Yes, the winter blast has hit ICT. I had no idea it was going to snow. I knew the forcast called for freezing temps but I really didn't know it would snow. This throws a kink in my plans, of course. I had planned on driving to Oklahoma to help my friend pick up some bedroom furniture. Hmm. We will have to see how the roads are later in the afternoon now before I commit to the trip.
I found he rings I want Mike to buy. He had looked around and eventualy deciced he didn't know what I wanted so asked me to go look. Well, I have looked and looked. It is worse then shopping around for a car I think. It took a while but I found something in our price range that struck my fancy. We go Monday to buy them. You know what that means? Soon after we get those we are running off to the court house to get hitched. Then I get to have yet another alias in my long list of AKA's. We decided to get married before Reno so we can spend our time in Reno (when he is not working) playing not running around looking for a place to get married.
Kaitlin and T.J. got on the honor roll again. I think middle school is starting to sink into their brains. I do think kids have to ge used to the transition and it took KK longer then most.
We got the hot tub on the deck now. The next thing is to get an electrical box installed so we can plug the thing in. Slowly but surely we are getting that project beat back.
I have the next 4 days off and I plan on spending most of it in my pj's. I am going to go rent chick flicks and drink pop and live the life of Riley. I was going to paint the living room but thought better of it. There will be plenty of other long weekends that I will feel more motivatied, this one is just not it. The biggest reason? My feet hurt so bad from work, I want to recoup before I have to go back. Damn those heel spurs anyway. Starting March 1st I will have a sitdown job at work so that should help somewhat. So until then, the painting will have to wait.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Glad it is over.
Well, the holidays are officialy over. Today the tree comes down. I don't even know where to start. Christmas Eve the kids and I loaded up the truck and drove to Hutchinson to see their Dad's side of the family. As always the kids seriously out number all the attending adults. It is so much fun to see how big all the children have gotten over the span of a year. Naturaly I made a pig of myself on Karen's sugar cookies. They are the best in the world. She claims to do nothing different then anyone else but I and I alone know the secret. She puts love into it. Yep, Mike maintains that is the key ingrediant to all good food. He says that is why his cooking is so tasty. I concur. A year without her sugar cookies would be like a year without Santa Clause. Thank you Karen!
We had the traditional Whit Elephant gift exchange. That is the most fun I think. Lucky me, I got a turkey beenie baby. Woo Hoo. How funny, for real. somone else got a nicely wrapped deposit slip. Lol. Now, that was creative and funny! The "Real" gift exchange is nice, but the White Elephant is what I look forward to every year. I wish you could hear all the voices and laughter going on during the exchange. It does the heart good to hear all your family at once and have to sit elbows to elbows. It makes you realize just what really is important.
The next morning, we got up early and made breakfast burritos and took them to my Mom. We spent several hours entertaining her. I always worry this will be my last holiday with my Mom. Her health is poor, but she keeps plugging along somehow.
By the time we got back to the house Mike's kids and their kids showed up for breakfast. More burritos. It was really nice to have all the grandkids there at once. If you had told me 3 years ago I would be Grandma to 7 kids I would have fainted right there. I really love those kids. JoJo especially liked her gift. Well, Stacey liked the hoodie we got her also. So, it was a very nice time with the kids.
When the Willm's cleared out we once again loaded up the pickup, but this time we headed to Medicine Lodge to see Pop's. I truly enjoy my time in Medicine. Pop's is a wonderful host and I get so relaxed every visit. That night several of his cousins came by to visit and eat finger foods. Once again, what a nice time. The food was awsome, the company was super, and we all felt very cozy and happy.
The next day, which would be the day after Christmas, Justin and Stacey and Nox came to share Christmas Dinner with us. Wow! We had prime rib, sprial cut ham and all the fixins. Dan is a superb cook, I know wher Mike gets his talent from that is for sure. Stacey had never met Dan so it was fun to watch them get to know eachother. At one point Stacey looks at Dan and says "So Dan, tell me, how old was Mike when you figured out he had Down's Syndrome"? Oh my stars, we all fell out howling with laughter.
The four of us then went to visit several different family friends and introduce Stacey to them. If you have never been to the sticks, you have to understand, they have nothing to do. consequently, they drink, and they drink a lot. Every place we went we were given Wild Turkey 101. We were buzzing by the time we arrived back at Dan's house. Well, Dan decides to break out the Christmas Cheer as well and got the homemade wine out. Oh, oh, oh. I was really fine until this point. You always hear about how the last drink "sent you over the edge". This didn't send me over, it picked me up and threw me over the edge.
We made it back home Sunday afternoon. Up to this point I had had one of the best holidays ever. Then comes New Years. Now, you have to understand, I had to work New Years so I got up at 5 in the morning. O.k. I went to bed at 5 in the morning as well. I will never drink again. We had several friends over and we grilled t-bone steaks on the grill. It was so much fun. One thing is for sure, Mike and I have so much fun together. So, now we look forward to the next year together. We are both very excited about our impending nuputals and the prospect of just being together. I really couldn't ask for a better life. So, Cheers to all of you! Happy New Year.
We had the traditional Whit Elephant gift exchange. That is the most fun I think. Lucky me, I got a turkey beenie baby. Woo Hoo. How funny, for real. somone else got a nicely wrapped deposit slip. Lol. Now, that was creative and funny! The "Real" gift exchange is nice, but the White Elephant is what I look forward to every year. I wish you could hear all the voices and laughter going on during the exchange. It does the heart good to hear all your family at once and have to sit elbows to elbows. It makes you realize just what really is important.
The next morning, we got up early and made breakfast burritos and took them to my Mom. We spent several hours entertaining her. I always worry this will be my last holiday with my Mom. Her health is poor, but she keeps plugging along somehow.
By the time we got back to the house Mike's kids and their kids showed up for breakfast. More burritos. It was really nice to have all the grandkids there at once. If you had told me 3 years ago I would be Grandma to 7 kids I would have fainted right there. I really love those kids. JoJo especially liked her gift. Well, Stacey liked the hoodie we got her also. So, it was a very nice time with the kids.
When the Willm's cleared out we once again loaded up the pickup, but this time we headed to Medicine Lodge to see Pop's. I truly enjoy my time in Medicine. Pop's is a wonderful host and I get so relaxed every visit. That night several of his cousins came by to visit and eat finger foods. Once again, what a nice time. The food was awsome, the company was super, and we all felt very cozy and happy.
The next day, which would be the day after Christmas, Justin and Stacey and Nox came to share Christmas Dinner with us. Wow! We had prime rib, sprial cut ham and all the fixins. Dan is a superb cook, I know wher Mike gets his talent from that is for sure. Stacey had never met Dan so it was fun to watch them get to know eachother. At one point Stacey looks at Dan and says "So Dan, tell me, how old was Mike when you figured out he had Down's Syndrome"? Oh my stars, we all fell out howling with laughter.
The four of us then went to visit several different family friends and introduce Stacey to them. If you have never been to the sticks, you have to understand, they have nothing to do. consequently, they drink, and they drink a lot. Every place we went we were given Wild Turkey 101. We were buzzing by the time we arrived back at Dan's house. Well, Dan decides to break out the Christmas Cheer as well and got the homemade wine out. Oh, oh, oh. I was really fine until this point. You always hear about how the last drink "sent you over the edge". This didn't send me over, it picked me up and threw me over the edge.
We made it back home Sunday afternoon. Up to this point I had had one of the best holidays ever. Then comes New Years. Now, you have to understand, I had to work New Years so I got up at 5 in the morning. O.k. I went to bed at 5 in the morning as well. I will never drink again. We had several friends over and we grilled t-bone steaks on the grill. It was so much fun. One thing is for sure, Mike and I have so much fun together. So, now we look forward to the next year together. We are both very excited about our impending nuputals and the prospect of just being together. I really couldn't ask for a better life. So, Cheers to all of you! Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
I am as giddy as a little kid. I didn't get to go to Christmas Eve at my in-law's last year because I was sick. Most of Tom's family I only see at this get together so I really missed out on quite a bit. We had a new baby born that I didn't even know about until the gift exchange list came out and I had the new baby's name to buy for. My nephew moved back home with Mom to get a leg up on finances, and a neice moved back here from Kansas City. I wasn't clear that she was even in Kansas City to begin with. Wow. I am an awful relative. I don't keep up with Tom's family the way I should. I do check out my neice and nephew's myspace so I sort of know what is going on with them, as for the rest, I am totaly ignorant of their lives. I don't feel as guilty as you might think. My Tom didn't really keep up with his family either. When he did, he didn't relay any information on to me, so I was ignorant when he was alive also.
To be sure, I enjoy all of them. I have been blessed with wonderful in-laws and wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise. Many of the young girls are so interesting and fun to talk to. When I am driving home I always think "Wow, why don't I talk to them more" because I have so much fun conversing with them all. So the blame lies withen me, I admit it. I don't call and don't visit with them like I should.
The point to all this is, in a very few hours we will be heading out the door to make the drive to Hutch to see them all, and I do mean all. My Mother-in-law doesn't ask for anyone to visit her except on Christmas Eve. To miss that is the quickest way to be excomunicated from the family. I have only missed twice, once because I was recovering from a major surgery and last year, I was puking up my guts. I do anticipate the visit, however I hate the drive. Ever since Tom died I have a hard time making the drive. I usualy cry all the way there and all the way back. The first year was the worst. I missed his presence so much it made me ill. Even though I an engaged to the most wonderful guy in the world that loves me beyond measure, I miss Tom. I am sure that will never go away, it has gotten easier, but won't leave me. Until you loose your spouse you won't understand. It is not like divorce where you severe the relationship, then move on. The relationship was not broken, or discarded, it was taken away entirely. Even though you move on, a part of you stays anchored in the past, unable to move away. Your love for the person doesn't leave you.
On a happier note, I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. I wish you lots of fa la la la la's and much mistletoeing. I hope you swoon from the scent of fudge and peppermint. I hope you eat so much chex mix your lips feel shriveled up from all the salt in it. I hope that one crazy relative gets on your last nerve and it is enough to last you until next year. I hope your livingroom floor is a mess Christmas morning and your trash can is overflowing until the trash men show up and save you. I hope you remember to read Luke second chapter and revel in the awsomness of Christ's love for us. Merry Christmas loved ones, AW
To be sure, I enjoy all of them. I have been blessed with wonderful in-laws and wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise. Many of the young girls are so interesting and fun to talk to. When I am driving home I always think "Wow, why don't I talk to them more" because I have so much fun conversing with them all. So the blame lies withen me, I admit it. I don't call and don't visit with them like I should.
The point to all this is, in a very few hours we will be heading out the door to make the drive to Hutch to see them all, and I do mean all. My Mother-in-law doesn't ask for anyone to visit her except on Christmas Eve. To miss that is the quickest way to be excomunicated from the family. I have only missed twice, once because I was recovering from a major surgery and last year, I was puking up my guts. I do anticipate the visit, however I hate the drive. Ever since Tom died I have a hard time making the drive. I usualy cry all the way there and all the way back. The first year was the worst. I missed his presence so much it made me ill. Even though I an engaged to the most wonderful guy in the world that loves me beyond measure, I miss Tom. I am sure that will never go away, it has gotten easier, but won't leave me. Until you loose your spouse you won't understand. It is not like divorce where you severe the relationship, then move on. The relationship was not broken, or discarded, it was taken away entirely. Even though you move on, a part of you stays anchored in the past, unable to move away. Your love for the person doesn't leave you.
On a happier note, I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. I wish you lots of fa la la la la's and much mistletoeing. I hope you swoon from the scent of fudge and peppermint. I hope you eat so much chex mix your lips feel shriveled up from all the salt in it. I hope that one crazy relative gets on your last nerve and it is enough to last you until next year. I hope your livingroom floor is a mess Christmas morning and your trash can is overflowing until the trash men show up and save you. I hope you remember to read Luke second chapter and revel in the awsomness of Christ's love for us. Merry Christmas loved ones, AW
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Ahh, the smells of Christmas.
One thing is for sure, I don't need any stupid candle that smells like baked cookies to make my house smell good. I have started making Christmas treats. So far I have made Chex Party Mix, Oyster Crackers with dry Hidden Valley and dill spice, and 18 pounds of fudge. I still have the Puppy Chow and Chocolate Covered Pretzels yet to go.
The kids decided to get into the mix yesterday and dug out my 1001 Cookie Reciepe cook book. Kaitlin and T.J. decided to make gingerbread and butter balls. While we were at Wal-Mart getting the gifts for the Keazer gift exchange we picked up the items we needed to bake those cookies. They got the butter balls done, sort of. I didn't help them a bit. This was their first solo project baking. You know, they can't do anything without fighting. The butter balls are a little on the dry side and some don't really resemble balls, but they are so proud of their efforts. They took some next door to Anthony and Alyssa. Alyssa said "They taste like biscuts with powderd sugar". I explained the difference between baking and cooking. Not all cooks bake and not all bakers cook. I also told them they will never get good at it if they never try it. So, today they will tackle the gingerbread. We aren't making men, just cookies. I didn't have the cash for all the decorations and I don't own a cookie cutter. I made this executive decision after doing quick math in my head and realizing I am broke from Christmas shopping. I can't wait to see the kitchen after this adventure. However, I impressed upon them the need to clean the kitchen as though they had never entered it in the first place, and they did.
As for me, today, I will finish my treats up and start the labor of wrapping presents. This year T.J and I decided to do the "themed tree" and went with all silver and white for decorations. It looks great. I decided to do the same with the wrapping paper, silver and blue, even the shirt boxes. I think some of Auntie Karen has rubbed off on me. Anyone who has ever seen her packages knows what I am talking about. You would almost rather NOT open them so you don't spoil the wrap job. She makes them look so beutiful. Mine won't look that good I am sure but I will at least make an effort, and they will all match under the tree, this year. I may grow tired of matching things and go back ecclectic which is my true nature I think.
The kids decided to get into the mix yesterday and dug out my 1001 Cookie Reciepe cook book. Kaitlin and T.J. decided to make gingerbread and butter balls. While we were at Wal-Mart getting the gifts for the Keazer gift exchange we picked up the items we needed to bake those cookies. They got the butter balls done, sort of. I didn't help them a bit. This was their first solo project baking. You know, they can't do anything without fighting. The butter balls are a little on the dry side and some don't really resemble balls, but they are so proud of their efforts. They took some next door to Anthony and Alyssa. Alyssa said "They taste like biscuts with powderd sugar". I explained the difference between baking and cooking. Not all cooks bake and not all bakers cook. I also told them they will never get good at it if they never try it. So, today they will tackle the gingerbread. We aren't making men, just cookies. I didn't have the cash for all the decorations and I don't own a cookie cutter. I made this executive decision after doing quick math in my head and realizing I am broke from Christmas shopping. I can't wait to see the kitchen after this adventure. However, I impressed upon them the need to clean the kitchen as though they had never entered it in the first place, and they did.
As for me, today, I will finish my treats up and start the labor of wrapping presents. This year T.J and I decided to do the "themed tree" and went with all silver and white for decorations. It looks great. I decided to do the same with the wrapping paper, silver and blue, even the shirt boxes. I think some of Auntie Karen has rubbed off on me. Anyone who has ever seen her packages knows what I am talking about. You would almost rather NOT open them so you don't spoil the wrap job. She makes them look so beutiful. Mine won't look that good I am sure but I will at least make an effort, and they will all match under the tree, this year. I may grow tired of matching things and go back ecclectic which is my true nature I think.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Vacation!
I am so happy, I am on vacation until the 29th! I hope you like the new pics. I was on my way to Derby going the back way and had to stop and pull over several times. It is begining to look a lot like christmas I think. Nox spent the night last night and I got som cute pics of him.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Getting over Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was great! We went to Medicine and had a grand feast. Mike's dad can really cook. He put on a huge spread all by himself. He is such a good cook. He made everything that you would want at a Thanksgiving feast. T.J. had been sick days prior to the holiday so we were worried we may not make it. Then Mike came down with a terrible cold. He took cold medicine and away we went. He is still feeling bad today. I didn't get very many pics, I did however, take several videos, one of which I posted on myspace. I don't know how to do it on the blogspot or I would. The blogspot is harder to use then myspace and doesn't have as many cool features. Anyway, we had a wonderful holiday. I hope you all did also. I am looking forward to Christmas. I got the house ready tonight so we can put the tree up tomorrow. I will try to get some pics and not just videos!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The day after.
Last night was Justin's big event the Downtown Throwdown II. Wow, was it great. It seemed to me that there was more in attendance then the last one. The show went off without a hitch and they raised $3500 for Jo-Jo to help her get to China for her surgery. Wow! We got a new boxing commissioner here in Kansas so Mike was able to work the event. He officitated half of the event. he did a great job as usual. I am so proud of him! I had what in retrospect was too much fun. I woke up with a horrible headache and upset tummy. Hmmm. Anyway, I did get my spiffy new videocam to work! I was able to download to my computer all the footage I took and somehow I will figure out how to post it on myspace soon. I am too tired for that nonsense tonight. I love that camera! It is only as big as my cell phone but wow is it wonderful.
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