After looking at my family pictures this weekend, I decided I must do something about this hippo body I have created. I am getting serious, folks, and I need all the support I can get.
I am under the care of a wonderful physician who has put me on a very strict diet (ouch) and I am going to do my best not to cheat! My goal is to lose 100 lbs hopefully within a year! You guys are going to have to push me and get on my butt but I know that I can do it!
Ok so I have decided to start selling something new! I am still doing the bows...however the company is not really in existence anymore and the bowmaker is just making the bows for me as I order. So, I'm not going to be marketing quite as much as before.
HOWEVER, I found a new addiction! This one is something I will use at home, at work, in the car, and when I travel...what is it????
SCENTSY!!!
So they are wickless candles which means they are SAFER! They operate on a low watt lightbulb that melts the wax and smells oohhhhh so good. The wax is hot enough to melt but will not burn little fingers if they find their way in. They also carry car candles (similar to yankee), room sprays, plug ins and more!
Visit my brand new site for details...you can order online or let me know if there's something you like. Also, the first 5 people to book parties will get DOUBLE hostess rewards! :)
Well our trip to Tennessee has come and gone..
I haven't even uploaded the pictures yet so if that is what you came looking for I am sorry. Let me give you a rundown of the trip..
Thursday: Left around noon, picked up a rental car in Joplin, drove to Popular Bluff, MO and went to visit BJ & Regina Mense and their family. Had dinner with them...then headed to Metropolis, IL to Harrah's casino. We lost a lot of money there, tried to get some beer at a gas station - no luck - I drove the boys to Kentucky (about 3 miles away) so they could get beer then we went back to Ill. to our motel.
Friday: Got up and around early to head to NASHVILLE! First stop - Pancake Pantry. Waited for about 30 min but it sure was worth it, yum yum! We then went to Centennial Park and visited the Parthanon. Next we headed down south for a quick drive by of Alan Jackson's house or uh mansion. Next stop: Grand Ole Opry, went to the Opry house and then on to Gaylord Opryland. There we walked around and had a drink. Next we headed to WHITE CASTLE! Loaded up on burgers and checked into our room downtown. After relaxing for a bit, we started out visiting the bars on broadway then around 2nd Ave and up to Demos. I LOVE THAT PLACE. Yummy food. Next we went back to the bars, specifically Coyote Ugly, until I finally retired back to the hotel around midnight. Not sure what time Fred and JoeDel came in! :)
Saturday: Headed to Bristol!!! We had a brief stop in Knoxville due to a not so nice Police officer. Yes, JoeDel got a ticket and I will not tell you how fast he was going! We finally made it to Bristol though and it was a wonderful time. The race was pretty good but the atmohsphere was WONDERFUL. I have never experienced something like this but would do it again in a heartbeat! Following the Kyle Busch show, we headed back to Knoxville. We got to our hotel around 3am (yuck) then left again early Sunday for an all day drive (and a stop at white castle) back home.
It was a LONG trip but it was a really good trip. We sure were excited to see Avery!
It's back to work this week and next but then we are headed to Florida for the cruise! Yippie! I'm not sure if my old body can handle this many vacays right in a row!
It's been so long since I blogged that I honestly forgot my password! oops!
Anyway, here I am. It's Tuesday and in just 3 (hopefully short) days, I will be in NASHVILLE, TN!!!!! I am really excited about this trip b/c #1) JoeDel has never been there and I think he's gonna love it and #2) I haven't been there in a REALLY LONG TIME...I'm thinking like the Mohawk Colorcenter convention before I met JoeDel...that was 4 1/2 years ago. Good grief that is a long time!
We are leaving on Thursday afternoon and driving to Metropolis, Il where we will visit the Harrah's casino (that is joedels idea). THEN, we are leaving EARLY Friday morning for breakfast at the Pancake Pantry in NASHVILLE! We're spending the day there seeing the sites then staying the night downtown and bar hoping.
On Sat. morning, bright and early, we are headed to BRISTOL, TN for the Sprint Cup race in which we have seats on the Start/Finish line! Here's what my view will be...
We have three ticket so you will never guess who is going with us...Uncle Freddy! That's right Fred Geier (aka Mr. Geier to some) is going to be on this adventure with us and I can't wait. He's in for a real thrill!
Watch out Tennessee, here we come!
This is a crazy busy week and guess where I am right now? On my couch at home SICK. I went to work this morning but I feel so nasty I came home early. JoeDel was sick last night so it must be something going around but it is NO FUN.
I'm looking forward to being OVER this by tomorrow so I can hear my bestie Christi share at our church tomorrow night. Wed. is moms birthday, we are going to the fair thursday, who knows friday and MARLA will be home Saturday. shew.
Ok thats all I got for now. Don't feel well enough to type more. :(
As I sit here I am bawling like a baby over a stinking Taylor Swift song. Amy, I know you it well so hopefully you can relate but good grief I don't know why its hitting me so hard today...
The song is called "the best day" and it is about the relationship between a girl and her mom. It's about how when she was 5 years old and going to the pumpkin patch and falling asleep on the way home. It is about the innocence of being a child. The next verse is about the trials of a teenage girl. How her friends were mean to her and her mom is the one that is there for her and takes her to do something so fun that she forgets about all the drama at school.
This song reminds me so much of my relationship with my mom. I think I have the best mom in the world. She's always been there for me though every single thing and she has ALWAYS been on my side even when I was way wrong. Growing up it was me and my mom. That's it. Yes I had other family but on a day to day basis it was me and it was her and as I grew up it was often just her as I was out and about doing my own thing.
Anyway, that's not really the reason I'm crying. The end says "I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run and hide....I had the best days with you....There is a video I found from back when i was three...you set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me....its the age of princess and pirate ships and the 7 dwarfs...and daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world"
The truth is my little girl is growing up faster than I can hardly bear and I sit here thinking about how I will NEVER get these days back. We go through the day to day motions, most of the time so rushed we can't even sit and enjoy life. We're running her and there and everywhere. I'm missing out on so much b/c I am here at work everyday but then again my mom gets to re-live all those things with Avery. I was her little girl once too and I'm so thankful that she is the one enjoying her when I can't. I'm just sitting here thinking about how when Avery reads her princess books she always points to the prettiest princess and says "Mama!" I am so far from perfect. I do not deserve to have such a wonderful little blessing to love on everyday. But she loves me just for the way I am and I can only hope that one day she will be able to say that she had the best day with me, today...
My hope is that I will be able to be the best mom I can ever be for her and that someday she will realize even when I was "mean" it wall in her best interest to help her be polite and learn.
This last weekend was a big huge blur. It started on Friday with a trip to Buffalo Run to see my boys. It had been way too long since I'd seen Gary, JoeDon and Jay. They were as sweet as ever and it was so nice to see them again and be able to tell them just how proud I am of how far they have come!
Saturday, I had to work in Butler and Mom & Avery tagged along with me. Saturday night was Louie's wedding and Karolyn Hanks and Andrea Boatman rode over with Avery & I. We were in a hurry and shouldn't have been. Mr. Kansas State Trooper pulled me over and wrote me out a big fat ticket. My first one ever. I cried.
Anyway, that was that. I was happy to get to spend some time this weekend with Amy and her girls as well as see Jenny and her boys.
Other than that I don't have a lot to report. My mom had my dog of like 15 years put to sleep on Friday night while I was at the concert and she didn't warn me! I was sad but it was probably better that way. Thanks Josh & Chris Crocker for giving me Petey all those years ago! She was a good girl.
I took yesterday off and SLEPT IN! It was great. I did get up this morning (at the first alarm beep - not even one snooze!) and go for my final day on week one. It still sucked. Technically I should be ready to start the week 2 steps. However, b/c I am huge and utterly out of shape, I think I am going to modify this plan to "Remedial couch to 5K" and repeat week 1 again. I just don't think I'm ready to increase my time. Maybe by this time next week I will be a little better but not yet.
Nothing else new. I am going to see RASCAL FLATTS tomorrow and am beyond pumped. its been FOREVER since I've seen them. Please pray for NO RAIN and safe travels for Amy and her girls as they head to SEK today.
I'll leave you with random shots of our recent stakeout in the storm shelter and Audrey's going away party.
I have learned something worth sharing with the entire world...
I.....cannot....run
This is no fun at all. My legs hurt, my back hurts, my knee hurts and I HATE IT! But, I did survive day 2. I'm tempted to go back to the couch but I guess I will see what the next day brings.
I HURT!
Well I started a new "training" program today. It's called from the Couch to 5K and the credit goes to my friend Sarah Stevens. Day 1 sucked and I hope i make it to day 2. haha.
It sounded REALLY easy. Walk 5 min then run 60 seconds, walk 90, run 60, walk 90, etc until you've gone for 20 min. Ok it was much harder than it sounded. It kicked my butt. But, I feel much better for doing it and am ready to tackle tomorrow. I will be happy if I can get to running a whole mile w/out stopping, let alone a 5K!!! We'll see. Wish me luck.
My friend Kim is selling at home america. Right now they are having a HUGE clearance sale on a lot of really cute items. These are good deals, fellas.
June Sizzling Summertime SALE!!
HEre's what to do...
1. Click on the link
http://www.myathomeamerica.com/ahatools/catalog/sale.aspx?view=TV
2. Decide what you want to purchase, let me know and I will get the info to Kim. I'll need your credit card number and expiration date.
3. Contact me as soon as possible to put in your orders...it is first come first serve and some things will go fast.
There are no refunds on these items.
Have fun shopping!
Our little Carter girl served as the Mission Days Princess this year! Isn't she beautiful!
Do you recognize the dress? It's the same one she wore in our wedding THREE years ago! 
I'm pretty sure Ryan wouldn't fit into that Tux today! :)
Avery and I met up w/ JoeDel on Saturday down at the lake. We had a fun couple of days down there hanging out with friends and family and just relaxing. We took the boat out on Sunday and that was nice for sure!
I'll leave you with something that I see DAILY in our house. Avery just can't get enough of Mommy & Daddy's shoes!
My kid is a genius.
I was sitting her tonight talking to JoeDel and said "oh guess what your kid did today? She tried to B-I-T-E Avinelle"
Yes, I spelled it out.
Avery looked over at me like I was a freaking idiot and said "I bite mama. bite bite bite bite"
HELLO! How in the world?!
Anyway, Grammy got on her pretty hardcore so hopefully she won't be trying that for a long time to come.
So my watch broke on me last Saturday. It was a fairly new watch (purchased the weekend of Marla's wedding). I really liked it though...but after numerous attempts at fixing it, I just gave up. I decided I was going to try to live life w/ out the constant reminder of "time" on my left wrist.
That was Saturday, this is Wednesday.
I just bought a new watch. I just couldn't do it. I felt naked in the mornings. I felt lost on my way to work and at lunch (even though I have a cell phone on me at all times that will tell me the time).
I went to alco on my lunch break and came out with a $12.99 super cute find. It will probably last as long as the last one (hopefully longer) but I don't care. I'm happy for now and that is all that matters!!!!!
Oh, and something good did come of all this. I took a super cute clock out of hanks office and put on my office wall, along with my 5 year of service certificate and my Mohawk University diploma. One of these days maybe I'll get my "REAL" college diploma framed and put up in here too. We'll see. If I do that though, I might have to pretend to be a grown up and remove my NKOTB poster and KennyChesney/Rascal Flatts posters. :)
Just this weekend I had the chance to live out one of my favorite Garth Brooks songs - Unanswered Prayers. Here's my little revision.
Just the other night...at a hometown football game graduation
My wife kid and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldnt help but think of the way things used to be.She He was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin that God would make her him mine
And if He'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again.SheHe wasnt quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her his eyes too it seemedWe tried to talk about the old days We talked about our current livesThere wasnt much we could recall We have nothing in common, at all
I guess the lord knows what he's doin after all.
And as she he walked away and I looked at my wife little girl
And then and there I thanked the good lord
For the gifts in my life.
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when youre talkin to the man upstairs
That just because he doesnt answer doesnt mean he dont care
Some of gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
-----------------------
Ok so it really wasn't that dramatic at all, I just hadn't seen this person in YEARS. Obviously JoeDel didn't go to the graduation w/ me or else I wouldn't have had to change so many words. lol.
Anyway, we had a nice weekend. Avery and I hung out w/ Audrey and her crew and Sarah on Saturday. Maddie got her ears pierced and looks SO CUTE! Saturday night, I hung out w/ Sally, Susan and Amy J. for a little old time country cruising and fun. Joe came along too (you don't know joe yet, but I will post pictures soon).
Sunday, Avery and I went to the Callaways to celebrate Brandon's graduation. Can you believe little Brandon Callaway is a GHS Graduate? I so remember the day he was born. sigh. After the graduation, I went home and went to bed! I have been fighting a cold/sinus infection for a week or so now and it's really trying to get the best of me. I slept in today and after a negative attempt at trying to get into the doctor, I'm here at work.
Happy Monday!
It is HOT here today and Avery is ready for SUMMER! Check her out in her shorts and tanktop. This little sweetheart is growing up too fast.
My weekend kicked off GREAT as I went straight from work to visit Kole Eugene Harris and his proud mommy and daddy in the hospital! Congratulations Jeanna & Nick - he is so precious and I can hardly wait till I get to see him again. You guys are awesome parents already!!!!
Saturday I went garage sale-ing in Girard. Last week I went to Pittsburg and spent a whopping 75 cents the ENTIRE day. It SUCKED! Girard was much, much better! I found some cute clothes for the sugar, a new yardswing for my mom, a dora doll, a scooby doll, a little pink wagon for avery to pull her dolls in, and I'm just not sure what else. It was fun though!
Saturday night, Avery, JoeDel and I went out to eat with our friends Dave & Amy then we retreated back to our house to watch the Nascar race (which we feel asleep before it was over).
Yesterday we got up and decided to go to Joplin! We took Daddy to ChuckyCheese for the first time. Luckily we got there about 11 on a Sunday and it was quiet! Avery had fun but so did we! We then did a little shopping at the mall (and I found some great sales at Gymboree, yippie!), and then to eat at our alltime favorite place - Cheddars.
It was just a nice weekend with my little family. Here are a few pics.
Ok the cookie thing was not serious. Mom would never sell her cookies b/c she just gives them away! I told her I was going to do this and she threw a big fit, which is why I priced them a little higher than I normally would have if I would have been serious. Anyway, it was a fun little tease and the reactions were priceless!
IN OTHER NEWS -
We have a new HMS baby! Congrats to Nick and Jeanna on the birth of baby Kole Eugene, born today at 4:06am, 8lbs 2ounces, 21 1/4 inches long! :)
Nothing else to report at this time. UNtil later.
Ok this is going to seem a little crazy to most of you! I have been trying to get my mom to start charging for her cookies for awhile now. She bakes them for every tom, dick and harry that asks her and she loves doing it but chocolate chips are EXPENSIVE now and so is crisco and, well, everything has just gone up. So, we've figured out a way for her to make her money back instead of just giving them away. I am sure that if you ask her really, really nice she would still make cookies for free but hopefully this will at least help fund her Sams bill on cookie supplies!
So, without further ado, I present to you...
mamasaracookies.blogspot.com
Obviously I am running this for her as she doesn't have a clue about the internet. :)
Please say some prayers for my big brother, Denny.
He feel off a truck last saturday, broke his L1 vertebre and also some ribs. He had surgery on Monday and that went well. However, he now has a blockage that is not allowing him to, for lack of a better word, poop. He has a stomach tube in right now trying to drain everything out and get rid of the blockage. So, please pray that this WORKS so he can go home soon. He is very, very miserable right now.
Seeing my big brother in that hospital bed is not easy. I hate to see anyone I love like that but when its my brother it also brings back memories of my dad when he was sick. Obviously Denny does not have anything that serious (or so we hope) but its still a little scary. I just want him better and I want him at home.
Part 1:
JoeDel and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary last night. We went out to eat and went to the casino where we lost more money than I care to admit. It was fun though, that's what I keep telling myself, and we are not going back for a long, LONG time!
It is hard to believe we have been married for three years when really it seems like we have always been together. I think we both were really lucky in the sense that we both lived our own separate, independent lives before we ever found each other. I have so many fun memories of college life and even the first few years of my career life. I was able to be young, carefree, (stupid), and just enjoy being ME. He was the same way, only he had a few more years that I did to enjoy himself, his buddies, his hunting addictions, his fishing addictions, etc. :) When we found each other, we complemented each other and merged those lives together. I miss the crazy weekends with my girls just as he misses not being able to just go off with his buddies for a weekend at the drop of a hat. We wouldn't trade our life together for anything though! I love you JoeDel!!!!!
---------
Part 2:
By now, we all know what comes next after we talk about our anniversary. I blogged about it HERE last year and I'm just not sure what all I can add to make the story any different. I lost a dear friend that day, Christi lost her husband and Josiah lost his Daddy. My heart breaks in a million pieces when I think about how Avery is practically the exact same age (plus just a few days) right now that Josiah was when Ian died. I try to put myself there but I can't even imagine. I cannot EVEN IMAGINE what that was like for you, Christi. Avery is a complete daddy's girl. She thinks he will save her and goes running to him when she's in trouble. I ask her if she is Mommy's girl and she automatically says "Daddy's girl" How would i ever be able to comfort that sweet little girl if Daddy was not ever coming back, especially while trying to live my life without my best friend?
Right now I am sitting here thinking about how I should have dropped everything to be with you, Christi. The thing is, though, that I know you were never alone. You had the best family ever, and the best friends there to be with you and mostly you had our loving Savior right there holding you up. I think about it now, and I know every move you made was with God's strength. That doesn't justify the fact that I wasn't there, but I also didn't know if you would want to be around me. At that time, there was so much guilt. Friends down here would ask me how you were doing and I didn't feel worthy enough to attempt an answer. I wanted to say "don't ask me about her - I'm the reason she's going through this!" I went on with my life as a newlywed and most of the time just tried to ignore what had happened b/c when I faced it I just couldn't understand why God would do this to you. Why didn't He take us instead? WHY would he take someones daddy away???? To say I would get angry with God is pretty much an understatement. I was cursing the same God that was holding you up.
Three years have changed a lot for me. I did learn to face God, I learned to believe that this truly was His plan. I learned that Guilt was not going to keep me from my friend Christi. I had to overcome that before I could truly face her. Right now I can sit here and write and honestly say that I don't think that the Guilt will ever 100% disappear b/c Satan has a hand in that. He has a way of bringing it back and poking it into my heart at the weirdest times. What I have learned though, is that I can overcome it. I have the power to say back to him that this was God's plan for Christi's life and He has blessed her beyond compare since that day and continues to. He held her up, He gets her through each day and HE does not make mistakes!!!!!
Thank you for your testimony Christi. I know the same God that gets you through each day is there for me too. I'm not alone, no matter what happens in life. I will never be alone! You can read Christi's first hand account of the accident HERE. Her testimony is so powerful and I know that God is going to continue to use her in big, BIG ways.
-------
Part 3.
Christi asked for memories of Ian. I have more than I could ever write but here are a few highlights.
1. The first time we met Ian at Grace University Youthfest. He was what we called a "dork" but he just had these sparkling eyes. It was like he KNEW he was goofy and he just didn't care. He wasn't trying to impress anyone, he was just being himself. He sang to Christi the song about "does your name start with a C or with a K" Oh, what a fun bus ride!!!! :)
2. I remember Ian telling me a story about how he knew he was either going to date or marry a girl named Christi when he went to Grace. The thing was though, that he knew a different Christi that was going to grace and thought it was going to be her. WRONG!! It was MY GIRL! One time I went to visit them my freshman year of college. I remember Christi calling him to see if he wanted to go the movies with us. He didn't end up going, but I do remember how nervous was Christi was to call him!!!! Oh, we were all such silly kids.
3.I remember that apartment up above where my sister in laws Chiropractic office is now. I think we only hung out there a couple of times. I'm glad he didn't stay there long.
4. THE WEDDING! What a fun time. I remember I said I wasn't going to cry but when Ian started weeping at the sight of Christi walking down the aisle w/ Tony that all went to crap. I probably used a whole box of Kleenex at that wedding. Never once did it dawn on me that day that you guys were SO YOUNG!!!!!!!!! When I look at "kids" getting married these days I can't help but wonder how they "know" at such a young age that they want to spend the rest of their life with someone. You guys knew - there were no doubts - and God knew the big picture the entire time. God knew his time on earth was short and He wanted to make sure that Ian had the best possible love he could have!
5. Walmart - I know there were times in those years when I moved back from college especially that Ian didn't agree with a lot of the things I was doing or all of the dang drama that went on in my life. I'm still not 100% sure that the stories he probably heard at work were all true. It really doesn't matter though b/c those are some of weirdest, but best times I remember. It honestly seemed like EVERY time I went to Walmart, Ian was working! We would chat and catch up just one on one. I think I learned more about Christi during those chats than ever b/c he was ALWAYS talking about her. Chris this, Chris that. Oh, how I miss those days!
6. Baby Josiah - I think right around when josiah was born was one of those times that Ian wasn't super excited to be my friend. I remember almost being nervous to see him in the hospital b/c I was pretty sure that Ian hated me. He was so in love with that baby though. He was so proud of him! I remember Ian telling me I could come over anytime. That meant so much to me to know I was welcome in their home! This may sound pretty crazy to some of you guys b/c Christi's is the most hospitable and welcoming person ever but I wasn't exactly a saint in those days. It was then that I realized my friends would love me no matter what bad choices I had made and even though I probably made some pretty dumb ones after that too, I think it helped me make a step in the right direction. Back to Josiah - after the heartbreak that Christi and Ian had been through, what a site to see them their with their brand new baby! I think that will be forever the best memory I have - the joy on their faces as they welcomed Josiah and shared him with their family and friends.
Ok I guess I better get to work now so I will end this blog. I'm thankful that we do have this day to remember, to share, and to grieve. I know that Ian is so proud of Christi for the mom that she is and for all she has accomplished in these last three years. I know he's glad that she has been given a second chance, and I know he is in a much more beautiful place than you or I can ever imagine and that one day he will be waiting at the gate to welcome us Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My fill in mechanic Lenny Boatman called awhile back to tell me he could not figure out why the car wouldn't start and wondered if the gas gage worked...
I decided to try something crazy. I googled "pothole, car won't start"
It sent me to a forum where they were talking about a fuel shutoff valve. I got to thinking about the one time that my mom had some diet coke explode (it was winter) in the back of the bubble and we had to hit some switch to make it start. So, I googled some more and sure enough I found that my car does in fact have a fuel intertia shut off valve and its located in the back hatch.
I called Lenny with the tip and 5 min later he called to tell my my car was running like a charm!
If only I would have thought of this while on the side of the road I would have avoided work for my friend and some serious embarrasment on my part! I guess I best start driving a bit slower on dirt roads.
This can't be good!
I'm driving down the road today on my way work (late of course) and playing weekend catchup w/ Big J on the phone when all of the sudden I hit a pothole REALLY hard. No big deal....but I lost power. It was not good. The car just wouldnt go anymore and I coasted to a stop. I tried to restart but nothing. Keep in mind I'm smack dab in the middle of the road. Luckily gravel roads are not highly traveled!!!
I called my reliable friend Lenny who lives just down the road who came and helped me push it out of the way. You would think I could push the bubble by myself, and I did for awhile, but I kind of got it stuck in the mud. So, we pushed it out of the mud and then out of the road.
Another reliable friend and coworker, Jim, came to pick me up and bring me to work. So, I'm here now but my orphan bubble is sitting all alone on the side of the road. Lenny's going to take it over to his parents later today. Hopefully something just came off when I hit that hole....
I really hoped the bubble is not popped forever...
Suddenly my house is a whole lot smaller!!!!!!
I'm getting new vinyl in my kitchen installed today (as I type actually...)
The stove, washer, dryer, fridge, table, bakers rack, high chair are all in my living room. It's a MESS but I'm telling myself it will all be worth it in the end.
I have hated my kitchen floor for I don't even know how long. It shows dirt like no other! I have probably swept it 3 times a day 95% of the days I've lived here. Lets figure that up....a total of around 5,000 times in the last 6 years. wow. Not that I want an excuse for a dirty floor, but I just want to not have that impluse to sweep when I see a little dirt. the new vinyl is brown and hopefully will not show as bad.
Opps now they are drilling for sawing something and Avery is freaked out. Got to go!!!
Today I am traveling w/ another coworker to the Little Apple - Manhattan, KS. I'm excited to get out of the office! I need to start traveling more often so hopefully this little day trip will light the fire to get me out to all of the stores in the next month or so! I have had so much going on lately that i've dropped a lot of responsiblity on JoeDel and the thought of me traveling means more of that for him...he's great to help out but I still feel bad those nights when he's hanging out at home with Avery and I'm off in some lonely hotel room.
Maybe I'll buy a lottery ticket today - and maybe I'll win!
Well you gotta get past the old navy commercial and then half of the video...but once the crowd shots start up, see if you can find someone you know :) Oh I MISS NASHVILLE!
BR549 - Too Lazy To Work, Too Nervous To Steal (Official Music Video) - Awesome video clips here
I really don't have a lot to report and I keep forgetting to bring my camera in to download pics...
We went to the lake on Sat. and mowed. It was a fun little getaway for just JoeDel and I.
Sat. night, Avery and I went out to Callaways to play with Corinne and Addie. That was so fun. It is awesome to see my little girl play with Christen and Wes's girls the way we used to all play together. I can hardly believe WE are grown up enough to even have kids of our own!
On Sunday morning, JoeDel, Avery, Grandma Sara and I all loaded up for a beautiful Easter Sunday church service.
I just can't help but tear up when I think about what Easter means to me. Without Easter, my faith is nothing. Without Easter, Christmas is nothing. Christianity is based on Easter. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong....but without the death and resurrection of our Lord, we wouldn't even have a reason to celebrate the birth of another little baby. Jesus died on the cross for me...he SUFFERED and died. It was awful and I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been like to watch him while he was beaten and tortured.
But then what? Three days later he overcame death. He rose and He LIVES! Because of this, we all have the hope that one day we will live with Him. We have the hope that we will be reunited with the believers that have gone before us!
I also think that Easter should be super scary to all non believers. Jesus rose from the dead and Heaven is REAL! Guess what, Hell is too. You don't put your faith in Christ, you don't go to Heaven.
I don't live a perfect life but I do know where I'm going when my life is over. Thank you Jesus for Saving me and giving me the Hope that gets me through each and every day.
My kid cracks me up.
Last night, she disappeared into her room to watch Mickey like she does most every night after supper. I didn't hear anything out of her for quite a while and decided I ought to go check on her...this is what I found when I opened the door. She is a dandy.
Yes that is a doll stroller and yes she is trying to use her princess stool as a footrest but she has it upside down (with a baby doll in it of course). I love this girl!
I'm home...what a wonderful weekend spent in Myrtle Beach with such good friends. Congratulations to Marla & Jeremy - may you have many, many happy years together. You two are such a perfect couple and I could not be happier that you have found each other!
I have a LOT of pictures to crop but here's a few quick pics of the big event.
I love you guys!
I couldn't think of a better title so I just blurted out what all this excitement building inside me is really all about!
In 24 hours I will be waiting to board a jetplane which will take my friend Bonnie and I to the East coast!!!!!
What for? MARLA's GETTING MARRIED!!!!!
From "kid sister" to "bar hoping buddy" to "roommate" and now to "life-long friend" ... I am so excited for Marla. She has found the man of her dreams and I could not be more excited. Well, maybe I could be if only she lived closer than South Carolina. But, for this weekend, I don't care b/c I am GLAD to be going to the warm, sandy beaches!
JoeDel and Avery are staying around here. I'm going to miss them like crazy but am excited for this adventure! Watch out Myrtle Beach, here I come and I'm coming w/out the crew!! Whoooo hooo!!!!!
My uppercase living party is closing TOMORROW!
If you see anything you want to order, let me know today.
http://simplyinspired.uppercaseliving.net
Love this stuff!
I FORGOT TO ADD...EVERYTHING IS BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF RIGHT NOW!
So, you could order 4 letters to make coasters for like $3.80 plus tax and shipping...right around $5 bucks! These coasters make sweet gifts. i can hook you up w/ the tiles for $2.00 (total, for 4 of them - 50 cents each) or if you aren't around here you can pick them up at your local flooring store. Talk about a deal!
This time it was a result of my stupidity...
Remember the last post about the pants?
I thought I could fix them. Yeah, right.
Actually, I did a pretty good job. I patched the hole and also used some sort of fabric glue. I knew I'd never wear them back to work or anywhere important, but around the house would be ok.
Well, I put them on yesterday and tested them out by sitting down and standing up like 50 times and it held! So, I decided to brave it and wear them to Parsons. I was only going to a flea market, what is the worst that can happen?
So, mom and I went and met Audrey and her kids (So good to see you guys by the way!)...we went through the place and everything was just great.
Then, after loading Avery back in the van to head home...I decided to run over to Cato.
I found lots of great deals and headed to the dressing room. I tried on several things and ended up deciding to purchase a few of them...
I then started redressing w/ my original clothes (the patched jeans and a long sleeved t)
I stepped in w/ one foot, got ready to step in with the next and kind of lost my footing and stepped on the front part of the jeans instead. RIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP. Oh my good lord. The patching worked just fine, but there is a huge rip in the FRONT of the jeans beside the zipper. At this point I realize that saving the jeans is HOPELESS and that the fabric is just rotten. Why didn't I realize this BEFORE I put them on and came to cato though? Seriously.
Thankfully my tshirt was almost long enough and there was no one else in that store on a sunday afternoon so I sucked it up, checked out and left. Heck, its not the first time this week I've had this problem. I'm used to everything hanging out by now!
:)
So, the jeans are getting trashed once and for all. Well, maybe.
So my friend Christi's blog of the same name announced her pregnancy...
Not mine.
Have you ever had a moment that was so humiliating that you just knew God would never make you go though something like that again? Think again.
Let's go back many, many years. I had a pair of cut off jean shorts that were my absolute favorite. I wore them more than I probably should have but they were so comfy and I just LOVED them! One night we were all hanging out at the McClellands like normal and my long time best friend and "brother" Justin A. was giving me a hard time. I don't really remember the story but I know he grabbed the pocket of my favorite shorts (maybe in an effort to depants me, I am not sure) and the pocked ripped RIGHT OFF. I think I had my bathing suit on underneath but it was still pretty embarrising. We still talk about this story to this day.
Well, here we go...
Last night JoeDel, Avery and I went to Ft. Scott for a little adventure. We needed to take some movies back that he had forgotten that morning and we decided to go out to eat and to walmart. We went to the movie store and then to the restaurant. The service was really crappy and the lady NEVER brought our ticket. So, finally I said whatever and got up and went to the counter to just wait to pay.
JoeDel came up and he said something to me and I said "what" and he said "nevermind, i'll tell you in a minute" and he was standing RIGHT behind me, almost ticking me off. After I paid the lady, and turned around he said "julie, dont freak out" I'm like WHAT!!! He said "your pants are ripped all the way out and you can see your underwear" HOLY S%$*#@! What? I felt down. Sure enough. There was a rip down the side of my pocket clear down my leg. These jeans are too big on me too, so the hole is gaping and I am wondering just how long everything has been hanging out. Was it like that at work? At the video store? how am I going to go to walmart?
Argh
I wrapped my reliable derailed jacket around my waist and walked to the van. I HAD to go to walmart so I asked JoeDel to go in and buy me some sweats. HE said "why can't you just keep your coat wrapped around your waist?" Whatever, not worth fighting him for, so I did it. I went shopping knowing that my butt was hanging out underneath the jacket wrapped around my waist like 1986.
The worst thing about this - you guessed it - these were, by far, my favorite jeans.
Dang.
Dang it has been a LONG time since I posted!
We went to the State basketball tournament in Salina a couple weekends back. I do have some cute pics from there but I haven't even downloaded them yet so that post will be forthcoming.
Things have been going good. My house is CLEAN! Why? B/c I am having an Uppercase Living party on Thursday!! I am so excited, this stuff is AWESOME. Check out the site simplyinspired.uppercaseliving.net
If you see anything you like, EVERYTHING is buy one get one 1/2 off so just let me know or show up at my house this Thursday starting at 6:30 pm! I will have a cute cake (maybe if it works out) and FRESH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! What more could you ask for? :)
Thats all for now. Hopefully I'll be updating w/ something more exciting soon.
Julie
This blog is in honor of my friend Larry.
We all went bowling on Monday night as a part of the Managers Meeting. I cheated a little bit when drawing teams so that Wanda, Terri and I could all be on the same team. We, along w/ our other teamies Sandi and Craig, had a freaking BLAST! I bowled really bad the first game but in the second game I got THREE STRIKES IN A ROW!!! I then got a ton of gutterballs and barely broke 100 but THREE STRIKES IN A ROW!
Anyway, about halfway through our first game there was an accident. One of our managers lost his balance and fell down. Long story but he ended up breaking his hip and having to have a full hip replacement. Talk about bad luck.
That kind of put a damper on things but I knew Larry would want us to have a good time in spite of it all, so I did my best to do just that...and I have been paying for it all week long.
I love you, JoeDel.
I am beyond blessed that you came into my life and have forever changed it for the better. You are my best friend and I love spending my life with you. You know I am not perfect and you love me just the same. I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday.
Oh, I was wanting to get you a personal happy birthday message from kathy but it isnt going to work out. Here you go instead.
My husband is having a Birthday today!
Ok I am finally posting the clown cake. I happened to smash my clown before I took a picture (actually I smashed it as soon as I put it in the box. blah).
Anyway, I also made my first "real" birthday cake for JoeDel! His birthday is Wednesday but we had his bday dinner last night at Marys. Here's the cake - definitely not wonderful but not too darn bad for my 1st one!
I'm in KC today & tomorrow for meetings. FUN! :)
Cake class is tonight. I'm supposed to be making something like this only on a sheet cake instead of a round cake....
Check back to see what mine looks like. I dont think it will be very good considering the first cake I baked last night was burnt on one side and still gooey in the middle. I had to use 2 more cake mixes (and 6 more eggs) but the second cake did turn out better. We'll see how it handles the clowns...
Oh how I love this picture.
My sweet "Sugar" is showing one of the reasons she has this nickname! She loves cookies that is for sure.
Tres is one of her best friends. How fitting, since his mommy will always be one of my best friends.
Both of the kids are looking up at Audrey and I. How in the world did we end up with such cute kids!
Here's the link to the entire article regarding the 40th anniversary at our church...
Girard Press
Well here's the first cake. It is not at all good but I am posting this photo in hopes that in a few weeks you will have seen some definite improvement.
:)
The weekend has come and gone and now I am homesick. You may think I'm crazy since there is really no reason for me to be homesick. I'm not away on business, I live in the little town I grew up in, and I see my mom almost everyday. So what is my problem?
I am homesick for my friends.
This past Saturday night came and went in a flash. There we were - most of us together again just like the old times. Jenny, Amy, Christi, Audrey, Rachel - some of my long lost besties all together ror a short time. So many things have changed (including the fact that our kids outnumber us for sure), but it is always so nice to have that time together.
What was really special to me was our church anniversary program. It was beyond awesome to have Christi back with us and even more special that she sang with her dad. Oh how I miss hearing Christi sing. Maybe you could record a little tape for us? Please?
JoeDel looked over at me during her song and wanted to know why in the world I was crying. I forget that he hasn't been around all that long and he didn't know that I ALWAYS cry when Christi sings. This time, of course, even more-so b/c of the last 3 years and how God has blessed her and what He's brought her through and what He's brought to her life.
So I think that all of you guys should move back to Girard and we could do this again every weekend. What do you think? :)
In other news, ... well ... I guess I don't have any other news. Avery is healthy again and my cake decorating class is going well. I have been labeled the "problem child" of the class but that doesnt really bother me a whole lot. This is a crazy busy week at work so I will close for now. :)
Have a great week!
JoeDel & I headed for Emporia EARLY Saturday morning. I was helping w/ the homeshow up there this weekend. We dropped Avery off w Aunt "Sissy" and were on our way. Well, late that afternoon I got a call that the sugar woke up from her nap with a high fever and they were headed to urgent care. It was hard to be away from my girl, that is for sure. I wanted to get in the car and come home but I stayed to work. blah.
Turns out the girl has a case of the RSV blues that are traveling around these parts. She's on a few different meds and breathing treatments but seems to really be doing a lot better. I kept her home yesterday and Daddy is with her today and I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow.
Other than that, things are going good. I started a cake decorating class last week. Its only for 4 weeks but it should be interesting. Missy is taking it too, along with my co-worker Jeanna and her sister Jennifer. We are decorating our first cake this Thursday...Missy and I are both making flags. Wish us luck, we'll need it!
I'm also looking forward to seeing many of my friends this weekend as we celebrate GBC's 40th Anniversary. :)
Thats all for now. Back to work!
#1) Valentine's Day
JoeDel surprised Avery and I with breakfast in bed. I wish I would have taken a picture, but at 7 am my brain wasn't quite turned on. We had toast, eggs, hash brown and HEART SHAPED sausages. It was very, very yummy!
We spent the morning hanging out as a family. We exchanged our presents and then later dropped Avery off at Grandma Smiths. JoeDel and I had a nice day out, just the two of us. We went to eat and then to our usual "date spot" - CASINO RUN! We didn't win (boo hoo) but we didn't lose a lot either (yippie!)
Here's my present from JoeDel (and based on the heart full of luck, I should have known to stay far away from the casino that day. Oh well!!!!)
#2) Daytona 500
Yes, Sunday was a much anticipated day for us and the rest of the NASCAR world. We watched with anticipation as the Great American Race kicked off the season full of lazy Sunday afternoons at the Smith house. Fantasy Nascar is upon as again as well. WHoOO HOOOOOO!
#3) HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT MISSY!
Missy's birthday is TODAY but we celebrated on Sunday evening with a Mexican feast! We love you "AUNT SISSY" as Avery calls her. We hope that you have a WONDERFUL day!
On Thursday, Missy and I are embarking on a new adventure together - a big step into the great unknown. That's right - we are taking CAKE DECORATING classes. Wish us luck!
Anyone watch Survivor last night?
You may or may not know that "Coach" Wade (Black shirt w/ a cross on it and jeans) is the current soccer coach at Southwest Baptist University. That's right - my alma mater! SBU is in Bolivar MO which is just an hour and a half from Gtown so mostly everyone should be rooting for the local boy ANYWAY regardless of the SBU connection, right?
Anyway, you guys know I'm a dork so I will share with you this story. I emailed the guy just to say hey, congrats on "Surviving" no pun intended the first week! It's nice to see someone from SBU on this show. End of story?
Not really - HE WROTE ME BACK! How exciting. Yes he's a normal SBU guy but now hes' got the "famous" bit tied to him so its cool that I heard back from him and I think he is a really great guy. Here's part of his response.
"Of course we havent seen any of the edits, so I had no idea how they were going to portray me. I have been praying for two months that God give them wisdom (the producers) on how to do justice to what I was trying to accomplish. Pass on the good news that hopefully God will be glorified in this!!!"
Oh, and here's a link he shared with me too. I'm thinking he's going to be around for awhile!!!!
Jeff Probst Blog
Avery didn't cooperate very well for her picture this year. Oh well. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Apparently God is mixed up. He thinks its tornado season. blah.
We're hanging out and getting ready for a potentially long night in the Smith house.
**UPDATE**
We were under a tornado warning. Sirens went off and Avery and I headed off to the neighbors storm shelter. Daddy stayed out to watch the storm. It was a little tight in there with...Our neighbor and her 2 kids, our other neighbor and her 2 kids...her mom and dad and me and avery. I thought it was going to not work out so well when we got down there and avery screamed "I WANNA GO BYE BYE" a few times....but she calmed down quickly. I took my scanner with me and was happy when they said the storm was north of girard. We were safe! So, now Avery and I are back in the house with Daddy. The sirens just started going off again so I dont know what is up but Im singing off for now -i think we are safe!
Just a sweet picture of my girl...if you notice there is no bow. That is not my fault - she took it off!
It is 1:00 on Friday and I am READY for 5!!!!
This week has been good. I don't feel that I've been home a whole lot but oh well, what else is new? :)
Last night we went to the Colgan-Girard basketball game. It is always so great to see Girard beat those Panthers!
I really don't have a lot to report. I'm ready for the weekend and am looking forward to (hopefully) SLEEPING IN tomorrow!
So the top CD design covers were to be displayed on the website YESTERDAY and they still aren't up. Mine wasn't chosen (big surprise), but I am anxious to see which ones they picked so I can cast my vote!
My good friends Amy and Marla are home this week! I saw Marla briefly last night and also was able to hang out a while longer with Amy and her girls. It's so nice to have the McClelland girls both home at the same time. I know this is something that just won't happen too incredibly often from here on out.
I really don't have a lot of other exciting news to report. One of my best childhood pals tied the knot this weekend. Congrats to Curtis and his new, beautiful wife, Randee! I am glad to know that he has settled down and is no longer scared of the crickets you hear so often in the country. (I married him in like kindergarten but he wouldn't spend the night that night b/c he was too scared...either that or he had some severe second thoughts on marriage - who knows).
Anyway, it was a beautiful wedding and I'm so happy for the both of them.
Several of the guys at work are out this week - they are in LAS VEGAS and I am jealous. It is very quiet around here though and I'm enjoying the time to get caught up on several projects.
I really wish there was something more "exciting" to share about in my world but also I am thankful for everyday of "normal" I know there are so many people out there struggling and hurting in today's world and when I think my life is too boring I just stop and thank God for all of the many blessings in my life daily.
Oh, and here's a quick plug for our fantasy nascar league. It costs $20 to join. Half of the total pot will be awarded to the overall winner and the other half will be split 3 ways and awarded at the end of the "spring" "summer" and "fall" seasons. If you are interested in joining, email me asap. I promise it is fun no matter what Chris and Amy Klaassen say!
To say that I'm "glad" this is Friday would be a SEVERE understatement! IT IS FRIDAY!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!
I have had a pretty long day today. Our receptionist is gone, our fill-in receptionist has laryngitis, so I am answering the phones today and also trying to get caught up from being off yesterday with Avery. I did get a few things done while I was off, but there were more piles waiting for me this morning.
I do have exciting news though! In just a short 220 days, I will be lounging in the ocean aboard this baby....
The Carnival INSPIRATION!
We are going on another family cruise. Our family, along with Missy and Ryan and Mary and Grandma Huffman will fly to Tampa in early September and I CANNOT WAIT! So, as I watch the Superbowl this weekend live from Tampa, I will be thinking of how soon I will be going to that great city in search of a little "Inspiration" :)
