There goes the neighborhood!

These neighbors are not new, but seem to be loitering in the area lately-right across the street. They are pretty, aren’t they? I am glad, however, that my backyard is fenced and my veggie garden is protected.

Weekend project

Bruce worked hard and had help from Jeff and myself to get this arbor up. Finally we can walk down the steps without being smacked in the face by the forsythia or grape. 

Next, we’ll “paint” the steps to match the patio.

 

So Much to be Thankful For

Wow-this past weekend was a tough one. My mom was sent to the hospital with some heart-related issues. I’m grateful it wasn’t a heart attack, but it was so scary for her and her husband and everyone else in the family. I hope she knows how much I love her and how grateful I am that she’s my mom. Be good to yourself Mom and take care of YOU.

I’m thankful for my wonderful husband who, when I was a worried wreck, just held me and then even took me shopping. Let’s just say we stimulated the economy at Bed Bath and Beyond, and Molbaks-two of my favorite stores. We helped Home Depot out at well. My mama always told me, “When life gets tough, the tough go shopping.” Apparently, I’m pretty tough.

Then yesterday, the kids and even our grandkids came over and helped us move 15 YARDS of topsoil up a hill, rake, roll and smooth-so that we could replant some of our lawn. After the patio, we were left with quite a step and the moles we’d had in the past left holes in the lawn, etc. Bruce seeded last night, so now all we have to do is to sit around and watch the grass grow…:) RIGHT. Like we have time for that, right?

Our kids took time out of their busy schedules to help us with this. I can’t tell them how much I love them and appreciate them. Beth took pics…we had a lot of laughs too. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Alyssa and Jake!

Beth put on a really fun party for Alyssa who is now 8 and Jake who is now two. We had a great time! 

Overheard in the Bedroom

Okay, first of all, y’all get your minds out of the gutter!
J (scraping the bottom of the moisturizer jar): Shoot! I’m out of moisturizer.
B (half asleep): Well, we’ll just have to get you some more.
J: I know, but it’s so expensive.
B (yawning): It’s okay. You need it.
J (one eyebrow raised and lips pursed): Really. Thanks.

P.S. Many thanks to Beth’s good friend, D. She hooked me up with some FREE stuff!

I’m a Menace!

For Christmas I wanted to get Bruce something fun to do for one of his gifts…he had said he would like to race go-carts at a place we have close by. Ryan has gone a lot to this place and seems to always have a really good time. So, we tried once before-got the whole family together, had a great dinner-and off we went…only to find out we needed reservations. David made the reservations and Saturday was the big day. Bruce had a great time. He came in third in the last no-holes-barred race. Ryan is really good and he came in first followed by David. Bruce was telling me what their overall times were and Bruce and David weren’t too far behind Ryan. Good job you guys! Then there was me.

 
Let’s just say I gave it a try and seriously? What a wreck! Literally!
The helmet and “sock” made me feel a bit claustrophobic. The cars flat out went too fast (I was running the “slow” race). The man with the flag annoyed me. He kept indicating I needed to keep to the right and let people pass me…duh! He got so he was almost laughing every time I approached him (on the right) Hmmm. I wonder if I could have run over him. Probably not. More issues: I “kissed” the wall with the back of the car too many times and then when I was heading straight for my youngest two children (Jill had spun out and David stopped for her) I panicked and couldn’t remember how to stop! I crashed into them at full throttle.. left foot brake…right foot gas. Crap. So, Jill’s okay, David needs to see the chiropractor and I’m scarred for life because I nearly killed my youngest two kids. I drive like a grandma…well at least THAT makes sense.

Beth drove my final two races, much to my relief, and I got to hold Jake, much to my delight. Beth didn’t mention in her blog however, that she was getting car sick going around those turns. I mouthed to her as she was driving slower than anyone, “Are you okay?” She shook her head in the negative. I thought she was hurt, but she was just sick to her stomach. We made quite a pair that night! I’ve decided that my family is too competitive for my blood, oh wait..they ARE my blood. Well, they take after their Dad I always enjoy being with the family though.
Afterward we had a fun time at dinner. Thank you Ryan and Beth for dinner! Thank you David, Ryan, Beth, Jill and Drew for coming and making it a fun evening. And for not laughing TOO hard at me. Check out the pictures on Beth’s blog.

“I Never Get Sick!”

First, I need to wish Beth and Ryan a belated Happy Anniversary on February 23rd. It’s hard to believe it’s been 8 years! Then again, Ryan has been a part of our family (on and off) since he was 15 years old.  You two have a beautiful family and I’m so happy you are all in mine.

Now to the title of this blog. Seriously, I really don’t get sick a lot. When I first began working for the school district, man, I caught everything. Even chicken pox! In probably the last ten years or so, I just haven’t contracted anything…I never get a flu shot ( and I brag about that-since people are often immunized for what turns out to be a different strain), I take very few meds-an occasional Advil, but I even don’t like taking those. The one exception was my shredded tendon, but that was an injury-not an illness. I eat healthy, exercise and just have always felt I was blessed with an incredible immune system…until this week. Sheesh!

Last Saturday I just felt really tired and Sunday Bruce and I even took a three hour nap…I felt pressure in my head, but thought I could knock it with a nap. I’m always cold-that’s normal for me. I wear a scarf-even inside-most of the winter and Monday I was extremely warm, then shivering cold. At work I felt like I was dressing scarf on, heavy coat on, then undressing-scarf off! Throw off that heavy coat-even the lightweight coat. Hot flashes crossed my mind, but I still got cold….and I was achy all over. My boss told me to go home around noon. I did-gratefully. And then got a sub for the rest of the week-each day not getting better. I couldn’t sleep last night and even today, while I’m better than I have been…I’m still not 100%. I am going into work tomorrow. I popped Cold Eaze throughout Lion King (we’d had the tickets since December-I wouldn’t miss it!) and imagine I’ll need to do the same tomorrow. I really need to go in to work as this is the last week to prepare the kids for the Iditarod.

Speaking of which: For those of you who don’t  know, Ryan is “Dee Dee” in an earlier comment section and he has bet me $5 that Dee Dee Jonrowe will come in ahead of Jeff King in this year’s Iditarod. He finally admitted to me what great athletes women are in tough sporting events wherein men usually win.  (And if you believe that whole story, you don’t know Ryan.  ) That said, the bet is true. GO JEFF KING!

As far as monthly accountability…I’ve lost a couple of pounds, but nothing great. I could use the sickness as an excuse….so I will. Sorry. I haven’t had the strength to work out in over a week. But the good news is that I really don’t have much of an appetite and I’ve started doing push-ups as a part of my routine. I don’t think I’ve done push ups since high school! That makes me feel good…well, in thought. Right now-this minute even the though of  a push-up seems too hard. If I end up losing weight because of being sick, then I’m sure I won’t be able to “count” it.

So, I guess I can get sick. Even 18 years at a school around sick kids all the time does not protect me from everything. I’m just grateful I don’t get sick often…I better sign off before I jinx myself.

This month should be a fun one. The Iditarod, go-carting this Saturday, Alyssa and Jake’s birthday parties. Good luck to Brent on his Utah gig. That happens this month too!

Lion King

Thursday night Bruce and I were lucky enough to go see Lion King with Beth, Ryan, Jeff and Alyssa. It was a great show and reminiscent of the time my mom and Leif met us at the Nutcracker. What fun to see the kids’ faces as the elephant walked down the aisle-right next to them,  to hear Jeff’s laughter at all the “fart” jokes, and to see Alyssa whispering something to her dad and pointing to the stage with wide eyes. I loved the look on Alyssa’s face when she first saw the giraffes come out on stage.  It was a great night and a great memory.  I sure love you guys! Thanks for letting us be a part of this. And thank you Jill for watching Jake-even though he splashed you in the bathtub and got you soaking wet.

A Fun Day at the Zoo!

Today was the last day of our mid-winter break. It was only two days for me, but with the nice weather we were having, Beth and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. Jake has never been, and didn’t feel great to begin with, but as you’ll see, he warmed right up to it. Get that kid to climb and run and he’s a new “man”. We had a great time. Thank you Beth for letting me be there for the fun.

My Talented Son’s latest project

Since David doesn’t have time to blog anymore, I told him I’d post “news” of him as well from time to time. About the same time Bruce and I were working on our closet, David started building some storage for his office. Nice job David!