Beginning of the season

After yesterday's events (Wal-Mart stampede causing an employee's death; and Toys R Us shooting causing 2 more)- my shopping buzz that has been programmed into me for the holiday season has really hit a downer. I can understand the thrill of the chase, and the retail therapy high that is achieved when you feel as if you have scored a deal while buying the "perfect" gift for someone. However, when it comes to such savage acts to achieve ones goals - the thrill of the victory is cut short. This is one of the few reasons why I start my holiday shopping early, and also why I choose not to do the before-the-break-of-dawn-black-Friday-shop-a-thons.

I don't like to feel disappointed. I hate the feeling of going to a store, wiggling my way through the crowds, finding the item I want - only to not find the right size and the sale is now over. That just frustrates and exhausts me. This has happened to me before, thus I choose not to over-stress myself anymore and I choose to avoid the Friday shopping frenzy.

I have found the cure for my need for retail therapy following Thanksgiving, however. To curb my desire to shop and spend money, I have found the best places to spend is at the hairdresser's and grocery store! Yesterday I spent almost 2 hours getting cut and colored. I was only 1 of 2 customers during this time. Last night, we hit the grocery store after dinner. There were only about 5 cars total in the lot. I got to spend money and achieve satisfaction stress-free.

Now the stress is going to resume today as we prepare to head up to Stillwater for the final game of the season - BEDLAM! Time to pack up the younger two for Aunt Kelly's house, don my silky long johns, and bring a warm blanket for snuggling in. My nose and toes will be cold, but I'm sure the fever of the game will keep me going. Go OU! and go OSU too!!!

I am thankful

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful for meeting my DH 10 years ago (on the 14th of this month in fact - he remembered, I had forgotten).

I am thankful that we have been blessed with 3 beautiful children (and the older 2 having the ability to whine and argue with each other).

I am thankful we have a wonderful house (even if it takes me 5-6 hours to clean it), cars to drive, food in the refrigerators and freezers (yes - plural here).

I am thankful that my DH has created a business that is able to provide for his family, allowing me the time to take off from teaching to be at home for our children.

I am really thankful that my family (especially my Mom and Step-dad) are so supportive of us. Basically without Mom and Bryan - I would have a very hard time handling my family of 3 and our crazy schedules.

I am also very thankful for my friends. Even though we do not get to see each other often, or even really get a chance to converse either on the phone or through e-mail, just getting a little forwarded mail or a poke on facebook lets me know that I have been thought of by you.

So on this day - my wish for you is that you and your families be blessed, stuffed, and thanked today and always during this holiday season.

Slow to respond... but catching on.

Okay - so my friend tagged me last Thursday to do a book meme response, but I have failed miserably. The first challenge was to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences. The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL! However, the only books I have had near me at the time were children's board books. They generally do not go past page 8. So today I decided I had a quick chance to play. I have reached into my cabinet in the hallway that acts as my bookshelf, and the first thing I grabbed is the Life Application Bible for Students. This book was my DH's from his college days (must have been before his pre-partying time where he damaged school property and was suspended from OSU - but that is another story and one he really should tell). So here is what I have....

We promise to do something, be somewhere, or give something. And when others make promises to us, we expect them to keep their word. If not we become angry, disappointed, and even heartbroken. The book of Exodus is all about promises: God's promises to his people.

I was tagged to do another book meme, but there is no way I have time, nor the intellectual acuity to even attempt this one right now. If you want to know what it is, just check out http://greggdigressions.blogspot.com/2008/11/two-book-memes-and-partridge-in-aoh.html

On another note. Tomorrow is Turkey day. I'll be stuffing myself into some clothes to further stuff myself on food at my sister's house. My DH is actually going to make it to this one. I wonder if it will be his last? I'm headed over to my mom's today to have her help me prep food for our feast. Thanksgiving has never been the same since being married and having to go elsewhere, rather than at my mom's. Thank goodness she is still around to help make her pie crusts and dressing.

Saturday is the big Bedlam bash. I am still in a rut about what to wear. I know, it is a football game - not a fashion contest. However, when you have 2 degrees from one school, but go to the other's football games seasonally, you get into a conundrum about which colors to sport. Maybe I should just blow everything out of the water and wear pink. Not that I own any - but wouldn't that be a site on TV! Yes - you will probably catch glimpses of us whenever they show OU's sidelines. We are on the west 40 mark - right behind the wall.

Time to shower the kids, myself (yes - I do bathe regularly - so you don't have to comment about that), and gather up the goodies for my mom's house. In a sad way, I am ready for Thanksgiving to be over and for Christmas to be here already. But HAPPY STUFFING to all of you, anyways!

Crappy Crud

cough, cough, cough

I love my children

cough, cough

And I know they love me too. They love me so much that they share their crud with me. KD had sinusitis last week - antibiotics and back and running in no time. JT ran a fever for 3 days, still has an occasional cough, but that is primarily just because of his asthma. Yet his appetite and energy level never altered much - just took a short nap every day. Ry-Ry was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe croup and had to be placed on steroids. The poor thing was so hoarse from a swollen larynx that when he tried to cry - no sound came out.

My larynx is experiencing the same problems, so I sound froggy (but not in a good way). Last night, I almost lost my voice completely. I have never lost my voice for any reason. Even as a teenager when you try screaming and yelling as long and as loud as you can at a sporting event - mine would never be affected. Not so now.

My DH made a doctor's appointment for me today. One of his workers has the flu and with all of us getting sick all at once, he was concerned that he brought the flu-bug home and I got it. No luck. I know - who wants the flu? But at least then I would be prescribed something. Instead I was told today that since I am breastfeeding, I just have to tough it out. Get sleep, take Tylenol or Motrin, maybe some throat lozenges if they seem to help, and you should be better in 1-2 weeks.

I will be one crappy-pissed-off-momma though if this cold crud holds me back from my Girl's Night Out this Sunday. cough, cough But at least I love my girlfriends enough that I do not want to be sharing it with them.

P.S. As I was reviewing my spelling - I realized I had typed the word "couch" instead of "cough" a couple of times. I know a sign when I see one. Now where is my blanket???

Still Going Strong

I am still going strong. My daughter seemed to have started the crud in the family, passed it on to the baby and older son, and husband was sick to his stomach 1 day - however, I have been illness free.

Lucky Me.

Yes - imagine sarcasm dripping off of those two little words.

I have been quarantined to the house, and I am not the one sick here! Kadence has thankfully been able to escape to school the past two days as I had taken her to the doctor and she is now on antibiotics. Jarod - I can't figure out. He is running a low grade fever that is manageable with Motrin, but is still vivacious and hungry. Ryland - is snot-nosed, and always seems hungry as well. We are in another growth spurt - either that or I need to stop denying him and start on the baby food (ew - green poop).

Hastings has become my new best friend of entertainment, but I am kicking myself for not signing up for Nexflicks earlier instead of paying ridiculous prices for crappy kid films. (Warning to everyone - DO NOT RENT "CATS"! Even my daughter lost interest)

Keep your fingers crossed that we will start off next week happy and healthy, as I am needing an opportunity to break out of my home.

Sans Dear Husband

My DH is gone for the next 4 days. He is off pheasant hunting somewhere in Kansas with his Dad, brother, nephew, and other guys. A manly trip, and a much needed one for him. So that leaves me home.........alone.......... with my kiddos.

YIPPEE!!!!

We are so excited - strange to say. Except for watching OU and OSU playing football tomorrow, the rest of the TV time is ours. Plus, we get to eat all the glorious fruit and foods that we like - and daddy doesn't.

Sad, isn't it? We get excited when he leaves so that we can have pancakes and fruit for dinner, rent kid flicks and eat popcorn in the living room, and get the ice cream that we like - and he doesn't.

Don't get me wrong - we are all missing my DH now. He is the best bedtime book reader, Singulair dispenser, and diaper changer I can have! But it is a great release to act like a kid - with my kids. Maybe we will have our living room sleepover party, as KD likes to call it.

Partial Part-Time Cleaner Needed

I have decided that there is a strong need in today's society for partial, part-time cleaners. Why this has not already been marketed is beyond me. I mean, really - I can take care of my house. It may take me twice as long as my old home, since it is twice the size, but it is still manageable. I am also capable of doing everything necessary to ensure that my home is habitable for my family. Dishes and laundry are a daily bore - I mean chore, but this is accomplished with little grumbling (with maybe a beer or two). However, if there was ever a need in my household, it would be simply that I am in need of a partial, part-time cleaner.

I need someone to clean my bathrooms and tile floor every week, maybe even every 2 weeks. That's it. Nothing more. Only a partial house cleaning, on a part-time basis. I really do not mind dusting or vacuuming. My children even like helping with these tasks. But I HATE sweeping and mopping the tile in my house and scrubbing the dirty toilets. No amount of martinis make these tasks any easier either. I know, I have children you say. I have trained them to scrub the toilets too, you say. But, I just really dislike these tasks and it takes all of my efforts to even get the supplies out and ready for cleaning.

It doesn't help my plight that we went from 2 toilets to 4, nor the fact that there is a huge amount of tile in my entryway, kitchen, halls, utility and storage room, and bathrooms. So, if anyone knows of a good, reliable, partial, part-time cleaner - PLEASE give them my name and number.

Hey - if my husband can have a guy mow his lawn, so that he can play golf every weekend. Then I think I can afford this luxury too (especially since mowing season is over)!

Finally Kayne!

Okay, I am FINALLY able to write about Kayne and his Kayne9 collection and evening wear fashion show that I attended several weeks ago. Pictures included! I have found myself extremely busy lately, and I cannot fathom from what. Except for the fact that my baby is growing so fast and now is demanding personal playtime, not just cuddles anymore.

Anyways........ on to the good stuff. I was really wondering how much I would enjoy seeing a doggie clothing line, but how everything was presented, the champagne, the lighting, the gift bags on your chair - you couldn't help but feel special and delighted at the night's events. Not to mention that Kayne has a beautiful evening gown line - a couple I would yearn to wear myself, but somehow prancing around in a pretty dress in my bedroom wouldn't do the gowns justice (although my DH would enjoy the show, especially with the little black number). Kayne is really an adorable guy in person. He is charming, friendly, and makes you smile to be around him. It was such a pleasure getting to me such a wonderful man.

Seeing such creativity on display got my fingers itching to do something as well. I haven't picked up my knitting needles in so long, and this event has just brought back my previous desire when I started knitting last year and created backpacks for my husband's nieces, as well as hats for myself and my kids when we went snow skiing last March. I have had a desire for a long time to do some knitting for dogs, since my dad and step-mom have a little terrier and now a little poodle, which my step-mom likes to dress. I also want to do baby shoes, but those always seem cuter on little girls. My daughter with her huge size 10 toddler feet do not inspire me to create anything but maybe a pair of slippers for her. Now if I can just discipline myself to sit down, get my creative juices going, and actually produce some decent crafts, maybe I could do a little entrepreneurship on the side. Hmmmm

Although my first item would be a gift to Kayne and his little girl, Tiara, as a thank you for letting me attend the event. I'm thinking either a felted collar with imitation pearls, or a sassy sweater. Now where are those needles again???