~~The longest hour of my life!!~~

Out to kill me... This week Lynda thought it would be fun to take me to the gym, at first I thought OK this would be fun, but, by the 3 day, the fun was gone. And I knew she was out to kill me when she said 'let's go to STEP' class. It was a REALLY LONG hour, and after 20 mins. she is telling me that she is ready to leave. I was like 'what, this is your idea to kill me'. So, we stayed. Even though, I am complaining, it felt very good to work out. Can't wait to see how many times we go next week. OK, have to add one more thing.. I did not spend much time working out, maybe up to an 1/2 hour [and that maybe pushing it], but, I was happy w/myself.

~~Just have to Brag alittle..~~

Just need to let you know that I'm very proud of my children!! Quentin had his pinewood derby race on Sat. and came in 3rd place. Plus, his car got best in show. The kids are the ones who pick out which car they think is the best looking, well, there was a tie. Q tied w/one that looked like a bathtub. It was also, cool looking. But, the kids picked Q's car to win. [they had to vote again ] In the 3 years of going to these pinewood derby races, this is the first time that Q walked out w/his hands full. He got two trophies, and a ribbon. =-) He was very proud of himself, and he should be!! By the way, his car was a pink eraser, w/Darth Vader driving it. ---all of which was his idea.
Now to talk about Skyler, yesterday I got an e-mail from her Girl Scout leader, saying how Skyler sold the most cookies in her troop!!! She sold 215, which she really worked really hard to sell, that little girl was out there selling right away. I am just hoping that she is just as excited when it comes time to delivery all of them. =-) Thanks to all who bought from her. She was working up to a certain amount, so she could get 'cookie dough' to put towards camping in the summer. p.s. Cookies come in Feb.

Sick of this stuff

Q was sick last week, Skyler was sick Sunday, and I got sick last night. Now, Scott is saying that he is not feeling good. I'm going to run away from home. Can't wait till spring when all the windows can be opened!!

This is so exciting!!

After years of having fish tanks, this is the first time that we have ever seen babies!! There are 5 African Cichilids babies. It was so exciting to find them. Now we just have to figure out who the parents are.. There are only 3 big fish in the tank, and now 5 babies. It's almost like we are Grandparents. LOL p.s. The tank up above, is Q's tank. But, you get the idea of fish..

This is so sweet

I got an e-mail from a friend saying that she had read my blog, and when she saw the picture of Spunky she got tears in her eyes! Saying that Spunky was her 'hero'. That is so sweet!!

~~Q~

Today Quentin has decided to stay home w/me today. This about the third day that he has been sick, but, today is much better then the other days.. He is actually up playing computer, and playing his game cube. So, this is a good sign. Q has even taught me how to play chess, of course, do not ask me how to play. =-) He has been very patience w/me and has let me as the same questions repeat a few times. If anyone wants to know how to play it, I know someone who can teach you.
Oh, one more thing... For those who would like to know, losing your power when it's cold out really SUCKS!! We lost it for 12 hours, and I was wearing lots of layers, because, I do not like to freeze. I know we did not have it that bad, my friend had lost her power in Dec. for longer then we did. So, I should not complain.

Pictures.

This is Simon..
This is Spunky..

~~~Life goes on~~~

Well, last week was a year since we had to put down a wonderful dog, Spunky. Man, so many things to remember about him. To start off w/he could run so fast!!! I have never seen a dog in his day run like he did. Spunky was also a great protector, he would stop any fight. His favorite girl was Jenny, man, those too 'loved' each other. Spunk's best mate was Peaches though, he was the best thing for her. He knew how to get Peaches up and playing. After Peaches came Ginger, and those turned out to be good friends. Spunky ended up getting cancer at the age of 13, but, he had a wonderful life.. Who ever left this little thing in the pound back in IN, lost out in the GREAT DOG!! I do have to say that Spunky lived up to his name, I remember a funny story of when he was little, we came home to see that it had 'snowed' in our home. Well it was not snow, LOL, it was cornstarch. Even though, we were mad at the time, we have laughed about it many times since.
Ok, and for those who know me, will understand when I say that w/in 3 days after Spunky pasted away, we got a new dog. His name is Simon. I thought for sure Ginger would be so happy to see this 70 pound dog come into her life, but, that really wasn't the case once he got here. Simon as it turnes out, is the annoying little brother, who just does not stop bugging her!! I'm sure if she could talk, I would not know what she wanted to say!!!!!!!!!! =-) Again, we got him from PAWS, and he is a great dog too. Of course, he is not like Spunky, Peaches, or any of the other animals we have had. He is his own dog.

It's a new year!!

Cannot believe it's a new year, where did 2006 go? Well for me, I made it through the holiday season w/out missing a day of work, and what happens on Jan. 2ND? Well, I end up w/the flu!!!! Man, it's not fun! The worst part lasted for a good 24 hours, now I'm starting to mead. Quentin and Skyler went back to school, of course, they were not thrilled this am. But, it's good for them to be back, as for they get bored. We had a wonderful holiday season, got most of my Christmas cards out. =-) Scott also, had the whole time off too. Which he spend in working w/all his woodworking tools. [need to get a picture of this] =-)

~~It's been awhile~~

It's been awhile since I have been on here. It's hard to believe that Christmas is less then a week away. Christmas shopping is almost over, just a few more gifts to get. W/talking to my sister tonight, it sounds like the weather might not be good for her to travel in. =-( Traveling is not always the fun part of the holidays. I am so looking forward to seeing all the family. I'm not sure why, but, my mother told me that I could not bring Simon w/me. So, he will have to stay w/a friend. [Hope this is going to be cheaper then last trip] The kids get out tomorrow at 1:45pm, so they are excited!! Scott stayed home today w/a cold. I was late to work [about 20 min] because, someone walked past w/a boxer puppy. I had good thoughts of leaving on time, but, it was hard to leave this little thing. She was so CUTE!!!!!!!! And no, I do not want a puppy. My boss did tell me that next time I'm going to be late, that I should call before I am heading to work, already late. =-) Somethings could not be helped, and not when it comes to a puppy, I guess my love for animals comes first over my work. =-} If I do not get on here before Christmas, I wish everyone a Happy Holidays!!

Can not believe this dog!

Last weekend, we asked our neighbors if they would not mind watching our dogs, we went to have Christmas w/Scott's dad. Being the sweet people they are, said 'sure'. Well, our 'free' babysitting weekend turned out to cost us money! Kelly got home, to find Simon w/a remote in his mouth. Not only was it in his mouth, but, it was chewed, and there were no pieces to be found. Needless to say that their TV remote does not work any more. I have heard from a few people that a remote could cost anywhere from $10.00--to $200.00. Well, we found out tonight that it will cost us $53.00. I just can not believe this dog!!! I can understand now why his other owners got rid of him, they said that he was too expensive.

P.S. I have asked each child if Simon was their dog, and of course, no one would claim him. =-)

New Recipe

OK, since I am not much of a baker, I found this recipe, and it was great!! Even Scott liked it. It's called Holiday peppermint bark. And all it is, is two ingredients, it was gone in a matter of a day in 1/2. [maybe, some of that had to do w/the fact that we were stuck at home.] ---plowing problems.

Go to this web site and check it out, www.verybestbaking.com Under recipes, go to the kids part. Yes, I know ---the kids recipe.. LOL.. Anyway, let me know what you think..

Get this

Get this, I called into work today, saying that I could not get there. For some odd reason, they did not plow our street. --maybe, we did not pay our taxes, LOL... =-) Our street had 13 inches of snow, and I know this because, we took a ruler out to measure it. OK, now I told my boss that I could not get to work, but, if I could---I would go in. So, what does he tell me??? YES, that he would pick me up. I could not believe it, he picked me up! I even got a ride home. Next time I am going to keep my mouth shut . =-) If you want to know if we were busy at my work, YES! I swear everyone was out! Boots, snow pants plus anything that was warm, was bought today. The biggest talk was how long they're drive was.

~~Let it SNOW~~~

OK, so I got my SNOW!! It's so exciting!! I went out to help Scott shovel, and wound up w/the littlest shovel. Needless to say that did not go for too long, went to talk to some neighbors, then headed inside. But, Scott on the other hand stayed outside for about 6 hours shoveling, not only his driveway, but, some others. A snow blower was used for most of it. A great friend spend time over here to help too. [Scott then helped w/his driveway]. It is in the 20's, and I'm not sure of the wind chill. Either way, it's cold out. The dogs and kids had a blast playing outside. Simon has kind of played non-stop and when he does come in, one would think he would sleep---but, this is Simon we are talking about. Last week he spend 5 of 7 days taking a bath, Tues. being the last day for a bath. [Always wondered why we had such a big bathroom]. If you would like to see pictures, check out Life rushes by, site. She is so good about putting pictures up. OK, need to check on Q and Simon.. Ginger was out playing in the snow, but, has been sleeping on the couch since she came in [a few hours ago]

Light parade

Since it was in the 60's on Sat. Scott and I decided it would be a great night to see the festival of lights, in East Peoria. I'm thinking everyone had the same idea. =-) It was really busy, but, the kids found a place to stand so they could see everything. The night was great, and at the end, we saw fireworks. [as we were walking to the car] One sad thing I do have to say is, it's amazing how many people are unable to clean up after them selves.

Getting the Tree ready!

Over the weekend, we got our house ready for Christmas. Scott worked on the lights outside, [no picture of that] while Nancy, I and the kids got the tree ready in here. The sweetest thing about this was when Q found an ornament that had Spunky's name on it. He put it in the front of the tree.

AZ pictures

Here are some pictures that Scott took while on his trip to AZ. Besides work, he did not do much more. So, most of the pictures are taken from the car, or hotel. But, it's nice to see the what the outdoors are like there. Also, the pictures of the houses look nice too..

Day after Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to let you know that I survived the day after Thanksgiving. Got to work at 4:45AM [before that time really], and at 5am we were letting people in. Let me tell you, that people were kind of running to get the things that they wanted. The day went by really fast, and people were really great!! Only saw one person I knew there shopping, not sure what she was thinking about to go shopping at 5:45 am.. =-) My family came to rescue me right after work, and took me out for a late lunch. I was ready for bed right after eating. I'm not use to working so early. Ok, this picture was taken in AZ, Scott thought of me when he was down there. How sweet huh??

1 more thing

Just wanted to say a Happy Birthday to two people tomorrow. One of those people are going to be really OLD!! Man, 30 years old, can't believe that. =-0