Weather Men

The other day at the dinner table, Cody said "it would be embarrassing to be a weather man and be wrong about the weather." I thought to myself, "I don't think that they really care." Then Brayden says, "weather men are never wrong." Oh to be so trusting.

Saturday & Sunday were gorgeous days here. Sunday was windy but almost 80. Then Monday night the weather man said that we were going to get 8-10 inches of snow. So Tuesday morning it is barely snowing & they cancel school & that was the end of the snow. We got JUST enough for a light dusting on the ground. Brayden then realized that they ARE wrong at times.

Forecast tonight 2-4 inches of snow.




Sunday we took the kids to the park. Actually to the school playground since we live next to the school. It was great!

My monkey boys.

I realized at the park that I am getting old! This thing that I am standing on bounces up and down. The boys pulled together to bounce me up & down. I started screaming, I thought I was going to die! But look at us all wearing shorts!

A Weekend Behind

I'm behind in my blogging. I'm not quite sure what happened to last week. But last weekend started with Jeremy coming into town for Valentine's Day. But we did not do anything for Valentine's Day until Sunday (I think). The boys & I had Valentine's dinner with cousin Ashley. I have to refer to her as "cousin" because I have "friend" Ashley too.

Anyway, Jeremy and I exchanged cards and candy Valentine's Day. And Saturday we played several games on the Wii. Cody beat us both on bowling. Then the challenge was on & Jeremy was determined to beat him, but I don't think that he ever did.

Sat we went to the chili cookoff in Springfield. It was fun. I just remembered looking at this picture about the biohazard stickers. You can see the sticker on this lady's bum to the right of Jeremy. Some of the behinds that the stickers were stuck to were somewhat hazardous. Men at a booth were sticking these on the women's behinds. A guy walked up to the booth & the guy said "NO DUDES!"

Thank goodness for these little trays because I had a handful!

Monday Jeremy & I fixed my water heater again - I think. It still does not work quite right and we had several problems fixing it. So who knows - besides a plumber which we are not. Then Jeremy's flight got canceled Monday night and he stayed until Tuesday. Then I went to Chicago on Thursday. So it was very nice to see him so much.

The boys had to go to school on Mon & Tues to make up for 3 snow days last week - then they were out on Thur & Friday for more ice!

Weekend Recap

Here is a picture of snowy Chicago from my plane. This is just a weekend recap. The boys have been home all week due to ice here. They will be home tomorrow, Wednesday too. We have ventured out & I had to work today & have to work tomorrow but they have had some time off.

1. Did not get delayed going to Chicago this past weekend.
2. Supposed to leave Chicago Sun on a flight but decided I better try to get home earlier due to weather & thank goodness that I did because my original flight did not get into Springfield until 1:30 AM Monday.
3. Saw Fools Gold – funny but more of a serious plot than I expected. It was longer than I expected too.
4. Spent A LOT of “family” time with Jeremy’s family. Like every day! Not that that is bad just a lot of togetherness.
5. Our goal was not to eat out this weekend & we did not. I ate out for lunch with Jeremy’s sister, but I did not have that rule with her. Jeremy & I agree that we eat out WAY too much.

5 Things

Well I said that I wasn't going to do this but I felt bad so I'm going to give my 5 things that I was tagged for but I am not going tag anyone else.

5 things you don’t know about me:
1. I flunked my driving test the first time
2. I sleep like 8-10 hours a night
3. My dream job would be a buyer of a major department store or activities director for a cruise line.
4. I can do the Soulja Boy but not the Electric Slide
5. I won a hula hoop contest in high school – I hula hooped for like 30 minutes or something like that.

5 places I want to go or go back to – there are a lot more than 5:
1. Disney World – been to Disneyland
2. Hawaii
3. Any where in Europe
4. New York
5. Any where warm, sunny & beachy

And as an added bonus here are 5 things I can’t live without (things not people):
1. My iPhone & Bluetooth headset
2. My digital camera
3. My magic bullet & Lite Muscle Milk
4. Water (literally and that’s my main drink of choice)
5. My yoga mat

Random

First, I must say sorry to my cousin Laura because I'm not going to do her little blogging thing that she tagged me for. I have no one to tag if I did do it. I have been making Amish Friendship Bread for the last month and I realized some people don't want you to "share". But so far I've been able to give away all of my bread starters. I don't know how long I will be able to though. But my bff & I have this thing worked out where I give all of my starters away & one to her & then she gives all away & one to me. So we only have to bake every other time.

Sorry about the bread tangent I just went on, but I have not been really in the blogging mood so I will just update you one what's been going on:

1. I'm back taking classes. I am taking two online through MSSU - history & marketing. I am still working toward my marketing degree. I am also taking one through The American College that does mostly financial classes. This one is for work. So I am basically taking 3 classes. It has really been stressing me out.
2. I turned 30 a couple of weeks ago. We had a party at the bowling alley. It was really fun. Everyone really enjoyed it. This new bowling alley is smoke free so it was good clean family fun.
Jeremy bought me a robe (I requested) and a really cool Coach bracelet. I wanted it but had no idea that he was going to get it for me. Holly & Danton got me a really super cool watch. Lisa got me a Starbuck gift card - LOVE Starbucks. Both sets of parents got me a bracelet - this must have been a bracelet year. My friend Margo got me a gift certificate for Mary Kay. I told everyone not to buy me anything since we were going out & they had to spend money to spend time with me BUT they didn't listen. How dare they!!!
3. I have a “classic” case of Pityriasis Rosea - which is some kind of funky viral rash. It is REALLY ugly & the first dr that I went to freaked my out. She is just a family dr & she treated it first with a steroid for an allergic reaction. It did not go away so she said I needed a biopsy & that it was something more serious like a blood disorder or CANCER!!! Luckily it was neither - "classic" Pityriasis Rosea. The dermatologist said that it usually occurs in the spring & fall but this was the 3rd case in a week that he had seen. Now I am on this medication that is for shingles & maybe it will help & maybe it won't. And this nasty rash all over my upper half will be there for 4 more weeks (I've already had it 4). I am on a SUPER high dosage of steroid. 800 milligrams 5 times a week!
4. I voted yesterday & bonded more with a family member due to our political views.
5. Going to Chicago tomorrow.
6. Had another tornado warning yesterday.
7. Had 2 snow days last week.
8. Spent one snow day with my cousin Ashley & Neviah - it was relaxing & fun.
9. Turned my stuff in for my taxes.
10.Hoping not to get too delayed tomorrow as Chicago seems to be getting non stop snow this winter.

New Car

I got a new car a couple of weeks ago. Not NEW new, but new to me. It is a 2004 Honda CR-V. It only had 34,000 miles on it. I think that I got a pretty good deal on it. I traded in my Toyota that had 92,000 miles on it.

Well, the new car did not bring me any new luck. I got pulled over AGAIN last night. 2nd time in 1 MONTH!!! NOT good. I was not very happy about it. They pulled me over for going 69 in a 60. But I think the main problem was when they ran my plates, the plates came up as a Toyota Highlander. So he asked if I just bought the car. So he let me off with a warning!!! THANK GOODNESS!!!! I definitely said a prayer of thanksgiving, since I have not gone to court yet on my first speeding ticket. A 2nd ticket would have totally killed my driving record. But honestly 9 over is not too bad is it???

Budget 101

"Do today what others won't so tomorrow you'll have what others don't." - Marshfield basketball team.

That can apply to all aspects of life, whether it be athletics, spiritual, or financial. As it relates to your finances, do your part today so you can try to have a secure financial future. Some times that means sacrifices. Like eating out less, less coffee, less movies, less clothes shopping, etc... But where do you cut? Where do you start on a budget. In my opinion, you cannot budget unless you know where your money is going. So start by averaging your last 3 months spending.

House payment
Utilities (break them out if you want)
Insurance
Car payment
Credit card payments
other loans
groceries
gas
food
contributions
cash - spending money
lunch money

You can be as specific or as general as you want. So look at the areas that you spend money and those "extras" - look at spending $25 or more less per month on the "extras". Then put together a future budget.

Once you have a budget put to place we will look at where you put the extra money that you save because if you don't do something else with it, you'll probably spend it.

Cody's Got A Brand New Do

One of those golden picture opportunities for mom.

Finished product and with his longer look, I think the highlights look awesome.

Thank you for coming to Hindoi

Yesterday Aunt Teri & I went to my favorite Japanese steakhouse Hinode. I was sitting on a bench in the entry area waiting for a seat when these ladies passed by to leave and they thanked me on their way out?

Enough said.

Sleep Over!

Apparently Spring temperatures in January also brings Spring storms in January. We had been having 60 degree days and Tuesday night we had severe weather. It seems as though 4 tornadoes hit the Springfield area but technically it was only 3 - 2 were the same tornado. But we had something in the range of 66 warnings in the surrounding area. At my house we had more sirens going off in one day than in a whole week.





The first siren went off at 9:00 PM, after that another went off, I think around 10 PM. So I decided to keep the boys close to the laundry room - our storm shelter.

Holly HATES storms. So she & the boys joined us. She stayed in the playroom with Carter between siren warnings, but close enough to shelter.

I'm really not sleeping or pretending to be sleeping. I happened to look down when Holly took the picture. I think our last siren went off at 3 AM.

Tornadoes don't typically freak me out too bad. But I am realistic about the fact that they move fast and can happen in an instant and can be extremely damaging. But I would never risk the safety of my kids like that. So, I made them stay in the basement close to shelter - JUST IN CASE. We didn't have any damage thank the Good Lord and neither did anyone that I know. But there were 2 fatalities in Springfield.

To resolve or not to resolve...

Although making a New Year’s Resolution seems to be par for the course when bringing in the New Year, there are many that do not believe in making resolutions. Mostly because resolutions are seldom seen to fruition. Unless you are like my cousin Ashley who made a resolution that she was able to fulfill in one day. Anyway, most of the time I make a resolution and I too am unable to keep it up. But I believe in resolutions. I have many theories as to why people don’t stick to them, but I will keep those thoughts to myself. Here is why I believe in resolutions. I think that everyone should constantly be trying to improve themselves in one way or another. The New Year is a good time where people are looking for a fresh start and to be rejuvenated. I believe that unless you set a specific goal for yourself, improving yourself is hard. I think that any amount of effort and success that you make toward your resolution is better than where when you started. If you aren’t at least striving for something than you won’t reach it.

So I have decided on my resolution. It will be to focus more on my business and career. To grow my business in excess of10% from 2007. And to make the Million Dollar Round Table.

Many people resolve to have a better handle on their finances. I have decided that based on my career, I might help educate people on finances through this blog. So I will try at least twice a month to post some financial educational pieces. So I will give my disclaimer now. This is just for educational purposes, the ideas and thoughts are just opinion and meant for educational purposes only. Consult a doctor or professional. Side effects may occur, etc…

Now here are some pictures for your enjoyment.


The boys with my nephew Theoden. He is sooooooooooo SUPER cute with the best personality.
Jeremiah & I at a wedding on New Year's Eve.
Us with Jeremy's parents on New Year's. John & Noreen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Pictures of our New Year's Eve fun will follow. But this is how I started my new year.

New Year's Eve was so pretty because it snowed, snowing these really big fluffy flakes. It snowed all night and into the next day. I was supposed to leave Chicago on 1/1 at 3:56 pm. I was on the phone with my bff Holly at 3:45pm when she asked me when I was supposed to be leaving. I told her the time and that I should have boarded already, when the lady announces that my flight has been canceled. Well the next flight was canceled too. My next flight is to leave at 8:30 am 1/2. So I ask for my luggage back. They won't give it back because it is in some kind of caged lock down & they cannot get it. They inform me that it will be waiting for me in Springfield. Well I explained to them that there is not flight to Springfield - THEY WERE CANCELED. But they told me that they would get there - "maybe on another airline". Yeah right, so I go back to Jeremy's house with no luggage.

1/2 - 8:30 AM - flight delayed - take off finally at 9:15 AM. Get to SGF - no luggage. My luggage shows that it is STILL in CHICAGO!!! Apparently it did NOT make it to SGF before me or WITH me.

11:30 am finally make it to car that is parked at the airport - and car DOES NOT start! Dead battery. And they can't jump it because my car is facing a fence with cars parked to either side of it. So, they have to call a mechanic's shop. The mechanic brings some kind of "jumper box". And it does not work - so he informs me that my battery is REALLY dead & he needs to attach 2 boxes & he'll be back. So at 12:30 pm I finally drive away from the airport!

GOOD TIMES!!

I did not make a resolution this year - but I made one for Jeremiah. His resolution is to read a motivational book this year. And I have the one for him to read, but I have to read it first. What is your resolution?

Gingerbread Houses

The boys and I did Gingerbread houses today. Below are the pics of the final projects.

We did our Christmas yesterday morning. That way the boys could have all weekend to play with their toys. They really enjoyed them. Dad sent them both race car tracks. Bray's is a demolition track & Cody's is a NASCAR racing track. Both love them & have been spending a lot of time racing them.

We also went to mom's and started our sugar cookies. We will decorate them tomorrow but I will probably not post about those. I will be heading to Chicago for next week so the posts will be light. But I'm sure Jeremy & I will do some post worthy things.

I will be posting a Christmas greeting tomorrow & that replaces my Christmas cards that I did not send out this year!

Go Speed Racer Part 2

If you'll remember, back on October 1 I posted about some issues that I was having with driving around here.

Well it finally caught up to me. I received my first speeding ticket on Thursday. I have been pulled over several other times, but never actually received a "citation". So, I was not too bothered by the fact that I got pulled over but when the officer stated that he was issuing me a "citation for speeding" I almost cried. I was so distraught. I ALMOST made it to 30 w/out a ticket.

I remember when I got stung by a bee sometime when I was a teenager. I hated it because I had NEVER been stung by a bee and now I could not say that. That one time really screwed things up. And I have not been stung again. Well it's the same feeling with this speeding ticket. Really ticks me off that it ruined my record. But I guess it makes up for all the other times that I SHOULD have gotten a ticket.

Waitress Exits via Front Window

Another video I saw on Ellen. Hopefully this girl is ok. But I have to admit, I laughed outloud on this one!!

Snowplow News

This was a video I saw on Ellen today - funny

Snow?

This was our first "snow". Less than 1/2" more like a dusting of snow really. They boys and I were both disappointed. We were hoping for more. We have not had any bad weather so far this year, unlike many of my family in Oklahoma. And Jeremy in Chicago. Some of my family in OK still do not have power. Jeremy has not had any issues because of the snow but he has had plenty of snow.

It does not look good for us to have a white Christmas either.









This is our Christmas tree this year. We always do a real tree. I try to do a "small" tree every year, but it ends up being bigger than I anticipated. But it is fun and nice. A perfect size.

The boys are getting excited. We will do our Christmas on Christmas Eve. I told the boys that we could get up early and do gifts first thing in the morning just like on Christmas.

Tomorrow I will be purchasing my last gift and then I will be done. I know many people still are not done, but there is less than one week left. This is late for me.

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping?

Best Gift of All

These were posted in Brayden's classroom as some of their writing papers.



That is the best gift that I could ever receive!!! Reading this was the highlight of my day!

This paper is supposed to be an ad to sell Santa a sleigh. The teacher was very impressed with Brayden's papers. I am too.

Moments of Inspiration

I FINALLY finished a scrapbook that I have been working on all year. Next month will be 2 years that Jeremy & I have been dating. And I spent this whole past year working on a scrapbook of our first year together. I have not worked on any pages since this summer. But for some reason tonight, I was inspired. I sat down & did 14 pages and now the book is done!

Another great accomplishment for me this year is that I read 5 books strictly for pleasure. I have never done that. I probably have not read more than 2 books in a year for my own enjoyment. I just finished my 5th one & probably will not start another one for awhile, as I will be starting school again in January!

5 Seconds of Fame

I had my 5 seconds of fame on Good Morning America Saturday. They were at Silver Dollar City & you can see my head bob up for about 5 seconds.

In the episode I am toward the beginning of the hour long show but in reality that was shot at the very end of their hour long filming.

I've saved it so the next time you are at my house I'm sure I'll show you.

Thanksgiving

We had a pretty good Thanksgiving. Matt & Jeremy were the only ones that traveled into town. Ted & Emily came in for the weekend after.

Grandpa was in the hospital again this year as was the case 2 years ago for Thanksgiving. Which reminds me, this is the 2 year anniversary of my blog. Grandpa is doing fine & home now. We tried to go to SDC Thanksgiving evening. It was too cold for the rides to go so we just walked around & looked at the lights. We raced back to the car, boys walked/ran & girls took the trolley - WE WON, of course.

All pictures are on my myspace - www.myspace.com/queenkira - I believe that the pics are public.

GOOD MORNING AMERICA

I don't know how many of you watch Good Morning America but they are doing a series about top Christmas destinations for families. Well they voted Silver Dollar City as one of those destinations. GMA will be doing their Saturday morning show from SDC December 1.

Why do you care, well part of the broadcast includes a toy drive that benefits Love, Inc. SDC's charitable organization. One of my friends words for SDC and she asked me to help Saturday. So I don't have to fight the crowds but maybe I'll be on GMA!!! The show will air at 7:00 AM central time so watch & see if you can see me.

I will be posting my Thankgiving update later. I am home right now trying to get re motivated to work. Things are slow right now as most of my clients are in the mortgage business and their business is in the toilet.

Brayden is also home sick. Just a little flu I guess. He came home yesterday because he vomited at lunch (sorry Janitor). But no fever. Then last night & today he had a fever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY

Last weekend was Jeremy's 27th birthday. He came to Missouri to celebrate with me & the boys. Saturday was his actual birthday. So that morning he went golfing with Uncle Phil, Ron and myself. I did not golf - I rode in the cart. I know nothing about golf and have never hit a ball on a golf course. Never even rode in a cart on the golf course. I have putt putt & I suck at it. So this was a new experience. And I wasn't extremely excited about either. I don't mind golf, but I've never been interested in golf & Jeremy & I had decided that that would be "his" thing.

Uncle Phil lives on the 15th hole of the golf course. His house is behind them in this picture. Ron is a friend from Hawaii.

This is me goofing off & Jeremy pondering his swings & putts.

This is us on maybe the 17th or 16th hole, I'm not sure. It was really cold when we first started, we had a 8:00 am T time. By this time it was warming up - some.

This is me on the 18th hole finally hitting the ball. I did actually hit the ball but it went only like 1 yard in front of me to the left. Not a pretty sight. Jeremy did a regular hit & then a Happy Gilmore hit. The Happy Gilmore drive was as good as his regular one!

I enjoyed the golf more than I thought I would. I enjoyed doing it with Jeremy & Uncle Phil. It was more exciting than I thought it would be. Even though I just watched most of the time. The only other thing that I did was rake the sand traps. I spared you the picture of that. And amazingly Jeremy was the only one that landed in the traps, I think this because the only ones that I had to rake were for him.

That evening we went to a Japanese steak house in Springfield called Nakato. Holly & Trevor joined us. We had a good time. Then rented a movie & watched it at home. We were too tired from golf to do much of anything else.

Sunday we went to see the Bee Movie
it was pretty good. The boys enjoyed it more than we did. Like most other cartoons it did address several "issues" that Jeremy & I thought were amusing.

Halloween Recap

First of all - on Oct 30 the electric company had Christmas decorations out!!!

In years past when the boys went trick-or-treating, I would let the boys have 2 pieces a day and week by week I would throw hand fulls of candy away until it was gone. Well Jeremy forbid me to throw any candy away this year. I asked him what about the yucky candy, he informed me that he would be he judge of "yucky" candy. Well surprising this year the boys got a lot of good candy.

Cody did not dress up he just hung out with friends & did some trick-or-treating w/out costume. Brayden was a ninja. His hair lady informed him that ninjas were quiet - I think she doubted that the could fully play the part!

I guess this is the funniest adult costume.

Best adult costume.

Boy at Bray's school that is in a wheel chair was a racecar & driver.

End result.

Not So Deceptively Delicious

Thursday - Watch Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah talking about her new cookbook Deceptively Delicious. See recipes and kids eat some of the food & love the food.

Friday - Buy cook book, go through cookbook & pick out recipes to try. Jeremy informs not to make anything like this for him but I decide that I will anyway one day & be deceptive about it.

Monday - Puree and try the mac & cheese with the Lettermans. Like the taste but has a fluffy texture like mashed potatoes. Mac & cheese made with cauliflower. Kids like it but say that it's different. Not so deceptive. Somewhat delicious.

Tuesday - Try the pizzas. Pizzas made with spinach. Definitely not deceptive. But kids like it and can't even tell that there is spinach in the pizza. So definitely delicious.

Wednesday - Try mashed potatoes. Made with the cauliflower (more suited after trying mac & cheese) and sweet potatoes. Kids see that the mashed potatoes are orange. I try to tell them that it is for Halloween. Taste good. Delicious but not deceptive.

Sometime in the future - will try scrambled eggs made with cauliflower, pancakes with sweet potatoes, eggs with spinach and chicken nuggets with broccoli or spinach.

I can see clearly now

Really I can. I had LASIK last Friday. It was not the most pleasant experience of my life but I guess it was worth it. It did not help that I had to hear everyone's war stories before hand. Mostly stories of how great it was and how happy everyone is with the outcome. But I did hear from Danton how it felt like knives in his eyes. And Jeremy shared with me all the bad stories that he could think of, because if he had any more he would definitely tell me.

I was awake for the procedure but I did get a Valium. The surgeon explained that there would be a little suction feel and then I would look at the the laser for 30 seconds and done! Well the "little" suction felt like my eye was getting sucked out of my socket. The only part that hurt was the device that they use to keep your eye lids open. On the 2nd eye the Doc pinched my eye lid with the device. I squirmed and he fixed it. But the worse part was that the Valium made me VERY emotional and between the suction and the pinch, I kind of lost it. I could not stop crying. They had to pause the procedure so I could gain my composure. The doctor kept apologizing and saying how I was so little. Which really meant that I have squinty eyes but he did not say that. THEN when it was all said & done my eyes felt really heavy and sticky so I did not want to open them. So I pretty much kept them closed until I woke up 3 hours later.

On my way out the doctor informed me that I was supposed to wear these plastic lenses ALL day & every night for the next week. AND I cannot wear any eye make up of a week. Which does not sound that bad but eye make up is the most important for me - remember squinty eyes!

But the good news is that I see great now. The doctor was actually surprised about how well I could see so soon after. They thought that I was going to need an enhancement surgery. But so far I don't think that will be necessary.

I keep feeling like I need to take my contacts out, but I don't & I can see!!!

This Weekend

This weekend I went to Chicago. Last year I was going there at least once a month. And then Jeremy & I bought homes here in Missouri so we spent every weekend focusing on the homes. So I had not been to Chicago from February to August. The boys and I went there in August & I was back 3 weekends ago & last weekend. We have our homes listed with realtors now & I will be back on my schedule of going to Chicago once a month - I think.

Friday night Jeremy & I went to the Melting Pot. A place that is fun but not our favorite place to go. This is our second time there and we are starting to get the hang of it. We get this couples dinner that comes with cheese fondue, dinner and salad. We've done different dinners each time and different chesses.

With the cheese you get breads, veggies and apples.

For dinner we had duck, pork, chicken, shrimp, and steak. You can batter the food then cook it or just cook it in the oil and put different sauces on in. Jeremy liked to batter everything first.

For just the 2 of us we were there for 2 hours. It's a full night. But pretty fun. I want to go back with a group and just do cheese & chocolate. We are always too full at the end to do the chocolate.

We also went to see The Heartbreak Kid. It was pretty funny. But we did not like the end at all.

Saturday I went to Jeremy's hair lady to get a hair cut. My hair lady is retiring so I am looking anyway. This was a good time to try someone new. My hair looks really long in this photo. I just had more layers put in & she cut like 1 inch but and inch and the layers made a big difference to me but not to anyone else. So I'll spare you the picture.

Tomorrow I will tell you about our airport drama.

South Beach

The only day that we made it to the beach was our first day there. It rained most of the day but cleared up late afternoon. So Jeremy & I headed down to the beach & planned to eat dinner somewhere on South Beach. South Beach was not too impressive. Now granted that this was Monday in September, but it was dirty & kind of like being in an old Mexican village. The water was nice but too cold & windy to swim so not really easy to appreciate the ocean. But I think that this is a very nice picture of Jeremy & I :)

Most of the menus in Miami include a lot of Bass, Conch & dolphin. They don't even call it Mahi Mahi - which I don't even know if Mahi Mahi is different from dolphin but all the menus said dolphin. Anyway we went to eat at this pretty popular place called Monty's. It was pretty cool. Very big, but of course dead the night we went there. There was a pool outside right in the middle of the tables. Jeremy had oysters!

I did not. But I have had them before, for him & I don't think that I need to do it again. They had live music and this lady sang. She did a really good job. We were very impressed. The first song she did was Rehab. And I'm not sure who sings that song but she has a lower sultry voice. Well she also sang Sexy Back. And her spin on it was pretty good. Jeremy thought it sounded better coming from a woman in a sexy voice than from JT, but he's a guy so I guess he would think it's better!

So not that we didn't like Miami, it was ok. We are glad that we went there but no need to go back. Which was very disappointing for Jeremy because he had hoped to retire there someday. Now he needs to find a new place to retire to. Have you ever been to Miami? If so did you like it?

New Dos

Brayden & I both got highlights. He got his yesterday & I got mine a couple of weeks ago. Mine are red but not that red - very subtle - which is what I wanted.

Cody is not getting highlights because he is on a new money system where he is financially responsible for most of his things. Well he lost someone's trombone, so he is in a bit of a financial crunch these days.

He did get tackled pretty good last night at the football game. He had a fumble recovery & got slammed by a kid that hit him up by the shoulders & it jerked his neck. He is fine but a very brutal tackle.

Yesterday I left for an appointment in Springfield, about 45 minutes away & when I got about 20 minutes from my house on the 2 lane road that I hate, I realized that I was wearing flip flops with my dress clothes. I had to load several things in the car so I put flip flops on so I would not kill myself in heels. So I had to turn back around & change shoes. I was late to my appointment, and they could not wait. Bad morning!

Oh, I'm wearing my glasses because I am having LASIK in 2 1/2 weeks so I have to be out of contacts until then :(

Alligator Hunter

Wednesday of our trip to Miami was NOT a very fun day for me. I decided to go to the Everglade National Forrest. I drove approximately 1 hour from the hotel - got lost for about 1 hour - then drove back to the hotel area for another hour. When I found the Everglades, it was pouring down rain. So I decided to head back to the hotel and go to the mall. I ate lunch at the mall and then found something to purchase at Lady Foot Locker. When I went to pay, I realized that I left not only my debit card at the hotel in another purse but also my ID. Who needed yoga pants anyway. I was so disappointed by the day, I went back to the hotel & watched my soaps.

Wednesday night, I joined Jeremy & his co workers for dinner and after dinner drinks. We had a good time and all of his co workers were very nice.

Thursday was our departure day from Miami. And of course that was the only sunny day of our trip. So I went out the the Everglades again. And I am happy that I did. It was very hot thought - around 90. I went to this area that has a path through a swamp where wild life is just all over & there are no fences or barriers between you and the wild life. Apparently there are alligators on the road pretty regularly. The Forrest worker told me to just walk on the opposite side of the road if I saw one. I was pretty excited & scared at the same time. I did not see one on the road but I did spot this one like 5 feet from me in the water. I was on the trail by myself & I kept hearing all these animal noises and water splatters. It was starting to really freak me out, so I turned to go back & that is when I saw these eyes. I stood there for almost 15 minutes just staring at this thing & taking pictures. I kept debating if I should try to stir this thing, but I decided against it. I did move around a bit to see if it would move, but it didn't seem to interested in me.

This is the only other thing that I saw - a turtle - can't really see it in this picture. Oh, I saw lots of fish too.

The Miami Dade airport really has much to be desired. But it did have these cool fish designs on the wall.

Friday I went to see The Jane Austen Book Club. That was the first time that I have gone to see a movie by myself. Jeremy worked 1/2 day. It wasn't so bad except when I laughed I had no one to share the laugh with. But I liked the movie a lot.

Go Speed Racer

So, another thing that I don't like about this place is the 2 lane road that I have travel on regularly for 20 miles or more. Not just because it is a 2 lane road but because it is a BUSY 2 lane road. Where everyone going my direction goes 50 on a 60 and EVERYONE is going the opposite direction. Usually I go 8-10 miles over the limit and today I was able to pass 2 people going 60!! I usually do not get road rage but this road could give me road rage. Cody pointed out to me that I passed 12 people one Sunday on the way to church! Hey I was just happy that I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to pass those people.




Brayden started Cub Scouts this year & he had his first Den meeting tonight. We went on a hike. And he really enjoyed it and think that we were both a little surprised by that. I think he takes after me, he is not really too much of the "outdoors" type.


Today I was able to watch Dancing with the Stars for the first time this season. I love Marie Osmond on there. But what was really surprising was Jennie Garth from 90210. Who did not love that show? Ian was on Dancing last season (I think). Well he did a really good job and looked pretty good too. Jennie on the other hand wow! She has really aged. Her face looks thin and wrinkled but her body looks not so thin. I thought I was the only one aging!

Work is going really good. August was the best month of my career. Well September was just as good. I thought that October was going to be back down in the dumps and I was a little concerned. But today was probably one of the best days that I have had in this career. I made an appointment with someone that I have been working with for over 6 months. Then I made 2 other appointments and got about 8 referrals. It's amazing how fast things can change in this industry! I love my job!

Blog Revitalized

I came home this morning from a week trip that included 2 destinations - Miami & Chicago.

Jeremy & I went to see Into the Wild yesterday. We both LOVED the movie. I had two inspirations from that movie. First of all I am going to tell you about my trip working backward - so today's post will be from the end of my trip & I'll work to the first day. 2nd, I started to think that maybe I could journal more in my blog & be more insightful about my thoughts and feelings vs just actions of the day. But I'm not sure that I can be that honest in such an open forum and I'm not sure that the people that I blog about would like me to be that honest about them. So I am working on that idea a bit.

My bff Holly came to pick me up from the airport today. We had lunch & caught up on the week's events. And then I went to mow 3 of the houses. When I got home I realized that I left my phone charger at Jeremy's house, totally bummed about that!

The best part of the day was about 10 minutes ago when the boys came home. I missed the boys like crazy. I am so happy to be home with them. I was explaining to Holly that I love this place and hate this place all at the same time. I love it because it is home but I just want to be home with my boys where ever that might be. I do not like Missouri or this area at least & I don't like the memories or the drama that come from this place either. So I do not look forward to coming here except to be "home" with my boys and back to normalcy, which I need in my life.

I'm also very happy that my shows are back on. I'm watching Housewives today & that is the only show that I've been able to watch all week. Traveling is much more fun when it doesn't interfere with my life...

Back to so called reality

For Labor Day weekend, I went to Oklahoma City to visit. I stayed with Mr T but also had a chance to see some friends and my other cousins, Ryan & Katie.

One of the many memorable moments of the weekend was when Mr T and I went to the grocery store. All of a sudden this Asian lady walks up to our cart, looks in & picks up a bag of new Pringles. In her broken English she tries to ask what the chips are, if they are good and where in the store we got them. So I tell her that we don't know about the taste because they are new (which by the way, they are good) and we tell her where to find them. THEN she proceeds to look through our cart & tell Mr T that the bag of lettuce he bought was too expensive and there was lettuce for $1.99. So Mr T goes over to get the cheaper lettuce as this lady continues to look at EVERYTHING else in the cart!! Mr T & I just walk away laughing & the lady finally walks away herself.

Vaca - the final chapter

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this or not, but we celebrated Brayden's 7th birthday in Oregon. He wanted a cookie but I could not find a big cookie so he got a cake that he did not eat any of.

On way home the pilot let the boys in the front of the plane. Cody flipped some switches & Bray got to make an announcement on the PA system announcing that he was pilot Brayden welcoming them on flight. Very cool.

Boys on farris wheel at Navy Pier.

Once back in Chicago, we decided to hang out a couple more days. Jeremy worked, again so I took the boys to Navy Pier. We had a good time (again a lot of walking). And the boys got to experience Buffalo Joe's, yummmmmm!