he wants a job that he really enjoys going to work every day and still make good money. and his hours aren't great now and seniority wise he won't be able to change that for quite a few years, and he wants a day job with weekends off by the time Lexie is in school, so he can go to volleyball games or basketball games and 4-h shows and whatever else she may decide to join. He wants to be an involved dad, he already is as much as he can be, but as she grows this schedule will become awful, with the new job it will be so much better. So now I guess I will become a "single" wife of a college student, for the next few years, but it will work out in the end. Some really close friends of ours just went through it, (he just graduated 2 weeks ago)--CONGRATS TODD, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU:) and so if they can do it, we can too! It is just gonna be hard at times but we will just pray through it. God is so good!

christmas snow is magic

I have a tradition that I watch Frosty the snowman around Christmas time and I was babysitting my neice this week, so I thought what better time than now to watch it with her. Well as I was watching I was listening to santa talk about the magic of christmas snow and I started thinking. Snow does make christmas seem more magical, and we are definitely gonna lack that this year! Most years you can sit at the window and watch it float down. The window get a little foggy, you reach out and draw or write something on the glass. You just feel a sense of peace, and you are lost in your thoughts. And it feels like christmas, you feel like it is okay to dream and dream big, there is no limit. It is a feeling of escape from reality even if only for a few moments. It is well....magical... It is hard for me to get fully into the Christmas spirit with rain and warm weather which as most people from Indiana can testify, this has not been our normal december! I just wish that we could have snow for a few days before christmas, then on christmas eve and day of, then the day after it can start to melt and be gone by new years, it is just not christmas without at least a little bit of white. but like or not christmas is fast approaching and I must remeber the true meaning of christmas! Merry Christmas to all!!

everybodys busy...

sometimes I just sit and look out the window or sit on the porch and watch the u.s. highway that runs about 1/4 mile from my home and just watch...ever notice how people are in such a hurry? I just get curious if they really have something so important to do or has it become just a habit to rush about? Do they even notice life passing them by? Or are they too busy? Sometimes it is nice to just sit and think, no one around, no where to go, just have peace! So here I was thinking and pondering and watching the distant traffic, when my neighbor comes roaring up the road on his 4-wheeler, back from deere hunting, (doesn't appear that he had good luck today.) I just sigh and think, "so much for the peace..."

no red at christmas??

This coming sunday hubby and I are taking our daughter for her 3 month pictures (although she is closer to 3-1/2 months now) and I decided for her outfit to be dark jean bibs with red turtleneck underneath, cute right? And I'm thinking no problem, all the christmas stuff had arrived in stores before halloween, (what is up with that by the way?) I would run right out and buy a red turtleneck, well I know our local town is small and all, but come on there was no red to be found anywhere! Not even in goodwill., Not even a red shirt, no turtleneck. I couldn't believe it, I mean, its christmas time, isn't red and green a tradition? I figured everything would be red. Then I thought red socks, do you think I could find those either? Well, I couldn't. What is happening to america? Where is the red and green for christmas?

the election...

the election...WOW! GLAD IT'S OVER! Hopefully we can go back to regular commercials now. I mean never thought I would actually miss some of those stupid commercials, but I am content to watch stupid and unfunny and even annoying over the war that was going on over this election. I guess at least we can say that no promises were made. All it was about was attacking the opponent, so I guess we will be surprised to see what the new elected will actually do for us. There were no empty promises or full ones, in fact there just weren't any made. Who knows, only time will tell, all I have to say is God Help Us! (I would say the same no matter who won!)

I feel such frustration! Don't really know how much to say, so will try to be discreet, but I really need to vent. (I recently found out someone is reading this that I have to be careful what is said) we (hubby and I) have 2 people in our life that are about to drive us insane! They say one thing and then do another, why do people do that? JUST TELL THE TRUTH!!!!!! It is so frustrating. These people claim to care about us and yet they turn around and stab us in the back, what is the point in this? Hubby and I are about at the end of our ropes! Sometimes we consider just leaving the state, just going away where noone knows us and we don't know them. Just start new lives, where no one can screw with us, I am tired of being walked on by people, tired of being used, tired of being pawns in peoples games, but is leaving running? Or is it what is best? Do we stay here and face the music? We did nothing wrong, but somehow we are ending up with the bad end of the deal, while a certain other couple is being handed the moon and then some...and they haven't done anything better than us, in fact we have worked our butts off to be here and they haven't hardly worked a day in their lives so why are they being rewarded? We put blood sweat and tears into it, they let the Government and their families support them because and I quote; "My social life doesn't allow time for a job" yes folks that is EXACTLY what was said. Wouldn't it be nice to have a life like that? I mean HELLO!! Still gotta pay bills, but apparently that is only for certain people, 0thers just sit on their lazy ----(sorry, getting a little carried away there) I know I shouldn't be upset, should just take the hand life has drawn, but why? Why does it work this way? Why does there seem to be favortism? Is there such thing as a pee-on? Because right now I think there is! I will get over this in time, but it feels good to get it off my chest. It seems like people that have worked hard should catch a break sometime. This too shall pass (right??) in time...hopefully sooner than later!

things have been so busy, this week especially! We went to my sisters and cut down a tree that was up right next to their house on sunday, well, I didn't actually help cut it down, but I did pray hard while it was falling and then help split and stack, it was so nerve racking, It was too close to falling on their house. It did fall on the well cover and cracked it, but that is a cheaper fix than the house. Hubby and I have been working hard at splitting and stacking our own wood! Trying to get ready for the dreaded winter. We had a sad Tuesday as we had to put our 5 year old american staffordshire terrier to sleep. that is never easy! She was our kid. I feel so bad for my rottie mix, she is so lonely without her, as are we! Hubbys sister is home from Arizona for a few days so its trying to find time to get together with her! And our church has the annual winter coat drive this saturday, so I have been VERY busy helping sort and set up clothes and coats! People are SO generous with donations. It is such a blessing! My daughter got her shots (a total of 5 needle pricks) and that was so hard, although she did better than I did! She is a whopping 9lbs 7oz. YEAH! Still not average on the growth chart, but MUCH closer! She is growing like a weed and for the most part is a happy healthy baby! She does have an occasional cranky day, but hey, don't we all? And so far we are still able to avoid medicine for the reflux, she has good and bad days but the cereal is helping, we thank God for that!
Have had company 1 day for lunch and 1 day for supper, that was fun, is nice to be able to spend time with friends I never got to see when I was working 2 jobs, but I do miss the friends I hardly ever get to see now that I'm not working! Hubby has been working a lot of overtime which we are thankful for seeing as home owners and car insurances are due next month. (YUCK!)
I also just bought 2 bushel of apples to can, make applesauce and apple pie filling out of. Gotta find some time in there to do that! My other sister and brother in law is adding on majorly to their house so hubby has been up there helping as well. Time is flying so quickly! I can't believe the holidays are just around the corner! I worried about being bored when I quit, boy did I worry for nothing! It's great! we are so blessed!

catching up...

wow, I have survived 7 weeks of motherhood! Time has gone so fast! Things were slow starting out because she has reflux and wasn't gaining any weight. So, it was weekly Dr. visits and weight checks, and many sleepless nights and days while doing nothing but holding her, feeding her and cleaning up puke, but we have finally gotten a handle on things after trying new techniques each week. Things are awesome now, she is gaining weight and is a happy baby. She has started smiling. It melts my heart, not to mention when she smiles at her dad...well, lets just say she is gonna get what she wants! She has him wrapped around her little finger already! The best part...she sleeps through the night, for example last night was 9-1/2 hours, oh the sleep is so sweet! I feel so much better, I am slowly getting out of that zombie-like state! Motherhood has been a HUGE adjustment, but I souldn't trade it for the world. I am at peace with quitting my jobs, yes there is stress to this, but nothing compared to dealing with the stresses in the workplace, difficult clients and co-workers. It just isn't the same. I love it!
We had another baby shower after she was born and got lots of diapers and gift certificates, (YEAH) so we can buy formula. That was a blessing! That stuff really adds up in expenses. its crazy. I am just so happy that she is doing well. Well, I am gonna sign off for now, it's about time for supper.

birth announcement

She has finally arrived! Its a girl...Alexis Evelyn Payne, weighing 5 lbs. 12-1/2 oz. and was 19 inches long. (Long and skinny), she has a head full of dark hair. She was born July 27th, 2006. We are so excited!

bad week

this has been a bad week to say the very least! The worst thing has been that I found out my aunt has pancreatic cancer and they are not giving her much longer to live, they said it is so far progressed that chemo will not help. it is such a shock, not really sure how to deal with it. Then, our swimming pool exploded, literally! I am not kidding, it went KaBoom...rumble....rumble...rumble and that was the end. Water everywhere! Never heard or seen anything like it in all my born days! So, now we are in the market for a new pool, used and cheap...anyone?? Can't afford a new one now that I am jobless. It was so frustrating, because we have spent honestly thousands of dollars over the 3 years making it as nice as it was. Feel terrible for hubby, he is sick inside about it, he keeps saying all that work and money...for nothing...was gonna turn it into insurance, but apparently they would "flag" us and raise our rates. Not worth that! So, we are taking it in for scrap. Then our phone went out this week, I'm thinking I need to have a phone, what if I go into labor? I mean I do have a cell phone, but come on lets face it, how reliable are they really, especially in the middle of the country. Phone company is jerking us around, of course it is in their line, but they can't seem to find it or know how to fix it. In fact had a guy out today working on it and he was trying to use his cell phone to call the office and was having trouble. See what I mean?? Then, someone threw a bottle of suntan lotion in the back window of my car (not sure who, have had various passengers) and in the heat, it burst, needless to say banana boat sun tan lotion, NOT fun to clean up. Hubby got a terrible sunburn this week, I was thinking he should have went to the Doctor, but as any woman knows, getting a man to the Dr is like pulling teeth that aren't loose. He has been in so much pain, not fun! Today I think I had my first braxton hicks, in wal-mart no less with people looking at me like what is your problem, it was like a muscle spasm, only it wouldn't let up! SSOOOO PAINFUL! I couldn't walk or breathe. Of course it happened 3 times before I could get out of the store. I told hubby if labor is worse than that, I can't make it through. (I know I can, it is just gonna hurt!) I am just so frustrated right now! It helps to vent! Thanks for listening.

bittersweet

I am so full of mixed emotions! Last week was the last week of work at the library for me and this next week is the last week at the vet clinic. I have made many friends along the way at both jobs and feel very sad. Hey, who says that just because you leave a place or a chapter in your life closes that all friendships have to end? No-one, but isn't that the way it goes? I mean lets face it, how many of us keep in contact with the close friends from high school, or the friends we had from Church when we were growing up, or other jobs we have made friends at? Generally you have 1 or 2 from each place, but thats about it. Why do some people only come into your life for only a season? You become friends with them, then something changes and they disappear? Shouldn't life be more about long-lasting friendships and deeper connections with people? We always say things like "life gets in the way" but what does that mean exactly? What are we so busy doing that we don't have time for friends?
I am going to miss my jobs, and most of my co-workers, I have worked at the vet clinic for 7 years and have truely loved the job. My favorite part was the surgery days, (with the exception of bone surgeries--too gruesome for my taste) but I always winced my way through them. I am gonna miss the regular clients that I got to know and some of our regular patients. The puppies and kittens were always fun too. I will miss most of my co-workers, we had some wonderful times together, and some were emotional when we would watch some of our favorite patients become sick, or hurt, or worse--pass away. We connected emotional bonds with some of them as well. That was truely the hardest part of the job and trying to console the owners. 7 years is a long time, and it is hard to turn and walk away!
As for the library? I wasn't even there a year, but it didn't take long to start enjoying the job and the people. I always thought it would be cool to work in a library and am thankful that I had the opportunity to do so. The thing that made it a little easier was that things were changing there several weeks before I left, and the people that made it so much fun had either moved to different departments or had retired. (with the exception of one person who is still in the childrens department, I feel bad for leaving her and am gonna miss her, I wish her the best!) So with the original gang already mostly gone that made it a little easier. I am just gonna remember the fun nights we had and how much we laughed.
I know staying home with the baby is the best thing, but with this chapter of my life closing it is gonna take a huge adjustment. I pray this next chapter is a good and happy one and I can keep some of the people from the last one in my story of life. I hope they don't disappear like others have from long ago!

ultrasound results

Well, I finally had my next ultrasound, after what has seemed like forever, and did find out the sex. It is a girl. I am happy but sad, I really wanted to give hubby a boy and I also felt like a boy would have been much easier to raise. I am filled with so much doubt now. If I have a prissy girl I will not know how to relate to her. I am a farm girl, I hate to wear dresses and the color pink, I hate painting my nails and I don't even wear makeup. There is no place for any of that stuff on farms and thats how I was raised and still am that way. What if I have a girl that wants all that stuff? What will I do? Will I be a good mom? Hubby says its okay, he will still teach her to fish, do woodworking, run electrical and all those things he likes to do. I am just worried that if we decided not to have another child that a boy would have been better. I am really scared of having another one at this point, because with the diabetes thing and the other complications I have had with this one, what if next time is worse? Besides, the more pregnancies I have the higher risk I have of developing diabetes later in life. That is a truely devastating disease that i want no part of! I have been around it fiirst hand for the last 7 years of my life and it is really scary. i have always said I didn't believe in only 1 child beacuse then that kid gets too spoiled. but I said that before I got pregnant and started going through everything. I have got to quit with the "I will nevers" it bites me in the butt every time. I think God laughs and says "wanna bet?" I guess there is always the option of adoption, huh?

this is interesting

I have received this e-mail from several different people and I always find it intersting to see what other people say to answer these, so I thought it would be fun to blog this and see if I get any responses.

What time is it? 5:39

Nicknames: Missy, Lissy, Lis, Miss Lissa, and many more...

Piercings? Double pierced ears, and no tatoos I might add

Eye Color: Brown

Place of birth: Wabash

Favorite food: Pizza!

Ever been to Africa? No, the only place out of the states is Bahamas and Canada

Ever been toilet papering? Honestly no, according to my parents that was trespassing, which always made me mad because all my friends did it and never went to jail or anything.

Love someone so much it made you cry? Oh yeah! I was heartbroken when this one guy and I broke up, but it all worked out in the end.

Been in a car accident? Yes, I totaled a 1 year old car with less then 30,000 miles on it, slid on ice and hit a utility pole, I was ticked because I had just paid it off less than 3 months earlier, now there is a really nice car with a bent frame sitting in a local junk yard, makes me sick thinking about it...

Croutons or bacon bits? Not a huge fan of either one, but if Iwas forced to choose it would be bacon bits hands down!

Favorite day of the week? Any day I don't have to work, so basically the weekends

Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden or any other Italian place...does pizza hut or papa johns count??

Favorite flowers? Any my husband picks out for me, just got some really pretty ones last week just because he loves me...isn't he sweet?

Favorite sport to watch? Hockey (I love the fights), and figure skating.

Favorite drink: Moo-Lattes from dairy Queen, or when I am not feeling so rich, diet pepsi.

Favorite ice cream? Edys cookie dough, or coffee flavored (any brand)

What color is your bedroom carpet? Dark Green

How many times did you fail your driving test? None

favorite fast food restaurant? McDonalds hands down! Can't resist those happy meal toys either.

Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The Disney Store

What do you do most often when you are bored? Play on the computer, read, watch TV, sleep, take a walk, or if its summer, go swimming.

Bedtime? Before I got pregnant, midnight, 1:00, now the earlier the better

Favorite TV shows? was friends, now everwood

last person you went to dinner with? my husband

Ford or Chevy? Major GM fan, so Chevy hands down.

What are you listening to right now? The whir of the computer and the shake of the ceiling fan.

Favorite color? dark green

Lake, Ocean or River? Ocean

Have you ever ran out of gas? No, I have always been taught by my parents that they wouldn't help if I ran out because it was my responsibility to watch the tank, and it always scared me that I would get stranded, so since the day I got my liscence I have only let my tank get under 1/2 just a hand full of times. And when that does happen I panic until I can get to a gas station to fill it again.

Well, there you have it, that is how I would answer these questions, what about you??

pregnant moment

I have had some very frustrating and embarressing moments the last few months and the story goes that this is quite common in pregnancy. Well, I'm tired of it. It started in the first few months when I managed to hit the garage with my car, yes the same garage I have been pulling into with no trouble for 4 years, and left a nice scratch on the car AND minor damage to the garage, then in the same week, managed to ruin my 5-year old flat top stove when I boiled something over and even though I knew better, panicked and used a knife to scrape it off, now what would possess me to do that?? I KNEW NOT TOO!! But did it anyways, and of course, dented the surface and ruined the burner so we had to go buy a new stove. Then one night left for work and when I came home the door was standing open and I of course freiked out thinking someone had broken into the house only to find out later, I simply hadn't closed it behind me when I left. Among other things, I constantly drop things and am completely clutzy, everyone looks at me like are you drunk or something? Its embarressing! You completely lose control of your own body. But last weekend I think tops the cake. I went to the vet clinic where I work last Sunday to do the chores, you know, routine stuff, letting the animals out for bathroom break and give them food and water, clean cages and all that fun stuff . Had been there about 1/2 hour or so when I let a dog out as I had been doing and stepped out in the exercise area to poop scoop from the last dog and the door swung shut behind me as it had been doing the whole time except this time, yep you guessed it, IT LOCKED! Of course my key is inside the clinic and my cell phone is in my (of course) locked car, the sun roof was vented but not open, so I knew even if I climbed up on the car I wouldn't be able to reach the locks, so I went and started looking outside for something to pick a lock with and of course found nothing, then the more I thought about that the more I decided that was okay because that was breaking and entering anyways, so I had nothing left to do but start walking. I walked to the nearest town to an apartment complex. Come to the first driveway and there is a van parked there, I'm thinking good, someones home, I go up and knock, of course no one answers, so I go to the second drive, 2 cars in that driveway, someones gotta be there right? NO, or at least noone answers the door, well way down the way an old guy is sitting outside with no shirt on (EEWWW) sunning himself, drinking what looked to be his 6th or 7th beer according to the empty bottles on the ground around him, talking on his cell and of course watching me going from door to door. I am really feeling like a fool at this point but also desperate so I walk down there, he was like can I help you? I was like can I use a phone, so he tells the person he is talking to that he will call them back and hands me the phone, so I was able to call my boss and she was able to come down and unlock the door and let me in, I was thanking God that she was home! Then I thanked the guy and started walking back to the clinic to wait and a person in a red car says "Hey, do you want a ride"? I was like no thanks, they were like "but i'm going that way" I was like thats okay the walk is good for me. So I walked back to the clinic and that car never passed me. It reminded me that you should never get in a car with a stranger, who knows where I would have ended up. Anyways, thank goodness it all worked out in the end, but with all the pregnancy adventures I have had so far, I wonder what I have to look forward to.

oh the joys of pregnancy...

Oh the joys of pregnancy! I am really beginning to doubt...is this normal?? It seems as if each doctors visit brings on more bad news, now I have high glucose, which equals gestational diabetes. I am limited on what I can eat. Thank goodness it isn't really high, she said like no insulin or 3 hour screening tests or anything like that, but still cause for concern. For now will control it with diet and will do the regular blood draws to monitor the blood sugar, she said that the one big concern is me having too big of a baby now, I am a little person, there is no way...I have my next ultrasound in 3 weeks to see if things have moved up or not, (at my last ultrasound they diagnosed me with a low placenta) and if it hasen't I am looking at a c-section anyways, so we shall see. I am just so frustrated, I am not sure I will be having anymore kids after this one, but we'll see. May just have 1 really spoiled one, which is something I always said I wouldn't have, but how many other times in life have I said "I'll never" and then I do, it is something I am trying not to say anymore, because it has bit me in the butt too many times.

weekend away

Two weeks ago, Hubby and I had a great weekend. He surprised me with tickets to a Kenny Chesney concert in Missouri about 8 hours away. He said he would have bought the tickets to one more local but, it wasn't until the end of July, just days before the baby was due, so he decided what the heck and bought these. No complaints here!! IT WAS SOOO AWESOME!!! I think he is so hot and seeing him in person, WOW, We had a really great time! The hardest part was the fact that he wouldn't tell me where we were going until we were actually there, I was going crazy trying to figure it out, he though it was funny, but it was really sweet! He is really sweet! The concert lasted about 3 hours, and we left shortly after midnight, there were sooo many people and lots of them drunk so we saw some interesting things, like for instance it was prom night for the local high school and there were 3 girls there in prom dresses holding signs saying "we missed our prom for you Kenny" and so on... then on the way home, we stopped at the John Deere thing in Moline IL. where we toured the factory where they make combines, it was interesting, but my husband LOVED it, he is a John Deere fan all the way, we even have a bathroom in our house completely done in John Deere, and he collects all kinds of tractors and stuff, anyways, he had a hard time choosing from the gift shop, ended up spending LOTS of money, but oh well, he did pick out something for the baby, he got a little ride on 4-wheeler, it is so cool, it makes all kinds of noises and the turn sgnals light up and go "tink, tink, tink" anyways, he can't wait til the baby can ride it. I'm telling ya the baby is spoiled all ready!! Anyways, it was fun to go, but nice to come home, I say it will be the last vacation for a few years, Nick says we will probably go somewhere next year and leave the baby with my parents, I doubt it, I probably won't be willing to leave the baby. We'll see who wins. In the meantime I feel so blessed to have such a sweet husband who would even think to do something so nice for me!

Do you ever wonder?

Do you ever wonder?

Can you cry under water?

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What did cured ham really have?

Why is it that people say "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every 2 hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it called a hearing?

If you drink pepsi and work at the coke factory, will they fire you?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings, then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

How come we choose from just 2 people for president, but 50 for Miss America?

Why do Doctors leave the room when you change, they are gonna see you naked anyways.

Why do you have to "put your 2 cents in"...but its only "a penny for your thoughts"? Where is the extra penny going to?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?


DO YOU EVER WONDER? (I confess I am always wondering about strange things!)

baby

the weather is getting nicer out finally and am loving it! We have the garden started and can't wait to have the fresh food. Hubby and friends and some brother in laws went skeet shooting last weekend and 4-wheeler riding. Will be going again next weekend. Isn't really fair, would love to go riding again. Has been so long! He is all excited because he got new tires, helmet and goggles this Spring for it, so now he is all ready to go. They are going next weekend about 2-1/2 hrs from here and are planning still another trip in the next month out of state. He is so excited. Is looking into a new 4-wheeler now that is much faster than his. Told him with the new baby coming not sure we can swing it. They just cost so much money, although I would love to see him get it so I can have one too. Time will tell if we can get it or not. Went to the Doctor today. Everything right on schedule. Had some trouble last week with cramping, was really scary, but things are better now. I only gained 2 lbs, which surprised me bacause I feel like it has been 10 lbs. But I was glad. I just know that things don't fit me well at all anymore! Baby is very active, kicks and flips constantly. It is so cool! Have been feeling really tired though. That is the downfall to being pregnant, the energy it takes out of ya. Still working both jobs which isn't helping, but have some bills paid way down now, so hopefully another month or 2 and I can quit one of them, that would really help. But all in all, things are wonderful and hope they stay that way.

ex's

Last weekend was hubbys sisters wedding. The wedding was beautiful and instead of a get-a-way car, they actually left the church on a John Deere Gator. (can you tell we are true farm kids??) It was so cool. The downfall to the whole weekend was one of hubbys ex's was there who is obviously not accepting to the fact that they are each married to different people now. I know it is so wrong to have these thoughts, I believe in God and the Bible and the ten commandments and all, but I really felt I could have killed her. She just wouldn't stop! Why did she marry John if she is still in love with my husband?? And then we had the usual issue of his parents...his mother in particular always manages to cause trouble whenever she sees an opportunity. Spending 10 hours with these people, well honestly is too much for me. I can handle a few hours at a holiday dinner, but beyond that....
Anyways, hubbys sister from Arizona was of course home and she said she is coming back in August when the baby comes, I am so excited. And Mandy (his sister that got married) seems so happy. Hubby got up at 3:30 AM the next morning to take them to the airport to go to Hawaii on their honeymoon. Sounds great. I wish them the best.
Other than that, has been a normal working week.

Haven't wrote in a while so I figured it was time; guess I can catch you up on whats been happening, which actually hasn't been a whole lot. Last weekend was pretty bust, On Saturday AM Hubby bowled on a bowling league for bowl for kids sake at a town that was 25 miles away, then, we ran home and took showers and turned around and went 30 miles in the opposite directionb to a wedding of a friend of mine. (I am really happy for her, she has honestly found the perfect guy for her, they are so happy). Then on the way home had to go about 25 miles south to hubbys parents house. Was kind of late when we got there, and I was a little irritated when we got there and his mom was sick, didn't bother to tell hubby that on the phone when they talked earlier. I think the biggest problem in our marriage is my in-laws!! They just irritate me so. I told his mom I better not get sick because I can't take anything for it....
anyways, better stop before I say something I shouldn't...
Needless to say we got home really late. Then on Sunday of course we had church, then a friend of ours was home for the weekend and he was wanting us to go out to lunch with him so bad, but I was like we have so much to do this afternoon and it is gonna push us on time, and so I think he is mad because he hasn't e-mailed me since, but he'll get over it, so we went to a town 45 minutes away and registered for baby stuff and went to menards (yeah rah) and spent lots of money for stuff for the house then did some other running around then back home. Then between my 2 jobs I worked 39 hours then baby-sat through the week. Needless to say, by Friday night I was feeling sick and of course it lasted through Sunday. Didn't end up going to church, which felt weird, hadn't missed churh in while. I just completely ran out of energy. Then Monday night hubby had to work and of course we had bad thunderstorms and my one cat is scared to death of thunderstorms and so he kept me up most of the night. Then worked alomst 13 hours on Monday, so here I am, quite honestly exhausted. Well, that is all my big news for now. Will write more later.

stubborn

I went for my ultrasound this week, I had such high hopes that I would find out what we were having. Apparently all that I found out is that I am going to have a very active and stubborn child. I am so glad that it is healthy and all, but was really upset that I couldn't find out the sex. The baby flipped and twirled and kicked. Guess is gonna be really active like his/her dad and stubborn like his/her mom. I had planned to start having fun shopping for it, hitting the clearance racks and getting stuff. I don't want to just dress my daughter or son in mostly green and yellow. Oh well, hubby was disappointed about it as well, but he reminded me that God had a different plan and of course he is right. (I hate that when he's right). Hard to accept. So onward with the baby planning and guessing. Just super excited that seems healthy. I was really nervous about that.

High Gasoline Prices?

The prices of gasoline are continuing to rise and this is truely frustrating! I came across this interesting article that put things in a different light for me, though. Thought I would share.

Diet Snapple: 16 oz. jar cost $1.29=$10.32 per gallon

Lipton Ice Tea: 16 oz. cost $1.19=$9.52 per gallon

Gatorade: 20 oz. cost $1.59=$10.17 per gallon

Ocean Spray: 16 oz. cost $1.25=$10.00 per gallon

Brake Fluid: 12 oz. cost $3.15=$33.60 per gallon

Vick's Nyquil: 6 oz. cost $8.35=$178.13 per gallon

Pepto Bismol: 4 oz. cost $3.85=$123.20 per gallon

whiteout: 7 oz. cost $1.39=$25.42 per gallon

Scope: 1.5 oz. cost $.99=$84.48 per gallon

and this is the real kicker!

Evian water: 9 oz. $1.49=$21.19 per gallon?!

$21.19 per gallon for WATER--and the buyers don't even know the source.

So the next time we are at the pump, we should be thankful that out vehicles don't run on water, scope, or whiteout or heaven forbid, pepto bismal or nyquil.

Just a little humor to help ease the pain of your next trip to the pump:)

P.S. Spell Evian backwards. (thought that was interesting)

Dreams

I have always had strange dreams. Some have seemed so real that I really had to stop and analyze and determine if they were really real or not. Since so many of them have been strange I have been fascinated with trying to decipher there meanings. There are so many theories out there as to what they can possibly mean. In the Bible times, dreams were seen as prophecies. I wonder how often God still tries to talk to us through our dreams! I know he doesn't communicate to us the same we he did to them, I mean who can honestly say God spoke to them through a burning bush, or something of that sort? NO ONE! And if so, what about bad dreams, is that God warning us, or is that Satan playing with our heads to scare us or is it merrily just our sub-conscience just acting out our deepest fears and emotions about things? Who knows? Many researchers have the belief that the dreams are just a way of revisiting the events and emotions we enconter throughout the day. We can not possibly have the energy or ability to keep up with everything that is thrown at us through the day and so at night in our dreams we rehash the thoughts that were put on hold throughout the day. There is so much symbolism in dreams, different colors mean different things and so on. I am fascinated by them and always try to figure out why I dreamed what I did and what they mean. The worst ones are when it is something that really makes you angry in the dream and then you wake and it seemed to real and you are still ticked off, and you have to concentrate on calming down and its like "why am I so mad, it was only a dream" or like the other night I dreamed someone was holding a gun to my head and I woke up shaking and sweating, I was totally freaking out. Had to wake up my husband and tell him to turn on the light so I could see to go to the bathroom, then I felt so silly because it obviously wan't real and there was no burgler in our house (thank goodness) and I was safe. Why did that dream occur? I mean, it's just crazy. Am I the only one that goes through this or is this normal? Anyone? Any advice?

ramblings

Has been a while since I last wrote anything so I figured since I had a spare moment I would write. Went to the Dr. last Tuesday, she said I'm gonna have an active baby. Makes sense, gonna be just like his/her dad. I lost weight too, which also makes sense because I hardly eat anything anymore. Usually 1 meal per day and I'm good. May have a small snack or something, but that is really about all. She scheduled my ultrasound for the 28th. Can't wait! Am hoping and praying that I can find out what we are having. I am really wanting a boy, then a girl. I always wanted a big brother, so I am hoping someday I can have a daughter that has a big brother. But I will take whatever God gives me, just as long as it is a healthy one. Went and ate at Texas Roudhouse on Sunday with hubbys family. Was kind of cool because his Grandpa paid, food was delicious. I didn't eat much, though. Pretty much just the bacon cheese fries. Real healthy I know. But what do you do when that is the only thing that sounds good. Otherwise the week has been pretty much non-eventful. (Is that a a word?) The usual routine of work, work, work. (Fun, Fun), Hubby has made several trips for truck parts this week, (couple hour round trips has been getting old for him) we are gonna go again on Friday and he was gonna leave at 7:30 again like he has been, but he wants to take my car and I have a meeting at work at 8:00 so he is gonna wait and go in the afternoon. Said if I go with him he'll take me out for supper (he mentioned Olive Garden which is my favorite restaurant). He is so sweet, he doesn't like to eat there at all, but a couple times a year he will surprise me and take me there. He might take me to Babys R us too, so we can go Baby shopping too. Yeah. I think it will be worth the trip. It will be nice to spend time with him, haven't seen him much this week. I really miss him when I don't see him much. I love being with him. Will be glad when this is all over! Well, gonna sign off for now, will write more later.

weekend

why does the weekend go so fast? It's crazy! Why can't a Monday go as fast as a Saturday or Sunday? It is so frustrating! This weekend has been a busy one. Friday I had running around to do during the day and then hubby and I went and had supper with his parents. Then on Saturday, hubby was in an accident. VERY SCARY! Wrecked his truck, the new one, only has around 16,000 miles on it. Thankfully no-one was hurt and the truck had minimal damage. Only have to replace part of the front end, and for some crazy reason the airbags didn't go off, (which is a good thing, I hear insurance companies tend to get a little bent out of shape about that) so definitely not as bad as it could have been. Still not able to drive the truck does put things in a little bind. Will be able to pay for our deductable once we get the tax check. Don't have the money now due to paying off the vet bill from the dog. He does have the old beater (that is what we call his wood hauling truck) but, with it being such a gas guzzler, he won't being driving it much more than to work and back. He is very upset about it, hasn't had an accident since he hit a deer about 8-9 years ago. Told him not to worry, that isn't a bad record at all. But I understand his frustration! I wrecked a 2 year old car 2 years ago (still had the factory warranty and everything), and totaled it. That was so frustting. I slid on ice and hit a utility pole. Nobodys fault, just one of those things. Told hubby we shouldn't buy anymore brand new vehicles, seem to have better luck with the used ones, never wreck those. Have only ever had 2 brand new ones and have wrecked both of them now. But both accidents have been just that...just accidents, just one of those things. Too bad the insurance companies don't see it that way. i think they should only raise your rates if you did something on purpose or something just plain stupid like drink and drive or something, but they should leave the rates alone if is just an accident, but of course they won't. Doesn't seem fair, but of course life isn't fair. Just the way it goes. Today of course we went to church this Am, then we went out to dinner with a couple from church. They have 2 boys one is 3yrs. and one is 4 months old. So cute! We had a good time, ended up just staying at the restaurant and visiting for over 2 hours. Then we went and saw my neice for a while, and are now home in time for hubby to watch the superbowl. (Oh boy) My opinion is the steelers will win even though I don't want them too. Was really wanting the Colts to go all the way, was gonna have a big super-bowl party if they were going, but oh well, didn't have to make my house shine this way (lol). Well, gonna sign off for now. Have a great day!

whole lot of nothing

Today I am going to just post random thoughts. So, has been a while since I last wrote. When I started this I wasn't sure how good I would be at keeping up with this. Guess I am finding out. Anywho, today was a long day. I worked a 11-1/2 hour day at the vet clinic. Although I do this almost every Thursday, today the clock just didn't seem to want to move. I hate days like that, especially long days! Seemed to have a lot of sick dogs and cats. Ran several blood panels. And then the last one of the day was a mean German Shepard, never did get his nails trimmed, only vaccinations got done, and even then, not real sure how. Dog was CRAZY! Out for blood! Those kind just tick me off, we don't get them often, but when we do..., oh yeah, Just a quick note, (speaking of dogs), my dog that I told ya was sick seems to be doing a lot better. She is finally up to full feed and the other day went and layed in her chair in my husbands workshop. (He has an old recliner that she loved to lay in before she got sick). I am so excited. Speaking of sick, seems there is something going around and lots of people around me have been sick, my mom has been sick and a girl I worked with today was feeling sick by this afternoon, plus others I know. Sure hope I don't catch it. Just have started feeling better lately from the pregnancy. Don't need to complicate things now. Hope everyone else is starting to feel better soon! January was a busy month! seemed to be filled with parties. Had a Tupperware and Home Interiors Bridal Shower for my husbands sister who is getting married in March, and had a Tastefully simple party, that was fun, had never been to one before, was probably one of the funnest home parties I have ever been too. My friend is starting to sell it and this was her kick off party. Would rec. going to it if you ever get the chance. And a friend from Church had a Pampered chef party. Learned a delicious new recipe for a veggie pizaa. Was exciting. I love pizza, and I like to try new recipes. February should be a little calmer (for now, as you well know that can change in an instant), but March will be an absolute whirlwind. Will go so fast! Well, I am probably boring you now, so I will sign off and write more later. Thanks for visiting.

home

my dog Penny finally was able to come back home. You see last Monday, she was having a hard time getting around (she is only 5--we think, she was a rescue dog) my husband and I did rescue work for a few years and she was one of our fosters and my husband really liked her, so we decided to keep her. She is an American Staffordshire Terrier. Very sweet temperment. Anyways, she got sick last Monday and we took her to the vet and he ran some bloodwork and discovered she was in kidney failure, caused by some sort of nasty infedtion, the only thing I know she has gotten into recently was killing a raccoon. There is nothing else it could possibly be! Hubby and I went to visit her every sinlge day and would spend at least one hour with her so she knew we hadn't abandoned her. She was hospitalized on IV fluids with bloodwork and injections every day. We were really concerned of losing her! There were a few days the vet was giving us almost no hope. Well, at the end of the week we finally got the answered prayer and she was able to come home. She is doing okay, don't think we are completely out of the woods yet, but are definitely better off then we were. It is amazing how quickly the animals become part of your family. I always said I would never spend a ton of money on an animal and look at me now. Stuck with a big bill, and having to buy the expensive special kidney diet for the rest of her life. Moral of the story, never say "I would never do that" because chances are when the situation presents itself, you actually will. At least that is how it seems to work for me.

about me

Hello and thanks for visiting. I am going to just write a little bit about me. I grew up on a farm close to where I live now, lived in the same house all my life and went to the same school as always. We had beef cows, chickens, sheep, rabbits, cats and a dog. Spent a lot of time helping with morning and evening chores and all the other things farm kids do. I loved living in the country! Also, went to the same church all my life. was vey active in my youth group when I was old enough. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. Graduated in 1998. Went to vocational school for business classes for 1 year and liked it, but always felt I wouldn't be happy for the rest of my life behind a desk in an office. My heart was in veterinary medicine (where I had started working as kennel help at the age of 15). So I decided to pursue that dream. Was considering moving to Wisconsin to work in a major lab where my Aunt worked and she had even offered to let me live with her and my uncle. The trouble was, I was dating a guy who did not want me to leave for college, let alone the state. He kept talking about marriage and how he didn't want to lose me. So, I stayed. Well, his dream in life was to travel with the professional circus. Trouble was, I only spent time with the circus crowd to please him, I had no interest. Well, to make a long story short, we finally realized that though we still loved each other a great deal, there was no way that with our dreams in different directions we could survive a future together and decided to part ways. By this time in my life I was out of school, established in a full time vet assistant job and loving it, but my heart was broken. I also felt was too late in going to school. So I stayed on working and living with my parents, but had no interest in dating anymore. I went out a few times, but none were right for me. Then my sister found a good guy who only wanted to talk about his best friend and how great he would be for me. Trouble was, he had a serious girlfriend. Told me she was "the one" but the more we were together, the more he was flirting with me and would show up at my sister and now brother-in-laws when I was there. Well this went on for a long time. Then we kind started spending a lot of alone time together and finally he broke up with "her" and we started dating. A year later we were engaged and 7 months later were married. He is a wonderful husband who takes really good care of me and I really do love him so much. Goes to show that Your first love isn't always your destiny. We certainly have had our ups and downs, but the good out-weighs the bad. We bought an old farm house(before we were married) that was horrible when we bought it. My husband didn't live in it for over a month because he had gutted several of the rooms. We have spent so much time and energy re-doing this house and make it a nice place to live. My husband has done most of the work himself. He is so talented. There is not 1 room in the house that is the same. We even completely tore off the roof and added a full upstairs. The house has doubled in size and we have added an attached garage. We even added a huge deck off the office with a swimming pool. We have a lot of pool parties and get togethers in the summertime. We enjoy it. We have been married for 4-1/2 years now and in November we found out we are expecting our first child. We are thrilled! I will be quitting my vet assistant job (yes I am still there) in June. And in August will be having the baby and being a stay at home mom. I am excited. My sister has a baby that turned 1 in November and I know the cousins will get to spend a lot of time together. This will be the first grandchild on my husbands side and the second on my side. WILL BE SPOILED!! We have 2 dogs and 2 cats that are like our kids now. We did rescue work for a while and ended up keeping some of our fosters. Oh well, at least they are in a good home now for sure. It doesn't take long for a pet to warm your heart and become part of the family. Especially when you know of a horrible background that they have come from. In general an animal only wants to give love and be loved in return. Don't know how people can be so cruel to them! Well I am gonna sign off for now. Will write more later.

new

hi! I am new to this. Am doing it just for fun! Will write more later!