Recently in Family Category

This is Hubby's birthday present. Isn't she adorable?

Her name is Nina and she is a Miniture St. Bernard/Lab mix. Don't laugh! She definately took after her daddy (the lab) although her brothers look more like the St. Bernard part. Mom was actually a medium dog (guess that is why it was a Mini St. Bernard).

She is all of 7 weeks old and already is pottying outside. She was an outside dog her whole 7 weeks and didn't have a clue how to walk on the tile or the carpet in the house.

We kept her in the bathroom last night and she has this cute little howl when she got lonely or had to go out. She only woke once during the night.

I was all snuggled in bed nice and cozy like this morning and the phone rings at 7AM!

WTF!

Hubby's boss calling to ask him to come in early. 4 hours early. Someone didn't show up to work. It's a good thing HUBBY was already awake because he would have reached through the phone and strangled the guy if he had woken HIM up. So off he went to work.

I, on the other hand, got myself together and went to the morning matinee. "What Happens in Vegas" was a pretty good movie. It was worth the $5 I shelled out, not to mention the $ on popcorn. Gots to have my movie popcorn! I had Starbuck's for lunch. :)

Since Hubby went in early, he got home early, so we went to dinner with the "kids and granddaughter". Olive Gardens still rocks and we even had a "REAL" italian guy waiting on us.

Just got out of the jacuzzi and are about to head to bed.

Pleasant Valley Sunday.

Okay gang! It has been about 6 months since I have posted anything of real importance on this blog.

I now have a question that needs to be answered. It is dividing my family in two and we need to know WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG!

When you eat corn on the cob:

do you eat it across the cob - starting at one end and eating across to the other end

or

around the cob - turning the cob as you go and then progressing toward the other side.

Since I have been gone for so long I know that I have very few readers so please pass this along to all your blogging buddies. I NEED ANSWERS! Which of us is eating it wrong?

Baby Z made her first appearance at 3:13 pm (not positive exactly) on January 18th. She weighed in at 8 pounds even and was 20 1/2 inches long. She has a little bit of blond hair and is quite cute as you can see. Mommy and Daddy are doing fine.

I was going to go over and get some more quality snuggle time this afternoon when they head home from the hospital but I have an awful head cold. So no baby for me today. I may have to get one of those surgical masks so I can go over on Friday.

Wow! Am I tired!

Little K (grandaughter) spent the night on Wednesday night and I am about dead.

The fact that she spent the night is nothing new. She has spent the night here once a week since she was 6 weeks old. I love it! But ...

She is almost 11 months and is developing quite the mind of her own. She has decided that unless she is being held, that she is NOT going to go to sleep. You see, I think that is the way it is at home. (no matter what they tell me) I have no problem rocking her and cuddling while she is drinking her bedtime bottle. That is some of the best moments of my day and she usually falls asleep by the last slurp. The part that I object to, is when she wakes every hour or two and wants to be cuddled until she falls back to sleep. No more just plugging her pacifier in and back to bed.

Then to top it off! When I did get back to bed, Grandpa is sound asleep, snoring away at top volume and I can't get back to sleep.

Well, 4 hours sleep doesn't work for me anymore. Jeez, it wasn't THAT long ago that I was up until dawn, was it?

It's now Friday and I still want to take a nap.

"We" (aka Hubby, B - daughter in law, E - son and I) went to the other son and daughter-in-laws house to work on the new baby's nursery while J and N were at work. "We" were going to paint, hang wallpaper border, hang curtains, set up the crib etc. All a surprise for the "mom to be". We would have surprised the daddy to be also but we wanted to get into the house without breaking a window.

Things were going along swimmingly until we were just about done painting and the phone rang. Seems the "mom to be" decided it was time to go into labor. She was having pains about 6 - 8 times an hour. They were headed to the hospital.

We went into overdrive and got the border up, the crib built and the curtains hung, just about in time for them to walk in the front door. It was a false alarm.

BUT we walked her down the hall with her eyes closed (no peeking) and she was pleasantly surprised, I do believe.

Now all we need is a baby. Well, and a mattress and dresser and changing table and other little baby misc.

But at least the room is painted and looks like a nursery now instead of a storage shed. :)

Since my house if FULL of sicky germs, I went over to babysit little K at her house today. Her house had been FULL of the sicky germs too, but we are not sure it is the same type of germ and I didn't want her to have to deal with Grandpa's strain.

She is getting to the "fun" stage. She is trying to walk and crawls like a mad woman. But today we spent alot of time cuddling in the recliner, since she isn't feeling completely up to par. I love cuddling.

There is nothing quite like holding a baby and having her look at your face as you look at hers. The little hand reaching up to poke her little fingers into your mouth and up your nose. Nothing quite like it.

You tell me - isn't she the cutest thing you have seen today?
(click pics to get the full size view)

There are sick people all around. I don't mean your everyday psycho's, but "ill" people. The Hubby has been down with some kind of crap since Sat. Hubby's mom was here last night and she is just getting over it. I think she may have been the one to pass it around. My son and granddaughter are both icky. I am surrounded.

So far I have been spared. I have had the scratchy throat thing going for a couple of days but have been chomping on the Vitamin C and so far it hasn't taken hold. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hubby was planning on playing hooky from work on Sunday but was really sick. He went in to work on Monday but they SENT him home midday because they didn't want his germs there anymore. Right now he is in bed snoring away. He snores so badly when he is sick that it forced me, the dog AND cat out of the bedroom last night. We spent the night on the couch and believe me that couch isn't THAT big.

So I am off to work with about 5 hours sleep.

Pity the person who sits in my chair today.

Hubby wasn't very interested in the new Xbox 360 when it was about to come out, so he didn't preorder one. I really don't know why he didn't, because he has almost every other console that has ever been made, but he didn't. AND he wasn't about to stand in line for 12 hours in the hopes that he might be one of the lucky ones to get one of the limited few that were being shipped to the stores.

Both of the "Boys" got theirs. One preordered and the other stood in line with his pregnant wife, (but they are crazy like that, and they swore to me that she sat down the whole time).

Hubby has decided HE WANTS ONE!

So I am being pimped! At least that is what I call it.

He has signed up for one of those "If you get 8 others to sign up then you get a free one" deals. And he seems to think that I have a massive amount of "Blogging Friends" (yeah right) so he asked me to put up his "Help get Hubby a FREE X-Box 360 LINK".

Now, if any of you 8 people that read my blog have a "Massive amount of Blogging Friends" that want to send them my way that would be cool.

Maybe there IS a Santa Claus!

p.s. there is a link on the sidebar also.

With Halloween just around the corner, Hubby pulls out all his arsenal of scary stuff. He usally uses it on the dog and cat but now he has another "person" to try it out on.

THE GRANDDAUGHTER!

Check out the picture and you tell me who you think WON that little contest.

Schnepf's Farm was alot of fun. It is geared toward the younger kids but if you like walking around and taking in the sights and sounds and smells of a working farm ... this is it.

There is food - yummy chili, a petting farm, pedal cars, flying bee carnival ride, hayride, homeade ice cream, bouncy things for the kids, and of course the two different corn mazes.

All in all, a fun day on the farm.

Also a pumpkin patch.

Taylor, Kaylin and Charlie. Megan was off looking for the "Great Pumpkin".

Today we are off to Schnepf's Farm . Hubby, baby K and I are heading over to the farmland to hang out with the "other" part of the family. No, not the pigs and cows, but Hubby's brother and family.

Should be a day of good smells (fresh baked pies), bad smells (cows and pigs don't REALLY smell very good) chili, pig races, puppet shows and maybe even a rollercoaster.

OH! And don't forget the corn maze. I love mazes.

Today is my Hubby's birthday.

He is 38 years old today. Such an old man! :)

He is working today. On his birthday. So I have arranged for my son and daughter-in-law (they work in the same place) to pick up a cake and bring it to work. I would do it myself but they are in a "SECURE" building and "the powers that be" wouldn't let ME or the cake in. I don't suppose there will be any cake left to bring home to mama, either. Those co-workers of his are gluttons for free food.

He got his presents yesterday. A hard case for his guitar (so he can bring it on vacation) and a Shiatsu chair massager. I am using it right now. LOVE IT.

Happy Birthday Honey!

We have been so busy with the tile remodeling job that I forgot to tell you....

We are going to have another "Granddaughter" in January. WOO HOO! I like me these girls. Having raised two boys, I am loving the little outfits and things I get to buy for the little girls.

So color me excited.

I've been holding back. We have spent the last two months planning a big SURPRISE shindig for my mother-in-law's retirement party and I haven't been able to say anything on here cause I know that she stops by to read it once in awhile.

But it went off without a hitch. There was all kinds of food, drink, music and alot of her work people from the last 25 years at the Paradise Valley School District. AND SHE WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED! But she didn't cry, and for her that is a miracle.

With my mad Photoshop skills I made her a "YEARSBOOK" that consisted of 25 years of pictures of all the years she worked for the school system. Loaded with her pictures from the yearbooks, starting in 1981. Boy did she change! Then everyone signed it, just like we always did on the last few days of school.

We, of course, overbought on the food so I don't have to cook for a week with all the cold cuts and cheese and chips etc etc left over.

Now maybe my posting will be alittle more regular.

Okay, maybe not, but I am trying.

A little hair product - a cute dress - a purple headband

This is what you get!

(Click to get a Bigger Better View)

Isn't that the most precious thing you have seen in awhile?

(Click to ENLARGE)

Check out the dog - checking out the baby! (right side of the picture)

Have you ever noticed that once something starts it snowballs? This time I am NOT taking about my laundry room (which by the way is coming along great, Pictures at 10)

I am talking about BABIES!

Kaylin is just about to turn 4 months in the next week. When she turns 11 months she is going to have a cousin.

I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMA AGAIN!

My oldest son and daughter-in-law are going to be the proud parents this time.

I even have "its" first picture.

Look see.

Hubby call this morning and asked if I wanted to meet him for lunch. I thought about it for a second and answered. "Sure that would be great!"

Now, I go to lunch with people all the time but "lunch" with Hubby when he is at work is something I don't do often. WHY? you ask.

Hubby happens to work 35 miles from home. Now the drive it not bad, cause it is all freeway and it takes about 40 mins when the traffic is light and that takes up about 2 hours of my day-off. I got "shit" to do!

He is worth it, so off I went to meet Hubby for lunch at "Chipotle". That place has mighty fine food. Actually, I think it has "crack" in it, cause it is highly addicting.

Josh and Niki introduced it to me several months ago and I have to go back every other week or so. If I get a chicken burrito bowl with veggies and beans it is still on our "diet". Woot!

Thanks for Lunch, Honey!

Look what someone who must love me very much, had delivered to my front door.

Today is a day of rest and relaxation.

That is after I:

Get the laundry done.
Have lunch with the "Girls from Minnesota" (dontcha know)
Visit with the family after lunch.
Fold and hang up clothes.

I may be able to squeak some rest and relaxation in there.

The "Girls from Minnesota" are cousins of my Mom's. They come down to Phoenix every year to soak in some sun and fun. Hubby swears that they are right out of the movie, "Fargo". You betcha Honey, people really do talk like that. He is just amazed. He has lead such a sheltered existence.

p.s. if you haven't seen the movie "Fargo" go rent it. It really is a kick.

Today is my brother's birthday. He is a year and a half older than me, so that makes him "VERY OLD".

When growing up we would fight like cats and dogs. Mostly it was "Mom! he hit me!" or "Dad! she hit me!" Just enough to get everyone riled up and the action going.

My brother had some very dorky friends. But as we got older I found that some of those "dorks" had turned into some pretty nice looking guys. And no matter how much I flirted and smiled and talked, NONE of them would give me much more than the time of day.

Well about 10 years after I was married and had kids of my own, I found out why.

The past 48 hours have been very exciting around here.

Being a Grandma is the most awesome thing there is.

I also want to thank my son and daughter-in-law for allowing me to experience one of the most amazing things I have ever been a part of. The birth of my granddaughter.

Both Daddy and Mommy were real troopers. DIL gave ME strength just watching her do her job of bringing Kaylin into this world. She is just beautiful. I am soooo proud of ALL of them.

Without further ado. I would like to introduce you to my first granddaughter,

For those who would like a longer look here is a slideshow of
Kaylin Marie! This will take a few mins to download so be very patient. :)

Missed all previous "fun dates"!
Been awake for 40 hours.
Been "birthin" babies. Or at least one anyway.

Granddaughter was born 2 -12-2005 at 5:15 pm.
Weight: 8 lbs 15 1/2 oz
Height: 21 inches

Mom and daughter and daddy are all excellent.

Grandma is exhausted and needs sleep.

Pictures tomorrow.

Nite nite!

No baby yet. We are waiting for the hospital to have an opening to induce DIL. No really! We spent all day yesterday calling back every 4 hours or so. Guess this is a busy baby season or something.

Anyway going to try to get back to a routine and go to work this morning. I am slammed with appointments, so you can bet she will go in this morning.

I know that some of you are not the least bit interested in hearing yet another post about the upcoming grandbaby. So I have made a "special "site for the baby news for family and friends who are interested. I have password protected it so if you want to keep up you will have to leave a comment with a valid email address and I will email you the username and password.

This is not saying that there will never again be a post about "The Baby" but I will limit them to very important things, like when she is born.

Carry on.

Brea (daughter-in-law) went to the doctor on Monday. After he examined her, he said I have some good news and some bad news. The good news... Brea won't be going into premature labor. The bad news... she may not be going into labor by herself any time soon. Her cervix is not thinning at all. Still thick and holding that baby in good and tight.

So the deal is, she will have an ultra sound on Saturday to see how big the baby is. The doctor doesn't want her to get over 8 pounds. I am sure that Brea doesn't either. (E was 10 pounds 3 ounces) Then next appointment is Monday afternoon (her due date) The doctor will determine when they will induce labor if she has not progressed any. If inducing doesn't work after 2 days, then she will have to have a c-section. We don't want that, thank you.

So keep your fingers and toes crossed that little Kaylin decides to push from the inside. :)

I love Monsters!

We are just about ready to pick up our nieces ( 8 years and 5 years old) for a day of fun. It was their Christmas present from us.

We are taking them to see Disney on Ice, Monsters INC. at 11:30. Should be full of little kids running around. Hubby is going to have soooo much fun. Good practice for that granddaughter that is due soon.

After the show we will take them out to lunch. Don't know where yet but I think we will let them pick.

Can you say BOO!

The baby shower went great. There was 20 people in my livingroom. We were cozy. Real cozy. But I think everyone had fun.

Kaylin now has everything a new baby would need. She will be the best dressed, warmest, cleanest baby girl with bibs and binkies to spare.

Now all she has to do is get here.

To answer debby's questions in the comments:

It wasn't a surprise shower but she was surprised with all the decorations. We had chicken salad croissants, spinach and strawberry salad, fresh fruit and marshamellow cream cheese dip, veggie tray, chips, punch and cake for dessert.

I am getting stuff done right and left this morning.

I love online shopping.

I just ordered my niece's Christmas presents. Hubby and I will be taking them to Disney on Ice, Monsters Inc. These little girls have every toy that was ever made, so we always try to do something where we get to spend time with them.

Also, while cruising "that their internet" I came across info that John Edward psychic extraordinaire, was going to be in Phoenix in March. I love this guy! And YES I do believe in this "stuff". Hubby and I went to LA to see him a couple of years ago and it was an amazing experience even tho we were not read.

My MIL is also a big believer in the psychic medium stuff. And since her youngest son, Justin passed in June, I asked her if she would be interested in going. She jumped at the chance. So I bought tickets for that gallery reading in March of 2005. She was so excited she almost was crying. Another Christmas present taken care of.

Now I am off to breakfast at IHOP with Hubby and then to get a hair cut.

See ya.

Other than the guinea hen wanting to walk down the aisle BEFORE the bride, and the monkey playing with himself as the backdrop of the bride and groom saying their vows, THE WEDDING WAS AWESOME! But I guess you have to expect that when you have your wedding at the zoo.

The evening was a bit chilly but there were heaters and a fire (if you can call it that) at the outdoor reception. After one of the guys jumped in the fire pit to get it REALLY going, it was toasty warm.

The food was superb. It was catered by a restaurant in town called Fusion. We were all stuffed. There was lamb, steak tenderloin, portebello/squash lasagna, garlic mashed potatoes and salmon. And that was AFTER the appetizers of shrimp, crabmeat, veggie skewers, ceasar or spring salad, about 6 different cheeses and fruit.

The zoo had transported us from the wedding area to the reception area on the zoo train. But when we left, we had to find our way back in the dark to the area where the ZOO LIGHTS and the entrance are. That was alittle spooky knowing that we had driven past lions and tigers (no bears) to get there. But we all managed to get out of there without becoming zoo food. It was a great night.

Hubby ate ALL the leftover stuffing.

I don't think I like him anymore.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ONE AND ALL!

Turkey is cooking and smells so good already and it is only been in for 2 hours. Family should start rolling in about an hour from now. Have to get showered and dressed.

Everyone have the bestest Thanksgiving ever.

He ate the rest of "MY" Butter Pecan ice cream.

That is after he polished of "HIS" Cherry Vanilla, yesterday.

Damn HIM!

Do you like to get lost?

Me either, but this was just a bit different.

We took my niece's to the "Corn Field Maize" yesterday. It brought back memories of "The Shining". We were never "really" lost because we let the girls led us thru. (they are 8 and 5)

The best part of the day was finding $20 on the ground. And of course, M (the 5 year old) found 6 cents. We can't foget that now can we.

They have a "SCARY MAIZE" too, but we decided that Hubby couldn't handle it, without taking out a few of the ghosts and goblins that run thru it. So we chose the "Family Maize" and just ran around scaring each other.

With the $20, we took the girls to Olive Garden. We generally like the italian food there. I ordered a combo meal of Lasagna, chicken parmesan and fettuccini alfredo. Half hour after we ordered the waiter came back.

"We are out of Lasagna!"

WHAT! You are a frickin italian restaurant. How the hell can you be out of lasagna?

WHY ME! Why couldn't you be out of macaroni and cheese. The girls wouldn't have minded, they were already full of breadsticks.

So I had my combo dinner WITHOUT lasagna. I was not a happy camper.

The spirits seem to be running my Media Player.

I like to listen to music while I work. I set it on shuffle so the songs just pop up as they pop up. Well first 4 songs that played were:

Please right click and save to your computer if you want to listen

1. "Dance With My Father Again" by Tamyra Gray
This was my dad's choice. I cry everytime I hear it. It brings back memories of dancing with my dad as a child. I would stand on the top of his feet and he would whirl me around the room like a couple of ballroom dancers.

2. "Old Man River" by Barbershop Quartet - Counterpoint
This was Grandma's choice. No crying here just memories of the love we shared. She was a very special woman.

3. "Glycerine" by Bush
This was requested by Ed. Hubby's best friend who was killed by a drunk driver as he walked across the street. See Ed loved this song and Hubby hated it. So it would be just like Ed to make Hubby listen to it.

4. "To Where You Are" by Josh Groban
This was played by all who have passed to make me realize that I miss them all very very much. Some have been gone for as long as 24 years, some only a few months. But I miss them all the same.

Thanks gang!

You've heard the song Manic Monday by the Bengals. Oh come on sure you have. (if I had it in "MY LIST" I would make a link for download but it seems I don't have it)

Anyway, I digress.

This should be called Manic Sunday. Usually Sunday at my house is a day to sleep in, go to breakfast at the nearest IHOP, and do absolutely nothing of value.

But not today. Everyone has planned the day for us. We have a 1st birthday party for my nephew Charlie Damn, that year went fast.

Then we have a BBQ with my daughter-in-laws family, to meet her parents. You might ask, "If she is your daughter-in-law, then why didn't you meet her parents at the wedding?" Simple....

My new title is Painting Queen.

We went over to my Sis-in-laws this morning to finish up her livingroom and kitchen painting. I now know that I do not want vaulted ceilings in any house I own. These two rooms are of course the highest peak in the house, easily 16 feet high. Painting ceases to be fun when you are that high on a ladder. (I made SIL do it, she needed the experience.) To add insult to injury, we had to prime the one wall first, cause she picked a deep burnt red color as an accent wall. So it meant double painting. Yikes. But it does look awesome just in time for little Charlie's 1st birthday next weekend.

I also gave Little Charlie his first haircut while I was there. He looks so grown up with his little boy cut.

Next week, I am going over to my daughter-in-law's to help paint the nursery.

See I told you I am the new "Painting Queen".

Today is my youngest son, E's birthday.

His wife had an ultrasound this afternoon to find out what their baby is going to be.

And the results are . . .

Maybe I am Martha Stewart.

As posted below, I went over to Mom's to help with some handyperson work this morning.

My project was to prime, paint and tile the top of this old end table. To make it look wonderful. Well here is what I had to work with.
(Click to get the big picture, for the whole effect)

Nice sturdy, solid piece of wood. But a mess, right?

Well, after priming it, painting it and gluing on the tile, this is what was left......

I am off to Mom's today. We are going to do some "decorating" things. She bought new furniture for her familyroom and she wants to use the old end tables, so we are going to give them a new look. We will be painting them a lighter brown and and then we will put ceramic tile on the top. (with grout and the whole deal) Mom came up with this idea and I really like it, so I hope that it works as planned.

Then there is the other toilet fixings that we will replace.

So off I go to be Homer Handyman. Ta Taa!

Sing Along please right click and save

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Joshua,
Happy Birthday to you.

I suffered for hours to give birth to this 9lb 5oz. bouncing baby boy. The least you can do is go over and tell him how much I suffered to bring him into this world. It was 30 years ago (not possible) today and I still remember the whole 4 hours worth of labor. Oh Shut up it was a long 4 hours.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA! Mommy loves you!

(he calls me Mommy when he wants something)

JoJo had her/his first portrait today. Who the hell is JoJo, did you ask?

Let me explain.

When E (my youngest son) and his girlfriend (now his wife) B were first dating they went to a fair and were wandering around the exhibit hall checking out all the cool thing. All the different booths with the handwriting analysis ... wonder blender/chopper that makes the great veggie juice ... and the awesome massage chairs that do everything except blow you. You know the place!

They came across a booth that said, "What will your children look like?" Being young and in love (or lust or whatever) they decided to find out. They each had their picture taken and then the two pictures were blended into one being. The result was, to say the least, interesting. She/he became known as JoJo the dog faced baby.

Now even tho she/he was not a very attractive little thing, she/he was to be MY GRANDBABY so JoJo became a name of endearment.

Well, now I have another picture of JoJo.

But NO MOTIVATION!

Well, being the good mom I am I offered THIS as motivation.

What a week!

After getting the call about Hubby's brother, Justin, on Monday, the week has been very busy. There were arrangements to be made, a small memorial service to sprinkle the ashes to be set up, and having to deal with relatives that haven't been associated with for 15 or so years.

And during all this upheavel, I helped paint my sis-in-laws livingroom and I had the surgery on my hand on Friday. Which is doing great by the way.

Today, the final detail, was taken care of. We were finally able to get in to clean out Justin's apartment. We went in and packed up all the "stuff" and filled up the bed of Hubby's pickup. Brought it home and began going thru it to clean out the "crap" that was garbage and set aside the things the family might want. Very sad how little there was. A bible, cd's and a tv for Mom, a couple of watches and a electric razor for Hubby, a glass hummingbird dish for grandma. Three bags of clothes for goodwill. Not much to show for 29 years of life.

Quite sad.

Bet you didn't know I was a painter!

Okay before you get excited... I am a "Love to paint WALLS" kind of painter. Every room is my house is a different color. I have my blue room (office) that has a faux blue and white upper with a chair rail and a dark blue below. Kitchen is light yellow. Living room: camel, bathroom: faux sponge tan and white, master bedroom: different shades of green. Anyway, I digress.

We are going over to my brother-in-laws house today to paint their livingroom. They have a fairly big house with vaulted ceilings and a HUGE livingroom. (huge by my standards anyway) And me being the amazing interior decorator that I am, (okay, sis-in-law thinks I am, so I am going with it) I am going over to help pick a color and paint the room. I am bringing hubby over to help move furniture and then sit in front of the tv with his brother and to watch the kids.

So we will head to Home Depot for paint and then paint till we drop or til T, my niece's, softball game this evening. I hope to get most of it done today since I will be out of commission tomorrow.

Have to go dig out my paint clothes. Yes, I have special paint clothes. They have multiple colors from the different rooms I have painted over the years. I said I love to paint but I didn't say that I was a clean painter. Hubby always asks "Did you get any on the walls". The walls are covered, I am covered, but I DON"T get anything on the floor. I am THAT GOOD!

So off we go. Painting hopefully will keep my mind off the rest of this week and my surgery tomorrow morning.

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to paint I go *whistles away*

My brother-in-law passed away this week.

Remember this post on June 11th.

I left everyone hanging but it wasn't my fault. I was sworn to secrecy after I posted. I was told by the person who called "Don't tell anyone until I get back to you!"

Well they got back to me.....

I just got the most exciting phone call!

Woo Hoo!

But I have to go to work now. So more later.

Looks like Monday night will be hockey night at the "What's Up With That?" household.

Here's the breakdown:

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear NIKI!
Happy Birthday to You!

Head on over and wish Niki a Happy Birthday!

Hubby and I just got back from dinner at Carraba's. Yummy! Not to good for the diet but the best Pasta Weesie (Shrimp sautéed in a garlic, lemon butter, white wine sauce with sautéed mushrooms and scallions, served over fettuccine alfredo) around.

We met Josh and Niki for a Happy Birthday dinner. Tomorrow is Niki's birthday. Let's just say she is now "establishment". So go on over there and wish her a happy birthday and tell her tj sent you.

This "Little Dude" is getting BIG! He is only 6 months old. But does he have the expression thing going on. What a personality!

   
Charlie is my nephew, for those who don't know.

It's where you sneak up on a cow at night and run into their side and try to tip them over while they sleep.

Okay! I have never tried it and I actually don't know anyone who has, but I needed to explain so you would understand the rest of my post.

One of the fun things about Easter is the Easter Egg Hunt.

You know, where you hide all these brightly colored eggs and let the kids loose to run amok and find the 64 eggs that you hid. All of them filled with candies and surprises. (these are the plastic ones not the hard boiled colored variety) To make it fair, you assign each kid a certain solid color egg, that only THEY can pick up. Then you have a selection of multi-colored one that are fair game for everyone. (You don't want any of the little tykes coming up short handed now, right?)

Here are some pictures of our Easter Egg Hunt.

We are going to do a very NON-Traditional Easter dinner today.

There will be Josh and Niki, E and Brea, Mom and Hubby and I. Instead of having a ham dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, beans, green stuff salad, rolls etc. We are going to have ...

First I tell you the boring stuff:
Hubby changes work shifts the first full week in April. Right now he is working Sunday thur Wednesday and will change to Wednesday thur Saturday. From graveyard to swings. He will get off Weds morning this coming week and won't have to go back to work until the following Weds afternoon. SOOOO!

Now comes the good stuff:

What to do with a week vacation that isn't taking up any of his PTO days?

1. We have thought of renting a motor home and cruising around the state for a week.
2. If my in laws have closed on their new cabin, we might go help them get it cleaned up and ready to use
3. We thought a short Mexican cruise but we have to deal with the dogs and the cat

Any ideas? You have to consider we have alittle less than a week and we have 2 dogs and a cat to deal with on short notice.
Submit ideas please!

My hubby starts the graveyard shift tonight.

He moved to a brand new department in his company and is working with International Clients. Since our graveyard hours are International customers primetime hours, they needed someone with "experience" to work at that time. So his boss gave him the old ...

"We reallly need someone with your experience with the Company, working during this time. The others are too green and we can't let them work alone yet"

... speech.

So he gets screwed. And I don't!

I HATE TO SLEEP ALONE!

That is why I got married, right? So I wouldn't have too.

Kermit will be thrilled cause he will have half of the bed to himself now.

The day finally came and it has finally gone.

But after all was said and done, everything turned out absolutely wonderful.

Of course there were a few things that we forgotten and didn't get done but everyting was beautiful.

Here is the first picture of the Bride and Groom having their first dance.

They are off to DisneyWorld for their honeymoon but I am sure when they get back there will be more pics and comments from the Bride and Groom on their blogs.

After almost 11 years together they finally did it and there was not a dry eyes in the house. (or backyard I should say)

I love them both.

Gads, there is alot to do.

I have been working since 7am this morning to get the house and yard ready for the "Wedding". I have the next two days off.

But I am sooo behind! What with all the rain Sunny Arizona has been having and the fact I had a killer migraine that sidelined me all of Sunday.

Then there is the "snowball effect". I do one thing and ten more things appear that need to be done.

I feel like I am spinning my wheels.

But I can see the yard coming around. The rain has made some green grow. Not bad for 6 weeks notice eh?

Mr. Fed Ex stopped by this afternoon with a Valentine from my oldest son, Josh.
Isn't she adorable! Her name is Valli, since she is a Valentine's Present.

Course "Big Head Dog" thinks that she is his. So Valli is going to get a nice spot up high on my desk shelves.

Thank you Josh! I love you!

Niki and I went to look at wedding dresses yesterday.

Brea and her had gone out on Tuesday and found a couple that they put on hold. But Niki wanted to be sure there wasn't something out there that she had not seen yet. (Which is what she should do)

So we went to 3 - 4 bridal stores and check out the mall to see if we could find anything else. We did put one on hold at another store too.

Then we went to the store that she had a dress on hold from the day her and Brea went out. She tried it on and it was "THE ONE!" Even tho the color is not white or ivory, it is a champagne color, it was perfect. It fit her just right.
The only thing she is going to do is have the shawl that comes with it made into bell sleeves. Which she took care of yesterday also.

Things are rolling along.

We have a minister AND grass!

Well . . .

and we don't yet have grass or a minister for the wedding.

Altho we are getting a few green weeds popping up.

Green weeds...

Green grass...

both look about the same in pictures when it is mowed short!

Now if we could only confirm a minister.

There is alot to do.

we will have green grass for the wedding.

Rick and I got out into the poop infested back yard today and worked our ass's off. We trimmed trees, scalped the dead lawn, cleaned the patio off and even tried to burn some of the small twigs in the chiminere. "DISASTER see final thought"

I haven't posted yet this year!

But this is worth posting!

Can you believe it? It is going to happen!

On February 29th . . .

a whoopee cushion!

First off I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful Christmas.

Mine was great. But I have sore ribs and a sore jaw.

Was I in a fight you ask? Hardly ...

The turkey is really starting to smell GOOD!

Was up at 6am to get the bird and "stuff" ing ready and into the oven. It is now about 11:45 and things are smelling right along.

House is clean and we are just waiting for the arrival of the family. There will be 9 in all unless there are some straggling homeless that drop by. That is always welcome here. The more the merrier.
Just throw on a couple more potatoes.

Turkey, potatoes and gravy, dressing (alot of it) olives, green stuff salad, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce. That's just dinner. Then there is pecan pie, pumkin cream cheese roll, and cheesecake for dessert.

So much for my Atkins diet today. Oh well there is always tomorrow.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

An old friend came by to visit today.

We went to high school together and we were two of the three musketeers. We did everything together. We survived first husbands ( and her second husband) We gave birth to 5 kids between us. (All boys by the way). She even got married to her current hubby in my back yard.

For some reason we lost touch. She moved away to live with her elderly parents things changed. We would send email once in awhile but never seemed to get together.

I had lunch with Mom today. I was really nice.

We went on an adventure and went to a new place. It was called Carlsbad Tavern on Hayden Road in Scottsdale.

Mom took me to a bar. LOL

Actually it was a great place with an awesome patio. Now that the weather is so beautiful it was wonderful sitting outside. (even a bit chilly)

I ordered a 1/2 lb green chili burger and salad and Mom ordered the "Blue Plate Special" which was a country fried steak and salad.

The meal came and Mom's steak was hanging over the plate. You should have seen her eyes. LOL Needless to say, she has her dinner too.

I would recommend this place for lunch. Lots to choose from and prices were in the mid to high range but you get LOTS of food.

Is a big name for a little baby!

But at least it isn't "Baby to be named later" anymore.

We got to the hospital about noon and met Doug right away. Caren was in the waiting area for the baby operating room.

Doug went back in with Caren and then Taylor and Meg got there. They brought along their "other" grandma and aunt (cause they needed a driver)

Well I am about ready to head out the door to get to the hospital to be there when my sister-in-law goes in for her ceasarean section. Still don't know what the name will be. Hope to have that info this afternoon. Will update you when I get home. Wish her luck.

I got an email from a friend today.

Not an unusual occurance. But this email was quite different from the usual jokes and funny pictures that I usually get from her.