Rewind....A Few Days!!

Here are some pictures of our trek to the frozen tundra of ND/MN. It was 68 degrees when we left on Friday, the 19th. Then........

The temp when we left the 2oth from KS. The further north we rode, the colder it got!!!
Bundle up, baby!!!! It's cold outside!!!



Couldn't resist taking this picture for my sista friend, IRENE :-) We follow directions real well!!!

Merry Christmas from the frozen tundra of ND!!!

It certainly is WHITE here!!! And frigid!!! Kiddos are loving it!! Layer up, bundle up, shovel in hand or sled, and they are off!! Only rule is that they have to have a buddy with them if they are "tunneling" through a snowbank. Vents are covered with wet gloves, hats, boot liners....you get the picture. Picture, you say? Yes, I will be posting tons of pictures in the coming days. If you are reading this, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas or Big, depends on how good you have been all year. Be safe and SMILE!!!

Time to UPDATE!! I have slacked way too long....

So much craziness since I posted last. My new job is wonderful!! And I love it lots!! I am off til after the NEW YEAR, lucky me!!! So that means finishing the last of the Christmas shopping. Packing for our trip up to the frozen tundra of ND/MN. Hard to get into the spirit when the temps here are in the upper 60s!! But the wind outside sure sounds like a blizzard. There are more leaves inside the house than outside. The dogs are to blame since those dang sticky leaves attach to their fur. Ruger sports more leaves than the trees and he doesn't seem to mind. The vaccum is working overtime cuz I can't stand the crunch of the leaves under foot. Ok, so I only vaccumed four leaves today but enough already.

Boys enjoyed a fun hunting expedition last weekend. Mom got the whole weekend to herself. She rearranged furniture/rooms so she could put the Christmas stuff up. Lights twinkle, garland with bows, Christmas tree ornaments for us to enjoy. Haven't spotted Ruger lifting his leg by the tree!! Christmas card pictures arrived yesterday. Labels were bought today cuz MOM isn't handwriting the envelopes, NO WAY!!

Spencer and I volunteered today. We helped out at the HOLIDAY STOREHOUSE. I helped families shop for their kids while Spencer helped load the goods into their cars. We take for granted the things that we have. I heard different stories from the director there. It broke my heart to hear the story of how one mom cried that her child would have something under the tree to open on Christmas morning. The boys are not exchanging gifts this year. They are going to shop and donate so other kids can have a good Christmas.

Extreme Makeover Edition is here in town . It has been the talk all week. We haven't gone by yet but plan to Sunday. Monday is the big "Bus Driver, MOVE THAT BUS!!!" day.

Say It's Your Birthday!!! Well, It's My Birthday Too, Yeah!! Well, Not Til January But Hey!!!

My little brother, Eric, celebrated his birthday last week. The above picture was taken this summer and yes, he is TALL!! I always look foward and love the big bear hugs I get when I see him. He has to bend over to hug me but then stands straight with me hanging on for dear life and my feet wondering where the ground went. Guess I am the one who gives the bear hug!!! He is my little brother in years (three if you are wondering) and I love him dearly!!! We look nothing alike except for our noses. Oh, and maybe, the freckles......XOXOXOXOXO

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was great!! It was wonderful not having to get up with the "TURKEYS" ahem...I mean "CHICKENS" to get the bird in the oven. For the last four years, we have given the bird the hot oil treatment (also known as deep frying). This is the only way I'll eat white meat. The bird is just so juicy and yummy. And it only took 54 minutes to bath the bird.

Our neighbors, Scott, Mary, and Christa, joined us for the feast. It was delish and we are so thankful to have such great neighbors/friends.

After the feast, we played games. Darts, pool, apples to apples, and spoons. We laughed so hard.

Dessert was also a highlight. Apple, blueberry swirl dessert, and pumpkin pie. And PLENTY of REDI WHIP!!! Oh, YEAH!!!

What A Party!!

Not really meaning "GOODBYE"

(Heavy sigh....)Today has held a lot of emotions for me. Today was my last day as a Media Assistant at NE TCC. I will be starting, Monday morning, my new job as an Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Teaching and Learning at the TCC Trinity River Campus. And I am so PUMPED!!! I can't wait to join the great team that is already in place but to also be a part of getting this campus ready for Fall 2009 opening.

Although, I am so excited for this new adventure, I am also very sad to leave my NE family. I have learned so much from all of them. Everyone, in the Media Department, is dear to my heart!! We have laughed, cried, complained, joked, ate and ate, laughed some more, dropped the phone upon answering it, wrestled with the copier, said some not so nice things to the fax machine, spilled coffee or diet coke with lime, decorated our office for the holidays, shared birthday milestones, grilled out in the summer (which can't happen anymore cuz the grill was stolen), rearranged a cubby's work area while they were away from their desk, had each other's back when an issue would pop up.........the list could go on and on!!!

I will miss hearing Crabby, Abster, Abs, Debbie, and Gabby. I will miss announcing in the mornings, "I AM HERE!!" Saying "MORNING" all week til Friday arrived and then would say, "GOOD MORNING!!"

Monday will be quiet in Media. I just might have to call and be put on speaker phone and say, "You can't get rid of me that easily. I AM HERE but at TRC!!!"

I will also miss the friends I have made. There are many!!! And all are SPECIAL to me. I hope those friendships continue. But I also know from moving from state to state that some of those friendships start to fade. That is why saying or meaning "GOODBYE" can be a real bummer. One must make an effort, though, to continue that friendship. And that is WHAT I fully intend to DO!!!

My Twin/Sister?

What do you think? Chanda my twin? Auntie comments all the time of how Chanda and I could be twins or at least SISTERS!!! How lucky am I to have such a sweet, funny, beautiful CHANDA in my family!!! We giggle at the same things. I don't get to see her but once or twice a year. This was taken this summer and boy, do I sure miss my tan!!!
Troy Boy or Duvis (my blog, my spelling) is what I call him. Troy Boy has/will always be my kindred spirit cousin. Since he is a MEDIUM, he should already know this....right? The name Duvis was crowned upon Troy as a small boy. He and I would always play at Grandpa and Grandma Cink's place. Singing, playing house, bugging the other two boys, we were always together. Great memories we have and more to come. Just like our visit this summer!! Oh, and I almost forgot, Duvis is married to my Chanda Sister above.
Now, here are the real sisters, can you tell? They really are silly sisters. They call each other Mrs.
What can I say, I fit right in. Aren't those family genes just great???!!!

For The Birds.......

NO" means "NO"...right? But in Smack's world it means NON STOP asking!! Everyday, I want to get a PARAKEET!!! Our answer has been NO! That doesn't set well with Smack. Phone calls, text messages (thank goodness we have unlimited texting)....it is driving me to the point of NUTS!!!

I have shared this saga with my CUBBY at work. Friday late morning, I stepped away from my cubby desk and when I returned a few minutes later, this is WHAT I FOUND!!!

Yes!! My cubby space was invaded by PARAKEETS!!! And on top of that, my cubby buddy thought it would be just HILARIOUS to have my work-friends email HELPFUL tips on PARAKEETS!! From how to train "the bird" to slam dunk a bird basketball to teaching it naughty words, "YOU HAVE NEW MAIL" was continuous!!

Our answer is still NO!! And I am holding my ground for now!!! HAHA!

Halloween 2008!!

Ghosts and Goblins, candy and fun.....they all make for a "spook"tacular time!!! Our intake of sugar has increased so much these days. So its more salads and apples to offset the gain!! Consistent reminders to put the chocolate up as three dogs would LOVE to feast on the loot!! But from what the VET says, "CHOCOLATE BAD for dogs no matter what!" That leaves more for us and I can't complain. Chocolate is mommy's favorite treat to eat!! She only wishes it wouldn't go to her hips. If mommy finds another wrapper left on the ground, she will take what is left to work and share and say that the Halloween Witch came and claimed the loot! She left you a new toothbrush and some great tasting floss.....your 6 month dentist visit is in a couple weeks...you better be brushing both morning and night!!!

5+5=10

Picture this....10 years ago (10/25/98), a mommy, her 4 year old twin boys and 3 month old boy, head out to the nearby park. It is a beautiful FALL day in northern OHIO. Camera in hand, go figure, she is trigger happy. What a great photo for a CHRISTMAS card!! Snap!!

Five years later (10/25/2003), on another beautiful FALL day in northeast GEORGIA, three little boys spend their Saturday morning, playfully raking leaves!! Dad says to mom, "Take a picture like the one on the fridge from OHIO." Mom grabs the picture and her camera and heads out to the backyard. On her way down the deck stairs, she looks at the OHIO picture and realizes that it is EXACTLY to the date that the OHIO picture was snapped. She is giddy!! She has the little guys line up like they were FIVE years earlier!! Snap!!

Add FIVE years (10/25/2008) and picture an 80 degree FALL day in TEXAS and you have this minus the leaves as there are only about 15 leaves total in the yard.......SNAP!!!

Just Call Me Shutterbug!!!

I just can't help it!!! I LOVE my PURPLE CONE FLOWERS. This past weekend, I couldn't resist not capturing a little visitor that was also enjoying the PCFs!!!

The Bean

I am such a slacker.....The BEAN has grown!!! I transplanted it this weekend into a bigger pot and added a trellis to climb on. Will post that shot soon!!

My BFF Karen!!

The OTHER Kiddos!!!

I Am IT!!! I have been tagged!!!

Sara has started a mean game of tag. The rules are to list 7 interesting, bizarre, wacky facts or things about yourself. I feel 7 doesn't quite cover my corkiness but I will play by the rules....maybe.

1) I am an 80s FREAK!!! Some of you know this but I CAN'T get enough of it. The boys roll their eyes when I crank the tunes in the van. They have finally caught on to bring their IPODs with earphones along for the ride.

2) I love Diet Coke with LIME!!! Coffee, no way!! There is nothing like cracking an ice cold Diet Coke with LIME in the morning!!! AAHHH.....gulp, gulp!!!

3) I hate cats!! Sorry, cat lovers but I am allergic for one thing. And second, I have this reoccurring dream that they are biting at my hands and feet. I know this means something and I am sure someone out there has a book that can define what THAT is.

4) I am from North Dakota-dontcha know!!! And I DO NOT like the cold or the snow. I know, WHAT?!! come on!!! I guess living in GA and now TX has changed my threshold for the stuff. Yes, the snow is pretty and white. Yes, my perfect Christmas Eve dream is seeing ginormous snow flakes lightly falling to the ground, family arriving with gifts in hand, Christmas music playing in the background, kids laughing and playing (no fighting at ALL), gingerbread cookies waiting to be decorated and a feast to fill our tummies!! But I do not miss having to get the orange extension cord out and hoping that it is long enough to reach the outdoor outlet so that I can connect to the heater block so that in the morning, the car will start. And I do not miss having to bundle up still in my jammies to go out in the AM and with fingers crossed, to start the car 30 minutes before leaving, to crank the defrost and heat!!!

5) My favorite time on the weekend is NAP TIME!!! There is nothing like crawling into my bed, shades drawn, white noise playing and cuddling up!!

6) I love flowers. Any kind!! I love working the soil and reaping the rewards. It is my therapy!!

7) I have small ears!! I think they are the same size as when I was born. I don't look funny but they are small. Having long hair now, tucking my hair behind my ears is a problem. It just won't stay!!!

I will tag others tomorrow, as I need to get to bed!! Oh, and here I go not following the rules...8) I hate my alarm clock!!!!

Suz

Eileen

Karen

I'M BACK!! HAVE YOU MISSED ME?

Let's just call it slacking, book reading, taxi driving, visiting with friends, sleeping, shopping, cleaning, baseball watching (Playoffs) life these past few weeks. I have several posts to share but am waiting for the CALL from Frick and Frack that the football game is over and to come and get them. They are probably soaked to the bone since 5 minutes after dropping them off, it started to pour!! Frick called to say the game was put on hold but not called since no lightning was seen. I just hope that they found shelter under the stands at the stadium.

Smack just made me laugh!! We are watching the Sox and Rays play and he is stretched across one of the chairs, smacking on an oversized piece of Bubble Yum. He slaps his leg (CRACK!!!) and I look at him with OMG! What in the world? He looks at my puzzled and concerned face and says, "MOSQUITO!!" Where does Smack get his material??

Thanks, Scott!!

This past summer, part of our sidewalk between our neighbors, Scott and Mary, had to be replaced. The "cement guys" came and set up forms and poured the new sidewalk pad.

Frick, Frack and Smack watched as the "CG" pulled away and pointed to the freshly, smoothed cement and shook their fingers back and forth (the universal sign for WET CEMENT. DO NOT TOUCH!!) Ah...yeah RIGHT!!! Three hand prints soon were drying in the summer heat. Ten minutes later, the "CG" pulled up to check the curing pad. Out came their tools and with a couple of swipes, the three hand prints were no more.

Neighbor Scott had observed all this and made his way to the "CG" with a bag full of adult beverages. The tools were put up and a blind eye was turned as Frick, Frack and Smack repeated their "HAND-Y" work.