A Busy One!!

Today was a very interesting day. I had to work so it wasn't the typical Christmas. We actually had Christmas at our house yesterday, and it was wonderful. There is nothing better than watching children opening gifts and their joy when they receive something that they've "been dying for". I had been watching the weather yesterday and knew that there could be some slick roads this morning. So when I got around this morning I turned on the television to check things out. Springfield looked pretty rough and when it got about time to leave I got Doyle up and asked what he thought about me driving. Remember, I just had a wreck not 3 months ago so I'm still pretty skiddish when it comes to bad roads/weather. He went out and walked the drive up to the road and reported back that I should be "fine". So I leave for work about 10 minutes early--just in case--and thankfully I had no problems. I didn't drive the speed limit and was passed (actually, my doors were blown off) more than once, but I didn't want to push it. I get to work and the Pharmacist calls and says he's going to be about 30 minutes late (roads?????), so the floor tech and I start the day without him. The hospital was hopping all day long. Usually holidays are VERY slow and drag all day long, but not today, we were busy from 7:30 when we started til 5:30 when we left. The ER was full all day long and we had our usual number of inpatients. Let's just say I took my netbook, magazine, and a puzzle to work on and didn't get to partake of any of them!!! At least the day went pretty fast. So I'm looking forward to lounging the next two days, I can't decide if I want to get out early in the morning for the "morning after" sales or not. Maybe I'll set the alarm and see how I feel in the morning, which means I'll either get up and go or turn the alarm off and go back to sleep-----only time will tell!

Merry Christmas

Our trip to Texas was short but sweet. We left out on Saturday morning, arriving in Grapevine around 6:30pm. We got checked into the hotel, then headed over to Doyle's brothers' house. After a quick visit with Dennis & Becky we went to the hospital. Roy was really good, he had finished his first round of chemo but was still getting blood and platelets. He really seemed to like the gifts that we got for him. A robe, pj's, and slippers, the little ones helped him unwrap them, and they loved that. We visited with him on Sunday again and then on Monday morning before we left for home. He seemed to be wearing down by Monday morning, maybe he had a little too much company over the weekend?!? He will have to stay in the hospital until after Jan 1st when they will do another bone morrow test and decide the next course of action. I'll continue to pray for the best outcome when they do the test. We also had a really nice visit with Dennis & Becky--they made us breakfast and supper on Sunday and it was great. I'd forgot what a good cook Becky is!!! It was good to see some of the Minnesota/South Dakota Kruses' there also.


Christmas at the Kruse household will be tomorrow--it's my year to work Christmas Day :(
I'm looking forward to the kids opening their gifts, they are always so excited, and I hope they enjoy what we got them. I asked Chely what they wanted for dinner, I was thinking ham or turkey, she answered pizza! Sounds good to me, being gone last weekend has really thrown my schedule for a loop. Doyle and I both has a touch of the flu on Tuesday so we pretty much laid around all day. I did manage to get the rest of the gifts wrapped and while doing so realized that I have absolutely nothing for Patrick's stocking but candy, so I will have to make one more Wal-Mart run tomorrow, early, early!!! Chely was there as I was getting off work today and she said it was CRAZY!!!!


I will probably not post again before Christmas so I would like to say a big Merry Christmas to all who read this blog. It was about a year ago that I started this and it has been a joy for me, and I hope I've brought some laughs your way with it. I wasn't sure how long I would or could keep this going, but I'm glad that I stuck with it. Here's to many more years of "Kruse Life".

Ready or Not, Christmas is Coming

I did a lot more Christmas shopping yesterday. I've whittled my list down to 5 gifts remaining. I plan to go to Springfield this Friday and finish up! Chely has school in Springfield on Tuesday and Friday so I'll drive and drop her off at school by 8am, then I'll meet back up with her for lunch, and be there to pick her up when her classes end at 5pm. That gives me a lot of hours to fill--Holly is going to take the day off and go shopping with me. Only bad thing is one of the gifts I have to get yet is hers, not sure how that's going to work out. Seems like a lot of time to find 5 gifts but the driving around from place to place is what takes up the time. Plus I don't have a clue what I'm getting 3 of the people. I love the holiday's but I always stress about the gifts, guess I've run out of good ideas!!

On a different note--we found out about a week ago that Doyle's brother Roy has AML leukemia. He's in the hospital in Texas where he lives. Thankfully another brother and his family live there also, so they have been there for him. We will be making a trip to see him the week of Christmas, not totally sure of all the details yet, but it's just something that we feel we need and want to do. So I guess I really have 6 gifts to get, because I will want to take a gift for Roy when we go. I'm thinking a nice flannel housecoat, or maybe sleep pants, or maybe........

So you want to be my friend?!?

So today I have a gripe, not a huge one, but a gripe none the less. Someone I went to high school with wanted to be my facebook friend, fine I accepted him as a friend. So I go to his profile to check out his friends, see what he's been up to, etc.... (like I do with every "new" friend I get). Well, he has most of the stuff blocked, I can see our mutual friends and his friends but that's it. Why in the world do "YOU" ask me to be your friend then block all your crap???? Why do you do facebook at all if you're that paranoid about people seeing your page? I swear, I'll never understand people like that. It honestly makes me want to de-friend them!!! Maybe his life didn't turn out like he thought and he doesn't want anyone to know what he really does? Maybe he hasn't figured out that no one cares, everyone has success on their own level. Yeah, I don't make a ton of money or have a fancy house, but I have a family that loves me and that I love, that's a success to me!!!

Thankful? YES

Thanksgiving has always been a special holiday for me, probably my most favorite. Why, because that's when my family comes together. When my Dad was still here we were all together at their house for dinner, now everyone tends to have dinner with the In-Laws, but in the afternoon everyone starts gathering at my house. It started a few years ago, long after my Dad had passed away and my Mom had started dating a man that some (okay, most) of us didn't really approve of. We just started to develop new traditions within each of our families as our kids got older, married, had kids of their own. Our tradition now is to have dinner with Brad, Chely, the kids, and Chely's parents. It's nice that the grand kids can have dinner with both sets of Grandparents and we do truly all get along, it's always a great time. Anyway, back to my story: So over time a few of my family started coming by for dessert later in the afternoon and now it's grown to the point that I will probably have around 40 guests at my house this afternoon. This year is special because in the past year two nieces and one nephew have moved back to the Ozarks from Florida, so they and their families will be with us today. I think as we age, we begin to realize that nothing can take the place of family and I'm so thankful that I will be surrounded by a lot of family today.

Here's a few things that I'm thankful for:
a) Doyle--I can't even begin to list all the reasons, so I won't even try!
b) Brad--That despite having us for parents he has grown into a good man.
c) Chely--She's a great Mother (and she's learned to put up with Brad)!
d) Grand kids--There is truly nothing better in this life.
e) My Job--Most days I don't even mind going.
f) My home--It may be humble, but it's almost paid for!!!
g) Our families & friends--We regret all the times we missed family functions with the Kruse side and we're trying to change that as much as we can living so far away. I feel like my family (the Finley's) are finally starting to come around and realize that there is more to life than getting somewhere or getting something. Family is where it's at!!! I'm trying to make a conscience effort to be a better friend because you know: to have a friend, you have to be a friend!!!

Okay, that's my list, and reading back over it I can say that I have a pretty good life. My wish for everyone this Thanksgiving is to take a minute and think about what you are thankful for this year. Now, I'm off to get ready for a great meal at Don & Sharon's, and to put the finishing touches on a few things here at home. Happy Turkey Day to all!!!!!

Deer Season 2009

This weekend has flown by, it's already Sunday morning and I am dreading Monday!! I don't think one more day will be enough to accomplish everything that I need to get done here at home before heading back to work. Course it's pretty much my own fault, I spent my day off Friday doing shopping in West Plains, and yesterday I spent most of the day down at the Abbey's. It was opening day of rifle season, so I helped Steve and Kurt make a big breakfast for all the deer hunters, then after just a little while here at home we went back to the farm to help with a big supper. Brad saw a buck but let it go because he's waiting for a "big" buck, which translates to he wants a deer with a big rack. Chelsea (my nephews girlfriend) shot two deer at the same time. She came up to her spot and they were standing there feeding. She shot the one and the other just stood there and looked at her, so she shot it too. Good for her, she showed up all the guys hunting down on the farm on opening day!! So right now my plan is to stay home today and get some things done around the house, course that all could change with just one phone call from the farm.

Tuesday=Sad Day!

Today was sad for two reasons--the first being that today was my last day off until Sunday. Hopefully the hospital has slowed down a bit with the nice weather we've been having. Today was beautiful, bright and sunny. I just dread going back to work, even with 5 days off, it wasn't enough to accomplish everything that I needed to here at home. The second reason today was sad is because the salvage yard came and took the Grand Am away. I figured I would cry but I made it through without a tear. I just hate it, it's like losing a part of me. I keep telling myself it's just a "thing" but I've had it for so long, payed for it myself, and it was such a good car. Had I not wrecked it I would have driven it til it totally quit on me. Hopefully the Focus will be just as good. So far I like it, except for the fact that I didn't realize it didn't have cruise control until I was driving out of the lot. I didn't even think of it NOT having it, I really thought it was pretty well standard on all cars these days. So I'll have to check into having it added. I also plan on tinting the windows like I did on the Grand Am, it makes a big difference when they have to sit in a parking lot all day. I had to go to the doctor this morning in West Plains and it was so strange to go in the garage and see a different car sitting there--weird, I know!!!

Still Here

Just a note to say that I am still blogging--I have just had a lot on my plate lately but I promise to take the time and catch everyone up on all the happenings soon. I have a five day weekend coming up, surely I can fit some blogging into one of those days!!!

Tidbits

Friday night, the start of a big weekend here at the Kruse household. I can't give details yet, but when it's all said and done, I'll have a big story to tell!! Let's just say I'm pretty excited and nervous at the same time.

The weather has a definite "fall" feel. Today was filled with misty rain, wind, and cool temperatures. The leaves are starting to turn, hope it's a pretty fall. Weekend forecast is nice but cool!

We didn't get to see the Grandkids last weekend, with Chely in school our weekend visits have been cut down. Although I must admit that I stopped by their house after work last Tuesday and got lots of hugs and kisses. We plan on keeping the little ones while Brad, Chely, and friends visit the corn maze this Saturday night.

I went to Springfield with Debbie (my ex sis-in-law) yesterday, met up with nieces Christie (and daughter Addyson), Carrie, and Holly. Had a great lunch together at Cheddar's and did a little shopping. It was such a fun day, makes me wonder why we don't do it more often.

That's it for now. I'm up and at it early in the morning, I have a load of stuff to get done tomorrow in preparation for Sunday. Boy, I hope I can pull this off!!!

YUCK

Today is day 2 of 4 off and I don't feel very good. About a week to 10 days ago I noticed a little tinge of pain in my ear, and I thought it was a zit forming, so I doctored it will acne med and didn't pay much attention. On Sunday at work I noticed that my entire ear was red and swollen. Finally on Wednesday I got into the doctor and he said for some reason I got an infection in it. Very strange, he really couldn't explain exactly what kind or how I ended up with it. Never had this happen before, but it's caused me terrible headaches and the whole side of my face was slightly swollen by the time I got in to him. I could notice but it wasn't like the elephant man or anything! So I'm on antibiotics 4 times a day for 10 days, which I hate. They make me feel like crap, I hate feeling like I could vomit all the time. And yes, I'm taking them with food, but I still just feel YUCK!!!! Hopefully in a couple more days it will start to go away, my ear feels like it's on fire today and I have to go shopping for groceries. I hate Wal-Mart anyway, so this will be such a treat today!!! Whine over, continue on with life.

A Post for Doyle!!

Today I'm doing something a little different, a personal post to Doyle! Please continue to read, but remember it's for him, so I hope it doesn't make anyone uncomfortable. You can peek into our relationship today.


Well Babe, here we are, another year together and looking forward to the next. Sometimes in this hectic, crazy world that we live in I take you for granted and today I must apologize for that. You are always there for me, in every way. You know me so well, better than anyone. You know what I need sometimes before I do. I'm sure it's like that for a lot of couples who have been together for so long, but today I'd like to think that we are special! This morning as I drank my coffee I really thought about what our life together has been like, the good, the bad, and the ugly (ha). The longer I thought, the more I realized that the good far out weighs the bad and the ugly is just ugly. We can't go back and change anything, although there's very little that I would. Even in the worst of times I always knew that things would work out and in the end they would be just as they are. We are truly made for each other, yeah I know everyone says that, but I guess when you know, you just know! I knew that night in Chaps that my life had changed--and boy, did it!!! I'm not gonna lie, as I walked down the aisle with my Dad I was thinking "what am I doing", but it was just the fear of the unknown. You know what kind of "family" life I had had before so you can appreciate my fear. Now looking back I wish I had taken the time to enjoy that day a little more. Sometimes I am trying so hard to be perfect that I forget to enjoy life as it happens, that was on full display that day!!! I promise this won't be a year by year replay, I just wanted to mention our start and in doing so I think that we can both see just how far we have come together. In the end it's not about "what" we have, but that we have each other. Sometimes I get to thinking that I'm missing out on something, that I don't have enough friends or that we don't do enough things. That's selfish on my part and I'm trying so hard to stop being selfish! I do realize that I have everything that I need in life, as long as you're my friend, lover, and husband! I wrote something in your card and I'd like to repeat it here--you are the glue that holds me together and I love you now and forever!!!

A New Post

Wow, I'm not sure where the time went since my last post!! I couldn't believe that's it been over a week. Guess I've been busy, or maybe just a little lazy. Work has been pretty busy this week and this is my Sunday to work so I don't have much of a weekend coming up. Here at home I've picked up my cross stitching again--that seems to be more productive than sitting in front of the computer every night. I have always enjoyed it and I must admit that I haven't really been in the mood to work on my scrap booking so it's been a nice change. I'll post a picture when I get it done!!!

I went to Springfield with Chely and the boys this past Tuesday. Emily was sad that she couldn't go, but I told her that she was a big girl now, and she had to go to school. Of course I brought her home some "treats" so that made it all better. We met Holly for lunch at Zio's, so I finally got to have some really good Chicken Parmesan, it was delicious. It was a nice day! This weekend is "Pioneer Days" here in town so I hope to go to the parade, my nephews usually ride horses in the parade, so it's always fun to see them.

Grandparents Day--1st Grade

Today was nice! In the past few years I have come to realize that few things in life are as important as family--nothing in life can replace the love of a grandchild. That's why today was so important, important for me and important for Emily. Yes, it might just be a couple hours out of our lives, but it mattered--to both of us, and to two other little girls in Emily's class. I went to Grandparents Day not knowing what to expect, and left a better person. I showed up and was seated next to Emily's desk, waiting for lunch and then her teacher began to make the rounds of the room, asking students with Grandparents there to "share" with a child that didn't have a Grandparent there. When she approached Emily and asked, Emily said "yes" (a proud Nana smiled), but even tho Emily chose Trinity to share her Nana with, that still left another little girl at the table without anyone. As we stood to line up for the walk down the hall to the lunch room I leaned over to the other little girl and asked her if she would like to join us also, she smiled (she's missing two teeth right now) and said yes. So Nana Jessie and her "three" girls start down the hall, it's a slow process. Emily's Nana Sharon (Chely's Mom) joins us with Cameron in tow along the way. So now Emily has both Nana's and the other two little girls still just have us. We get our trays, sit down and have an enjoyable lunch. It was actually really good, better than the "school" food I remember from grade school! I get out my phone and we take a few pics of Emily and both Sharon and I and the other girls, I was so proud of Emily for sharing her Nana's. I want to cry now, just remembering how proud she made me feel. It was nothing big, just sitting by someone at a lunch table, but I hope I made a difference today, I feel like I did. After lunch, it was recess time and although Sharon had Cameron she went to the playground with us and stood by as I "played" with the girls. Not only did I have the three girls in tow, I picked up some along the way. The kids were amazed that I could "do" the monkey bars (hey, I missed the final one, but that's pretty good, no other Grandparent was out there doing that), and several kids came up to me after and asked "why did you do that"? I answered "because I could"! Then we continued to go down the "big" slide, hula hoop, etc..... the recess ended with Emily clinging to me, not wanting me to leave and me finally saying that I had to, walking away and turning to see not only Emily but several of the other kids waving to "Nana" as she walked away!! I'm not going to lie, I felt really good, knowing that hopefully I made a difference today.

Playing at work!!

It's Friday afternoon, I'm still at work for another 2 hours and I'm bored stiff!!!! Our work seems to come in spurts today, right now we are in a down time. Who knows what the next 2 hours will bring. Personally, I hope it stays like this. I had another one of my sleepless nights on Wednesday night and I guess I'm still trying to catch up from that. Last night I spent several hours putting together a bio complete with pictures for my 30th class reunion. I'm not the most adept person when it comes to computer workings so it took a while to get it together. The program just wouldn't do what I wanted it to. Then when I finally tried it it's way it worked. Funny how that works, huh!!!

DKK is suppose to meet me after work tonight and take me out for supper. He had to stay in town to help a buddy move, so he thought we should take advantage of him already being in West Plains and plan a night out. Which means we'll eat, then maybe go to Wal-Mart and pick up some groceries and then head home. He wants to eat at Colton's, which sounds really good to me also. They have great steaks and great margarita's but I won't be able to have one, I have to drive myself home since we will both have our vehicles in town. :(

Better make myself get off here and find something constructive to do until 5:30. I'm ready for this week to be over--I need a little at-home time.

A kick in the pants!

Ever have one of those times in your life when you feel out of sorts, and theres no real reason for you to feel that way. Well, I'm in the middle of one right now! I can't for the life of me figure out why I'm feeling this way, nothing has happened that should make me feel like this. Maybe it's a little hangover from the birthday, whatever it is, it needs to hit the road! And yes, I'm pretty much giving myself a little pep talk here---so foul mood take a hike!!!!!!!!!

It's been a while!

It's been a little bit since my last post on my blog--just being lazy, I guess! Some things have been going on in my life and mind, mostly random crap, but some of importance to me anyway! Some are work related and I want to say "Get well, Carolyn--you"ll be missed and hurry back!! A lot of what I'm feeling I can't talk about here, it's a little too personal to put out there for all to see. But hopefully I will get it all worked out. Tonight is the start of the OU football season so I must say: GO SOONERS!!!! Now, on with my life!

48 and Counting!!

As I sit here today, a year older, and probably none the wiser, I can't help but think back on my life and wonder--where did it all go??!! 48 years--that's a long time--probably more than half of my life is gone. My Dad only lived to 64 but my Grandpa made it to 91 (I'm hoping to go more to my Grandpa's), surprise on that one, huh? Anyway, it's very daunting to me and very sad in a way. Part of me wants to scream--Is this all there is??--another says "hey, it's been a great ride so far". It's like I've had two life's--the one that I grew up in that was filled with fear and sadness and a small amount of happiness and the one that has been my "grown-up" life that has had some sadness but mostly happiness for the past 30 years. Guess, it just depends on which "life" I choose to dwell on for the day. Anyone that truly knows me knows that my childhood was not an easy one, and that probably is a small percentage of the people in my life. I'm pretty selective with who I share most things from my life, if you're a "true" friend, you MIGHT know the whole, entire story, if you're a friend you might understand that my childhood was difficult, but maybe not know all the details. Wherever you fall in the friend chain, if I've ever shared anything with you from my early years, you are very special to me. It's hard to relay to people the feelings of a young girl who begged not to go home when she was sick, which was often, thanks to a nervous stomach and constant kidney problems. All I will say is things were different when I grew up to the way they are now. Wow, that came out of nowhere--I had no intention of writing about all of this stuff when I started this post. Maybe I can lighten the mood!!!


Today was filled with "Happy Birthday's" and lots of good wishes--I hope that every person who wished me well realizes how much I appreciate each one of them! My brother who I haven't actually talked to in years wished me well on facebook, and nieces and nephews who really don't know me wished me Happy Birthday--this means so much to me, I can't even tell you how much. I truly have a "GREAT" family, on both sides, family that today has shown me that I do matter, maybe it was a small gesture on their part, but it meant the world to me!!!! I only hope that somewhere, sometime, I can help someone like everyone has helped me today. God Bless!

The Good Life

Today was a killer at work--just too busy!!! I was the IV tech and I think I sat down twice all day (except for sitting at the hood mixing chemo, yuck!!!). Tomorrow I will be a floor tech so I don't think it will be any easier, somebody has to deliver everything made. Plus fill the med dispensing machine on every nursing floor. Maybe a lot of patients will go home tonight, I can always hope. I just have to keep telling myself--you have it so good, you could be back at Wal-Mart--now that's a BAD thought! Enough bitching for one night--I must remember my new attitude--my life is good, my life is good, once more for good measure--MY LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

Looking Back, Seeing Forward!!

One more day at home and then it's back to work for me. I did accomplish some things here at home on my mini stay-cation, so that makes me feel good. Brad and family were over for supper last night so that means I have to mop the kitchen floor once again today. Emily and Patrick could never come over and me not know--they LOVE popice and always seem to leave my kitchen floor sticky from them. I'll be thinking of them enjoying the popice as I mop, LOL!!!

This is a big week for me personally. A lot is going through my mind--some good, some not so good, but I'll get through it. I feel as tho I'm moving into a new phase of life somehow and that probably sounds weird but I truly feel that way. There are some things in my life that have to change and I know that but change is not always easy for me. I have a hard time letting go of people and things that are or have been a part of my life, but I also know that in order to move forward, things (and sometimes people) have to be left behind. I'm trying VERY hard to make changes that are going to better my life--little things like eating better, getting more exercise, etc...and I also have some bigger changes to make. I feel it's time to finally allow myself to be happy in my life--to let go of guilt and sadness for things that didn't go as planned and to finally, totally move forward. I know that this will be a daily struggle, but one I hope to conquer a little more with each passing day.

RESET!!

I never could get motivated yesterday---so all I got done was the laundry. And I watched quite a bit of daytime TV, which for me is either news or HGTV, I even took a little nap in the afternoon. So that means I've got to get my butt in gear today. First I'm going to WP for groceries, then the cabinet over the bar is calling out to me---clean me, clean me! That's the cabinet where Emily and Patrick like to "put" things, who knows what surprises await me there!!

Stay-cation!

Whew, finally a day at home!!! I've worked the last 8 days out of 9 and the one day off I had was spent running to Mountain Home, AR with DKK for a little Lowe's time. That left me with only an afternoon and evening to get all the laundry done and the housework taken care of. To top it off, work has been pretty busy since I got back from vacation, so I've not had a lot of downtime. Today is the first day of 5 straight days off and I've got no energy---and a long list of things I wanted to get done. Maybe the coffee will kick in and I'll get started here in a bit! I have got to get through some cabinets and closets and rid myself of some unneeded items that have begun to multiply. That's the plan anyway, we'll see what gets accomplished!!!

Home Sweet Home!!!

After a few days at the beach in Florida, I am finally home. I had a great time but I must admit that it felt so good to pull into my drive yesterday evening and I thought to myself "I don't want to leave this place for another trip for a long time". I think that two long trips in two weeks is just too much for anyone. At least I'm at home today getting things put away and cleaned up before heading back to work tomorrow. I will be working the next 8 days out of 9 so that will be a shock to my body and mind, I'm sure!

Here are just a few highlights from my Florida trip:

1) Our traditional meal at "The Crap Trap" on the beach never disappoints-the Grouper sandwich was great and the "fresh" strawberry daiquiri was to die for!
2) We also enjoyed a meal at "Hard Rock-Destin", the girls especially loved the souvenir glasses that their smoothies came in-hope they all made it home in one piece.
3) After a pretty wild storm on Wednesday evening the water was so clean and clear (for two days) that it was like a swimming pool. I had never seen the Gulf so beautiful, I wanted to stay in the water forever and my red back and arms prove it.
4) We actually saw dolphins this year, twice!! The first time we were in the water and saw them in the distance and we were like "is it dolphins or something else", we all kinda moved closer to shore. The second time we saw them we were all sitting on the beach and I spotted them jumping from the water. I have seen them before but always from a boat, it was just special to see them doing what they do and not being disturbed by anyone or anything.
5) With another storm moving in on Saturday and the waves picking up, it was a little scary but they really made boogie boarding great.
6) We rented bikes this year and took advantage of the great bike trail that Santa Rosa Beach has. Then one of the bikes was stolen from the bike rack at the condo, they brought us another one (and a lock) but time never worked out for me to ride again. Then all three bikes were gone on Saturday evening and we're not sure if the rental place came and got them or if they were stolen again because the helmets were still in the condo. We figured if the rental place had come and gotten them, they would also want the helmets and key---very strange!
7) I found out that a sleeping crab should not be disturbed--Holly found a great shell in the gulf for Zoe so I was determined to find one also, well I found a huge one, problem was that it was still occupied by it's owner. He didn't take kindly to me poking him with my foot and my big toe paid the price. He bit me hard enough to bring blood and I still have a nasty bruise from it. Worst part is that I know better than to do that, I guess I just got caught up in the hunt!!!
8) I actually spent some time in the condo pool this trip, it was great and the spa wasn't boiling hot as it had been on past visits so it was enjoyable also.
9) Now for the scary part of the trip--As I said before the waves were rolling pretty good on Saturday and for the most part it was great out in the water, but Jade had a different experience. Her bottoms were swept off and being 13 she didn't want to come ashore without them so she stayed in the water while Taylor came to tell us of her situation. Before we could get a towel out to her she was being swept further out and down the beach. Although she had a boogie board with her she was not able to ride the waves in (she didn't want her bare butt popping up out of the water). Thank goodness Kurt was with us this year because he was able to get to her and help her back to shore, towel and all. Needless to say she didn't go back into the water, only the pool for the rest of the trip. I'll admit when Taylor first told us that Jade's bottoms were gone, we all had a good laugh, until we were all out there trying to help her into shore and saw that she was struggling. After she was safe Kurt told us all that when he got to her and saw her he knew that she didn't have much fight left in her. God was certainly watching over her!!!
10) Silver Sands Outlet Mall was once again a great place to spend an afternoon/evening. The girls all got some school clothes and I found a great buy at the Nike store on some slides that I've been eyeing. Kurt got some good buys on work clothes and workout wear. It was a successful side trip.
11) Destin Commons is a great little place to eat, shop and take in a movie. The girls all went to "The Proposal" and us adults went to "The Hangover". If you haven't seen this movie, I highly suggest you do, I hadn't laughed so much at a movie in years. I'm definitely going to watch it again with Doyle.
12) I have to give a great big "THANK YOU" to Holly for doing the grocery shopping and most of the cooking at the condo. It's always a good time when we vacation together!!!!


Lastly, I made up my own little verse about vacation:

Condo rental at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach, $775.00
Cost of gas to get to Condo and back home, $140.00
Average cost of meal out per person, $25.00
Cost of movie ticket in Destin, $9.75
Serving up your big toe to a crab, free
Spending 6 great days in Florida with family and friends, PRICELESS!!!!!

Kruse-a-palooza 2009 Edition!

I can't believe that we have been to Minnesota and are back already. We looked forward to the visit for so long that it seems like a shame that it is over now. Guess we'll have to start thinking about next year. We had such a great time. We stayed at Betty's until they left for vacation and then moved over to Twyla's. Both we great hostesses and we appreciate everything from both families. DKK got to golf everyday (sometimes twice) so he was happy. I rode along in the cart most days, it was good to be outside in the sunshine. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the COOL evenings/nights. The coldest one was down to a chilly 55, too cold for July. I sat around with a blanket on some of the evenings in the Big Top, burrrrr!!! One afternoon we took a boat ride around one of the nearby lakes, it was a good time. Seeing everyone from the Kruse side of the family is always a treat!!!! We look forward to Kruse-a-palooza 2010!

Oh no, not like Mom!!

What has happened to me??? We are leaving for vacation this Sunday early, early and I have not even gotten the suitcase out of the closet yet. In the past by this time I would have had several lists going and most of everything packed! I'm so scared that as I get older I'm truly turning into my Mother. Growing up if we were having company she would wait til the night before they were due to arrive to clean the house. It was always a mad dash to get things done. And it wasn't just the housework--school clothes were bought the day before school started, Christmas presents were bought on Christmas Eve, etc.... You get the point. So when I got out on my own I tended to go the other way--I planned things out, made lists, started early. I was always the "organized" one, now I'm ashamed to say I think those days are gone. Someone needs to kick me in the ass and tell me to get going here!!!!

The week ahead!

This should be a busy week for me--lots to get done and not much energy to do it (today anyway). Brad has his 26th birthday on Tuesday and then Little Miss EE will turn 7 on Saturday. That means presents to buy and wrap plus helping with EE's party on Saturday. I have Emily's presents but I have to load her shuffle up with songs. I have no idea what to get Brad, I'll have to be making up my mind tho, like NOW!!! Then on Sunday we will take off for Minnesota and Kruse-a-palooza. We always have such a good time with the Kruse side of the family, it's just nice to go up there and know that there will be no drama like there seems to be with my side. Even going with Holly, her girls, Irene and Jade tends to always have a little drama--but what do I expect?--they are teenage girls!!! Love em' like they're my own, but they always seem to have "something" going on. I'm sure my teenage years were the same, but that's been a long time ago now, guess I've repressed those memories!!!

Space, the final fontier!

I got to see the neatest thing early this morning. DKK left for work and two seconds later was banging on the door. I open it and he asks if I want to see the space station. What a cool sight, it just amazes me that we have put something that big so far away and that it stays. As I watched it on it's orbit, there is no doubt that the earth is round. Not that I have ever questioned that fact, but it is so amazing when you see it for yourself. Years ago we saw a satellite go over but it was so fast if you blinked you missed it, this was fast but you could watch it from horizon to horizon. Sometimes I think that I'm missing things living where we live (nowhereville) but if I lived in a city somewhere, chances are I couldn't have witnessed that this morning. What a way to start the day!!!!

Can't go anywhere without it!

This is just a quick post to say how I'm getting along with the new Blackberry--so far, so good. I'm learning my way around all the options and settings. I love the fact that I can get my e-mail and facebook updates on the go. It's also really nice to have the Internet anywhere I go. The only real problem I've found so far is that the bluetooth is kinda a pain in the butt. Too many steps and for some reason I can't get all my ringtones from the old phone to transfer to the new one. I'm still working on it, I'm sure it's just one little step I'm missing but it's been a little frustrating. All in all, I give it a big thumbs up!!

A Good Day

Today has been a really good day. I got up early and enjoyed some coffee before DKK got up, then we went to the little restaurant in town and had breakfast. Then it was off to Wal-Mart and the grocery store to finally get some much needed groceries. I absolutely hate to go to the stores, it cost way too much money these days. I must be getting tight (or just cheap) in my old age! A little later I met Holly in the big town of Summersville to do a little shopping. There's a little store there that carries the enamelware so I got a new small colander (green, my fave). Also a community of Amish have moved into that area in recent years and they have a little basket stand alongside the road at one of their homes. It's amazing what they can do with nothing but their hands and a few basic tools. The baskets are really beautiful, handy, and very sturdy. I got a casserole basket and a small decorative red, white, & blue one. Both baskets were only $33 and they look and feel better than my Longaberger baskets that I have paid three times the amount for. Needless to say--no more Longaberger for me--I'll be visiting the Amish again. Really it's been years since I bought a Longaberger basket but I'm sure they haven't gone down in price, probably the opposite. Anyway after I got back home DKK and I went to a couple local flea markets on a hunt for a chair for our front porch. I wanted something that could be painted and that would be weather-proof. I found the perfect little chair--it's metal and has an unusual shaped back. DKK will have to do a little work on it before it can be painted but for $15, I can't complain. I'm anxious to see it done. Tonight I plan to just relax here at home where it's cool.

I've got a new toy!

Well, I finally caved in and got a Blackberry. I've wanted one for a long time! When I got my phone bill for last month there was a coupon in it for 500 bonus minutes but it had to be taken to the store before 6/26, so after work tonight I stopped in just to get the bonus minutes put on my account. I got to talking to the rep (of course I told her of my desire for a smart phone) and she did some checking (on our minute usage, etc..) and said they had a new plan available where I could get my smart phone and still save $5 a month on the bill. I had to sign a new contract (naturally) but I had no plans to change carriers anyway. After thinking about it for all of about 2 seconds I jumped. They were able to transfer all my numbers and pictures, but not the ring tones, so I'll have to do that myself (and it's gonna take some time). It took a while to get everything set up and I hadn't told Doyle I was stopping so when I got back in the car I thought I would call and let him know where I was--after some fussing and fumbling I figured out how to make a call. I felt really dumb and thought "what am I doing with this thing?". The rep told me that it would take some practice but not to get discouraged, that when I get everything figured out I'd love it. Until that happens I'm sure there will be some f bombs flying! Tonight I'm trying to get all the accounts, passwords, etc set up for my email, facebook, etc. Fun, fun, fun--I really am a gadget geek at heart!!!!

Bonus--two posts in one!

Today I start my 3 day hiatus from work. I slept in til after 7 this morning, which is not what I typically do on my day off (although I seem to do it more often these days). I usually get up around my normal time and start on things around the house. I just couldn't drag myself out of the bed this morning. I've been really tired this week, not sure if it's the hot weather or what. I had all these plans in my mind to get done today, but now I wondering if I'll accomplish anything other than get the laundry done. I need to, cuz I'll be watching the little ones tomorrow. Chely is going back to work officially on Monday but she needs to go in for a little while on Saturday to get some things started for Monday. This will be the first time that I will have little Cameron without his parents there, hope I remember what to do!


Now, I'm going to tell a story--I know nobody knows these people but I need to get this off my chest to someone other than my coworkers!! As you all know I work in a in-patient hospital Pharmacy, and it's pretty close quarters (like cramped, crowded, and NO windows), so other than the IV room there's really no getting away from people in the Pharmacy. Well, one of our tech's quit and moved back to Oregon around last Feb/March (not sure of the exact date). We hired a new tech about 2 months ago and she got started a few weeks ago. The problem is she's driving us all crazy--she NEVER shuts up. She always interjects herself into any conversation or discussion that might be going on. You can be carrying on a conversation with someone and she will just start talking over you. I'm to the point that there's not one thing she does that doesn't irritate me, that's sounds so mean but I just can't help it. Bad thing is everyone feels that way, so much so that we have begun plotting how to get rid of her. Now that sounds really mean, doesn't it?? It's just that when you work so close with people you have to get along and although we might not be best buds we have all learned each other's little quirks and have adjusted to each other, I'm just not sure if that will ever happen with her. Her 90 day evaluation is coming up, we'll see what happens!! Thanks, I fell better now, I still feel a little dirty and evil, but better. Remember, I'm not alone in this, I have 8 other conspirators.

A fun Saturday was had!

Scrap-a-palooza was great!!! I had a really enjoyable time, I plan on going back to the one that's already scheduled for September 12th. I got several pages done and I learned a few new tricks from the demonstrators. I also ate way too much, they had lots of food and drink. The chocolate fountain w/fresh fruit was probably my favorite. There was also an on-site store and needless to say I spent some money (they let you run a tab and just settle up before you left--good for them, bad for me). Holly and I didn't stay for the entire 13 hours, we left around 6pm and treated ourselves (well, I treated myself--Kurt treated her) to pedicures. Then we ended the evening with Mexican food and after spending some time at their house, I headed for home. I got home about the same time as I would have had I stayed for the entire crop, so all was good. I had planned in my mind to be up that long so I didn't even get sleepy on the drive home. One thing that I did learn was that I took way too much stuff and then didn't have some that I needed so I will be more prepared next time since I have been once and know what to expect.

Scrap-a-palooza this Saturday!!

I'm really looking forward to this Saturday. I'm going to my first "real" scrapbooking crop. It's called Scrap-a-palooza and it's in Springfield. It's 13 hours of crop time, classes, food, etc... I've only been to friends houses to crop before, and they have spots for 200 people at this event, so this is totally new to me. I've been getting my supplies gathered up to take with me and I hope I can remember everything. That's the only drawback--you have to take your own tools and supplies. I'm a messy scrapper and I like to drag out a lot of stuff when I scrap so I hope that it works out.

HGTV and TLC lie!!!

Today I planned on re-doing our bedroom, well in true Jessie fashion anything that could go wrong did. I tried to save a little money and dye the table covers from plum to chocolate brown--after washing them according to the dye package and rinsing them numerous times I finally put them in the dryer and lo and behold they came out PLUM. What a waste of a couple hours and gallons of water not to mention the money spent on the dye. In the end I have to buy new table covers anyway. I had Doyle put the curtain rods up a while back in anticipation of the new curtains (the old ones hung there until today) and after washing, drying, and ironing the new curtains I hung them up only to find out the rods were too high for these curtains. I thought I had ordered the same length as the last ones, but I guess I measured them wrong or just didn't get the order right. Doyle will be fixing that little problem tomorrow after work. Then I move on to the new bedding believe it or not that part went rather smoothly considering how everything else in the make-over went. I still have some things to finish up and some clutter to get rid of but I was just done with it for the day. I couldn't take anymore disappointment--I had been looking forward to this for quite some time and it just didn't live up to my expectations. I should have figured something like this would happen when it took me over 2 months to get everything that I ordered. Let's just say it will be a while before I tackle another home improvement project--it just never goes like you think it's going to. At least it doesn't for me!!!

Family vs. Friend

A comment on my last post really has me thinking about the difference between family and friends. This probably pertains more to the in-law or distant relatives more so than immediate family. My sisters are my sisters and you feel a special bond with them (even when you're pissed at them over something small and unimportant). My relationships with the in-laws are different for each side of the family. As with a lot of families we live nearer to my side of the family than my husbands so we have a closer relationship with the in-laws from my family. My brothers-in-law seem more like real brothers to me and I can joke around and truly be myself around them. Maybe because in the 30+ years I've known them both they have seen the best and worst of me!! As far as sisters-in-law I only have one on my side of the family, and she lives quite a ways from us, so we don't really have much to do with each other. My ex-sister-in-law lives in the same town as me, and I will always think of her as my sister-in-law (I can't help that my brother screwed up and divorced her) and friend. My third brother has had many wives and I gave up getting to know them years ago, why go to the trouble when they won't be around that long. My husband's family all live in Minnesota, South Dakota, or Texas. We don't get to see them very often and have never been able to spend more than a week together. We never have holidays, birthdays, anniversary's, etc.. together, so it's hard to have a "real" relationship with them. It's not our fault and certainly not their fault, it's just a fact of life. Everyone goes out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome and we always have a good time when we visit. I do have a special relationship with one of my sisters-in-law in Minnesota, we are very much alike and I think it helps that we can both relate to being in-laws in such a big family, I look forward to spending time with her when we visit. Problem is there's always so much going on that it's hard to get very much time together. I sometimes feel guilty that Doyle has missed out on a lot of his family through the years, but we made a choice years ago to live where we live. We made our life here and it has been a good life for us (for the most part anyway). Moral of the story is: I think no matter if someone is family or friend the relationship is what you make of it. I, like most people today get busy with my own life and tend to neglect some of my relationships and I truly feel bad about this. I don't want to be one of those people that are looking back someday and wondering "what if". I need to be a better family member on both sides of my family and a better friend to all my friends. Wow, I feel like I've just had a good talking to and I promise to do better!!!

Shopped til we dropped!

Today was spent with Chely and Chelsea (and all 3 little ones) in Springfield. We left Patrick and Emily with Holly's girls at their house and Cameron went with us on his first shopping trip. Boy, am I beat tonight--I just can't shop all day like I used to. We got the kids some cute summer clothes and I even found some for myself.

On another note--I think I've lost my best friend!! Guess I'll have to settle for Aunt-in-law from now on. I keep telling myself that it's hard to stay close when you live away from each other (and there's such an age difference), but I feel like something else has happened to change things. I'm not going to fret about it though, I'll just have to be there when she wants me or needs me. That's all I can do--that's what friends do!! Maybe I'm reading more into things than I should--maybe I'm just really tired and need to rest. Now I need a day off from my day off!!

You just can't make this stuff up!!

Whew!!! What a weekend, where do I start. Around 5:30am on Saturday morning I received a text from Chely saying that she was in labor. Brad had gone to work, Patrick was still asleep, and Emily had spent the night with a friend. She said she was going to take a bath and then start getting the kids around to come to our house for Doyle to watch. So I get around and start getting myself together and before I knew it she was calling and Brad had gotten home, the kids were in the car and they were heading out. Doyle met them at Hillbilly Junction and got the kids and they went on to West Plains to get checked into the hospital. By the time Doyle got back to the house with the kids, I was ready to leave. I wanted to stay home a little longer and feed the kids but decided I better head on over to the hospital. I didn't want to miss this birth, I was finally going to get to be in the delivery room. So Chely was checked in and hooked up to the monitor by 8:05am and I arrived about 8:30am. She was dilated to a 3 but her pains were pretty intense already. By 9:30am she was wanting an epidural, but Anesthesia requires that the mother have a bolus of fluid (1 liter) before they will give the epidural. So she has the bolus of fluid and is really starting to want that epidural and calls the nurse in and asks again, and also asks if her doctor has been called (and he has), so the nurse goes and calls for the Anesthesiologist to come up. Finally at about 10:45am the guy gets there to do the epidural, only one person can stay in the room while they do it, so I go to the waiting room and Brad stays with Chely. I'm sitting there and I hear the nurses call to the front reception area and asks for the Surgery Tech (who has left the unit for a bit) and tell the unit secretary that they need help--I think to myself, I hope that's not Chely they need the help for. About that time Brad is in the hallway motioning for me to come with him (I just think that the epidural is in and I can come back into the labor room), he's practically running back to the room, and I ask what's wrong. He tells me Chely is having the baby, NOW. We get in the room and there is the delivery nurse, the nursery nurse, and the charge nurse, (the surgery tech came in at some point), but no Doctor. The delivery nurse is trying to get Chely to hold back but she feels like she needs to push. Finally the charge nurse comes back in from talking to Chely's doctor on the phone and says "If you feel like you need to push, do it, we're just going to do this. They are hustling around trying to get the bed ready and get the tray and everything they need to do the delivery. So Chely has another pain and they say go and with one big push Cameron is popping out like a champagne cork. All I could see was a little purple butt as he flipped into the nurse's hands. The cord was around his neck but it fell away and he started to cry and peed all over the nurse. I got to cut the cord, Brad didn't want to, he thinks it feels too weird (you have to kind of saw away at it). They rush him over to the other side of the room and weigh and measure him. 5lbs 8 1/2 oz and 19 inches long. As the nurses were waiting for the placenta to delivery in walks the doctor. He checks on Chely and Cameron and then gets gowned up and delivers the placenta. Then he says "I got behind an elderly person who caused me to catch a red light, or I would have been here". Which was just too funny, haven't we all been there? Turns out that when they were trying to get the epidural in place Chely kept feeling like she needed to push so the nurse stopped and checked her and she was fully dilated and could see Cameron's little head peeking out. They think that when she leaned forward that caused her to fully dilate that fast. So she never got her epidural and delivered him all natural, no drugs at all. Luckily everything turned out great and I have a new respect for the OB nurses at our hospital. They always rank very high (99%) on the patient surveys and now I know why firsthand. The rest of the day and Sunday were spent back and forth from home and the hospital, just enjoying our new addition. He's a really good, sweet baby. And he's just so darn cute. Chely is doing great, she was up moving around less than an hour after she gave birth. Her and the baby were released from the hospital this morning so they are all home together. Once again our family has been blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby, we couldn't be happier!!!

Getting back to normal.

My sister, her daughter, and her grandson just left about an hour ago, heading back to Kansas. It was a short but good visit. It's always good to spend some time with her even if it was only for a few days. And I had to work two of the days, so that really sucked, but it allowed her time to go and visit her in-laws, so it all worked out. I had a blast with my niece, Jade--we had a "jump-off" the past two nights on the trampoline. Even at my advanced age I won (hehe--take that Jade!!), although I'm paying for it today with a sore body! We will see each other again the first week of August when we go to Florida together, I can't wait!!


Chely had her weekly doctor's appointment today--yes, we're still waiting for Cameron. I just knew he would be born on the 25th (both the other kids were born on the 25th of the month), but I was wrong. The doctor said she would have to go a week past her due date (June 2nd) before he would think about inducing her. So that means she won't be able to go to Kurt's birthday party this weekend in Springfield. We always have such a good time, no one likes to miss this yearly event! I'll have to decide closer to Saturday if I'll be going. If she has no pains before then, I'll go. Holly is planning on Doyle being the cook this year so I hate not to go. Besides I want to go and celebrate the big 3-0 with Kurt!

Happy Memorial Day!

It's the first holiday weekend of the year, finally! When 2009 started I thought the winter would never end and here it is the start of summer already. I knew summer was officially starting when I got into a sobriety checkpoint on my way home from work yesterday. Now I could understand why they might set one up on say a Friday evening, but a Wednesday--I just don't get that one!! My sister and most of her family will be visiting the Ozarks over this weekend, so I'll be having some company. Tonight was our local high school graduation ceremony, my nephew's girlfriend graduated so Brad, Chely, and I went (Congrats Chelsea!) On top of all the weekend activities we are still waiting for Cameron to come out and play!!! I have to work on Sunday so maybe since I'll already be at the hospital he'll make his appearance then. I hope so, I'm ready to see him. :) Doyle & I are suspose to have a "date" tomorrow night (dinner and a movie). We'll see if it happens or if something will mess it up--that's what usually happens when we actually plan to do something. I hope that everyone who reads this has a very happy and SAFE Memorial Day holiday weekend--take care!

Oscar the Grouch

I need a few more days at home!! This weekend is all but over and I feel like I haven't had any downtime--not good. I'm probably gonna be in a piss poor mood tomorrow. That's what happens when I don't get to spend enough time at home. And it's my own fault (maybe I need to learn how to say "no") that I ran all weekend. At least I can look forward to Friday, my next day off!!

Not a whine--just the facts.

I'm starting a much needed 3 day weekend!! I worked in the IV room on Monday and Wednesday and was a floor tech on Tuesday and Thursday. Thank goodness we work four 10 hour days! The days in the IV room were just too busy--besides all the regular inpatient IV's that we are responsible for making, we have to make the outpatient IV's plus all the chemo being administered that day. Most days even with all that, it's not too bad but this week we had about triple the chemo to do each day. Needless to say I was pooped at the end of my shift yesterday. Mixing chemo for several hours straight is not a fun time. You're concentrating so hard on doing your job and getting the calculations correct plus the physical task of actually mixing the drugs, it's just mentally and physically draining. Don't get me wrong--I love my job, even the worst day at the hospital is better than the best day I had at Wal-Mart (if that makes sense?), but I prefer the days to be a little less stressful!

I could never be Amish!!

This past Friday a storm came through our part of the Ozarks--tornado's, wind, the whole bit. DKK and I were both at work and safe, thank goodness. When we got home we found we had no damage but also no electricity. There were homes totally destroyed about 11 miles from here. Our area had several trees down (one huge maple was uprooted in my brother-in-law's yard) and some out buildings were totally gone. Our entire town was without power for most of Friday. We finally got power about 10:30 Sunday morning. That's 48 hours without electricity, not what I call a "fun" weekend. Thankfully I wasn't scheduled to work and we went to my brother-in-laws and showered. It really threw a wrench into my usual cleaning, laundry schedule, I'm still trying to catch up. But all that's really important is that we are all okay. It's a weekend I don't want to repeat any time soon!!

Take a hint people!

Why do people complicate things??? One of my co-workers is having a little girl in June so we decided to have a little shower for her. Just us--we pitched in and got a really nice gift plus each one of us ladies (for some reason the guys opted out of this) decided to "make" gifts also. Mine is a 6X6 scrapbook album ready for pictures. Anyway, we had it all planned out, then someone at the hospital got wind of it and decided that they would hijack our shower. Now "they" are planning a full blown shower at the classroom with all her family and friends invited (who have given her two showers already) and say they won't do it unless we combine the showers and we attend theirs. NO, I don't want to spend MY time sitting there with a bunch of people I 1. don't know, or 2. don't want to know, or 3. just don't like that well. We just want to get together after work, give her her gifts, maybe eat a little and go on our way. She understands this, because she is just like us and wants that too. We had to talk her into our little shindig because she does not want anyone at work to do a shower. She feels that she and her husband can afford what they need and want for the baby so there is no need for anyone to do anything for them. Oh, did I mention that they want it to be a "surprise"? She's gonna be so pissed!!!

Will I never learn?

This year I will have my 48th birthday and yet at times I feel like I'm back in Jr. High. Why do we keep people in our lives (even in the slightest way) that want to cause us hurt and pain? Why can't I just walk away? I have always tried to be a good person, someone that does not deliberately hurt anyone or anything, and at times (like now) I feel like that is my biggest fault. I need to learn that there are people in this world, my world, that do not deserve that kind of treatment from me. Thank God for the love and support of DKK who is always there to wrap me in his arms and even tho he has no clue why I need that hug so badly, he's always willing to give it.

Do you ever get them raised?

I love for Brad to stop by the house and am really proud of the man he has turned into--BUT--I do have one teeny tiny pet peeve. The man does not know how to wipe his feet before he comes in the house. Now I remember why I had the rule of "take your shoes off" when he was young. I swear, he could never stop by and me not know, he always leaves a little trail. It's one thing if it's "normal" shoes but he seems to always be in his muddy, dirty, hunting boots. Which means that he's been in the woods. So not only is he tracking mud and dirt (and I have wood floors) but he has also been known to bring in a tick or two. I am by no means an "outdoor" person (unless we want to count my hike to the mailbox and back) so when I end up with a tick on me, I can usually blame my son. Now you're probably asking if I've said anything to him--NO--I just grab the broom when he leaves!!

I could scrap forever!!

I admit it, I'm officially a hoarder! This afternoon I started going through my scrap booking supplies (trying to organize) and I have come to the conclusion that I have too much shit!! I've been good about not buying new things, except for some solid paper that I needed for the project I was working on, and I have actually been using up a lot of supplies. But I still have so much stash. I'm a ribbon freak, but the amount of ribbon that I have is ridicules, it took me a half hour just to tape the ends of the spools so they were neat again. And I won't even talk about the amount of pattern paper that I own. Then I had to go through all the little do dads and I'm ashamed to say I have so much. All I can do is stay away from the stores and keep scrappin'.

How long have I been walking?

I've never considered myself a klutzy person, as a matter of fact I've always been the opposite. For some reason lately I've been bumping and running into everything! I always seem to have a new bruise somewhere. BUT last night takes the cake--I was sitting in the chair, laptop on my lap playing Spider Solitaire (my new fav) and was getting very, very sleepy. So I decide it's time to get to bed, I get up turn off the light and go to the tv to turn it off--well the first time I tried I missed the button so I stepped closer, turned it off and immediately turned and ran my nose right into the wall. I actually heard it crack! Keep in mind we've lived here for going on 18 years and that wall has always been there. What the hell is going on with me??? Anyway so I go ahead and lay down and my nose is just throbbing so I get up, get the ice bag and go to sleep with it on my face. Thank goodness I did that. Today I have a little hint of a bruise on both sides of my nose and a slight darkness under each eye. Luckily I don't have to work until Sunday and then I have Monday and Tuesday off also. Lord knows what I would look like had I not put the ice on it when I did. I went and got my hair done today and LaShawna didn't notice so I did a good job with the makeup. Also DKK and I went out to eat tonight and I didn't see anyone looking at us like he was a wife beater or anything! I'm going to blame my klutziness on the new diet (I've blamed everything else on it, why not!!!). I've really cussed that diet, but I have actually done very well (7 lbs so far) and I've felt a lot better. Now if I could just walk without running into things!!!!

Disney On Ice (and other ramblings)

Well the show was really cute. It centered around "The Incredible's" taking a family vacation to Disneyland and having to save Mickey & Minnie from certain doom. It lasted about an hour and a half. The souvenirs were outrageous--I took some cash with me and left the rest of my money and debit card in the trunk and came out with 0. I even owed Holly $13 (luckily she took her debit card) for the picture of the kids that we had taken. But the kids loved it so it was worth it, and it's not like we do something like this every weekend. Afterwards we all went out to eat at a new place in Springfield (Quincy Magoo's), it was really good and the kids ate well. Then it was time to head back home. I dropped the kids off at their house about 9:30 and so it was close to 10 when I got home. It was a LONG day!!!

Sunday I spent the day scrapbooking (also some laundry and housework). I had decided to make a scrapbook for a co-worker who's having a little girl in July. I got it started and finished on Sunday so that made me happy. It turned out really cute--I hope she likes it!

Work has been crazy--the hospital has been really busy since the middle of January. I'm hoping that it will slow down just a bit before I have to work on Sunday. Weekends are typically kinda slow so we are used to doing some extracurricular activies on weekends. These include taking our laptops and surfing or watching dvd's. Yeah, I know, I've got a really hard job. LOL Seriously tho, we do work hard most of the time. I've busted my ass for the past two weeks so I'm ready for an "easy" day.

I should be looking forward not back!

I've been in a blah mood lately--blamed it on being sick, then being tired, then the cold weather, and what have I learned? I think it's just me, I'm down in the dumps (about what, I'm not sure or maybe I have an inkling). My life is good! I have a great family and a good job that I actually don't mind going to (although it does have it's days), I have a home that's almost paid off (no foreclosure here!) and still I can't get happy. Maybe it's my new diet (I've done really good and even lost a few pounds) the fact that I am saying "no" to sweets and some of the foods I love maybe playing a part. Anyway I have vowed to get myself out of this funk. Tomorrow I'm taking Emily and Patrick to see "Disney on Ice" with Holly and Zoe, hopefully that will lift my spirits. Except that I'm really pissed at DKK cuz he's not going with us. That leaves me driving and entertaining the little ones. I guess I don't understand his dislike of going to Springfield--it's like pulling teeth to get him to go anymore. After our last big blowup about the subject I vowed never to ask him to go with me again (which I broke). Now I ask once and if he hesitates the slightest bit I take that as a "no" (sometimes he ends up going, probably out of pity). Maybe he just doesn't like to go with me??? Yeah, I like to go to the craft stores and the mall, but I also go where he wants to go. And let's not forget that I went to the races EVERY weekend for over two years (someone had to drive his drunk ass home) and never once complained although there are tons of things that I would have rather been doing. And I won't mention the fact that I can't even remember the last time we went to a movie together. Do I sound bitter?? I'm really not--I just think that if you're going to make a relationship work there has to be give and take on both sides and I definitely feel like I'm giving more than I'm getting lately. Wow did this turn into a rant!!! I'm climbing off the soapbox now and going to try and do something productive like making Chelsea a birthday card, although I'm afraid it might be a dark sinister card instead of a bright cheery one.

Longing for Spring

When will this cold weather go away? Seems like it just keeps hanging on. Today around midday it was so sunny and pretty, but when you stepped outside the wind just cut through you. I'm definitely ready for spring. I even have the urge to plant some flowers this year. We tore out our old white rock that was on either side of our front porch so I need to fill that in with something. Something that is low maintenance! I don't have much of a green thumb so it will have to be something hardy. We do at least have some of the garden in--onions, radishes, and potatoes. It just seems like this winter has been unusually long and depressing, maybe it was the two ice storms we had? All I know is that spring can't get here soon enough for me!

2009--1/3 Gone Already

I've been thinking a lot lately about time--seems like as I've gotten older time speeds up. Maybe I'm having a little mid-life crisis (a sports car does sound appealing, a younger man on the other hand DOES NOT), but time has been constantly on my mind. So I decided to reread my "goals" for this year and guess what--I'm not doing too good. I would honestly say that I'm probably not over 40% committed to these goals at this point in the year, which is technically 1/3 over now. I NEED to get motivated again--any of you out there have any advice as to how I could get motivated? I think that I just get comfortable in my life and it's hard for me to make changes, even when I know that change is bound to happen, and that some amount of change is always good for us. Comment and let me know how you "go getter's" stay motivated!!

On another subject--we picked up a crib for Baby Cameron yesterday. It's really starting to sink in that this baby is coming sooner than later. There is still so much to get done before his arrival. We need to paint both of the rooms, and swap them out. Emily currently has the bigger room so she will have to give it up to the boys. I wanted to paint next weekend but Holly got us tickets to take Emily, Patrick, and Zoe to "Disney on Ice". So that means a trip to Springfield on Saturday, Chely has to work so I'll be taking them alone (unless I can sweet talk Papa into tagging along). Should be a great time, the kids will love it.

A little help, please!

Ok, so on Saturday I was really kinda bored at work and decided to join Facebook--good thing, right? Well, now I'm thinking "what did I do"? I really don't know how to Facebook. So for those of you out there that read here and are on Facebook, I need some help. First of all, I always got in trouble for writing on walls, so that put fear into me when I saw that. Next, where do you put the text "Jessie is writing on her blog" (just an example)? I see that on every one's profile but I have no idea where to type it. I did at least figure out how to instant message, for all the good it did, I have dial up here at home, and it would take me forever to "talk"to anyone from here. Maybe I'm just not "cool" enough for Facebook????

A big whine to start the week!

I'm tired!!! I worked all weekend plus had plans for both Saturday and Sunday evenings after work. Normally I gripe that we don't "do" anything but this weekend was the exception. We were on the go from the time we got up til we finally made it to bed both nights. So on top of being wore out, it's cold again (and I still have the head cold or whatever that I've had now for over two weeks). I just want to hibernate today, curl up in my favorite chair and wrap myself up in my favorite OU blanket and rest! BUT my laundry baskets are full, my cupboards are empty, and I need to clean my floors---so why am I sitting at the computer? I'm tired!!!

Goodbye, Little Man

Tonight I'm paying tribute to our fallen cat, Little Man. Patrick named him for us and he was a really good "kid" cat. He wasn't really that old, maybe a year, maybe more. He was just a wild kitten when he started hanging around, I like to think that I won him over, but it's probably the other way--he won me over! He would meet me at the deck stairs every night when I got home from work, then he'd roll over and purr ( boy, could he purr loudly) until I rubbed his belly. Well I noticed that he wasn't around on Monday morning (and he wasn't one to miss feeding time) and when Doyle got home from work he said that a cat had been run over on the 4 lane. Sure enough when I drove by there, it was Little Man. What a sad discovery! Doyle went and got him and buried him for me (thanks, honey). I tell myself every time "don't get attached" but he got to me. I guess I can blame this on him being a "tom" and having to "go out and roam", but it doesn't change the hurt I feel. There will never be another Little Man, I'm gonna miss him.

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Yes, there is a hell on earth--and it's called Chuck E Cheese on a Sunday afternoon!!! Brad and Chely had the great idea to take the kids to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield and then out to Chuck E Cheese for food and fun. This would have been great to do say on a weekday but no they choose to do it on Sunday, when everybody else has the same idea. And to top it off they decided on the way to Springfield to flip flop the schedule--eat first, then go to the zoo. That puts us walking into Chuck E's at 12:30--I've never seen soooo many tables "reserved". So we ended up with part of the group in a booth by the window and the rest of us halfway across the room in another booth. Since this was for Patrick's 4th birthday he opened presents, then the kids ate some pizza, then it was off to the games. Honestly I think Brad played more games than the kids, but boy did they have the tickets to cash in!!! So after about 1 1/2 hours of this we finally got the kids up to the "prize" counter to claim their loot. Zoe and Emily ended up with some tattoos and some Hannah Montana paraphernalia. Next up--Patrick--he's got 100 points to "spend" what does he pick out? Five (yes 5) dumdum suckers. I get a bag of 360 dumdums at Sam's for under $10 and have almost a full bag in my cabinet right now because Patrick loves them so much. I guess I just never knew how much he loves them until I watched him scan the cases of trinkets at Chuck E's and all his eyes could see were the dumdums!!! By the way--I skipped the zoo, I didn't feel like being out in the wind (or maybe I just needed a little retail therapy after the trauma of that big grey mouse?).

I need to feel better!

I still basically feel like crap. I don't know what I have, but it is hanging on. Luckily it's not something that has kept me from work, but I just don't feel worth a darn. If I drank I would take a HUGE shot of Crown Royal to see if that would kick it, but since I swore off alcohol, I better stick to the Nyquil (which is about 10% alcohol). When it comes in the form of medicine, that makes it okay!! We had a little party for Patrick on Wednesday evening and I couldn't snuggle with him, that made me sad. It's hard to believe that he is 4 already. I feel like I have been neglecting my blog lately, so I promise that as soon as I get to feeling better, I will be a better blogger--I have lots of little thoughts rolling around in my head, just dying to be let loose.

About Time?

So Doyle and I have been toying around with the idea of having our mail delivered to our actual house---for the past 16+ years---and have finally decided to just take the plunge and do it!!! So Doyle went to town, bought the mailbox, put it in the ground, and then we waited..... Now you would think that since we live in a small rural community that this would not be a big deal, but then again it involves a government agency. So the first step was to go into the Post Office and tell them of our decision, then it was up to them to decide if they could (or would) amend the route to include us. Which really kinda pissed me off, don't I pay their salaries?? So that was decided, then the mail carrier came by and told us exactly where he would like the mailbox put, to make it easy for him of course. No problem, we did that--then we had to go back to the Post Office and fill out their forms so they could forward our mail. So I think good it's all done except a week goes by and no mail, now I don't know many people these days that get absolutely no mail in a week (I get a couple credit card offers at least) so I start to wonder.....So another trip to the Post Office and I find out that even tho they know where to send the mail, they can't start delivering it to the new address until our forward card comes back from Springfield. And we wonder why stamps are so expensive??

Back to Reality

Vacation is all but over, boy it flew by. I came home from the Casino's not with a load of cash but with a sore throat. At first I thought it was just from all the smoke, but after 2 days I still have it along with chest congestion. Must have picked up a bug somewhere along the line. I'm trying to kill it with Nyquil at night and some other cold meds during the day. Luckily I didn't have much planned to do today, spent most of my time catching up the laundry and housework. Took time out to watch some of the race and plan on watching some of the BB tourney tonight. Then it's back to work tomorrow. I do have some vacation stories to share, just don't feel like it tonight.

A Quick Post

Thought I would post a quick hello before I head off to Springfield today. My sister and family have been here since Monday afternoon and we've had a good visit. We're all heading to Springfield to stay the night with Kurt and Holly (and girls). We're eating at Hinode (our fav Japanese restaurant) for supper. Tomorrow Kurt and I will be paying the Indians in Oklahoma a little visit. On the way home from Osage Beach on Tuesday I bought a scratch-off ticket and won $25, hopefully my good luck will continue tomorrow.

Vacation is Here

Well as of 5:30pm this evening I am officially on vacation until 7:30am on the 23rd. YEAH!! I have a few days to veg-out before my sister & family get here. I plan on getting some things done around the house tomorrow. Chely's co-workers are having a baby shower for her this weekend. Holly will be here tomorrow night and will be going to the shower with me Saturday afternoon. Sounds like a three ring circus, doesn't it? I'm so excited to actually "have" company for once. Seems like we are always "the" company for other people (not saying that's a bad thing at all, it just seems to work out that way). Next week will be busy and I know that it will fly by, vacations always do!

One More Week

Just one more week of work, then I'm taking a week off. My sister (the English teacher) is on Spring break and will be visiting for the week. She's bringing her daughters and grandson along. We have some fun things planned for the week--a shopping trip to the Outlet Mall in Osage Beach, spending some time in Springfield, a great meal at the Japanese restaurant that we love, and lots of conversation. Also Kurt and I have a little visit to the Indians worked into the week.

We've had a great weekend. We visited with my Mom and brother on Saturday. Today has been filled with laundry and housework. I did manage to bake some cookies and muffins for Doyle today also. Now I'm trying to wind down so I'll be ready for bed when it's time. I hate when the time changes, it just takes me too long to adjust. The best thing about this time change is that it will still be light when I get home from work now. I would much rather drive to work in the dark than drive home in the dark.

Radio Pisses Me Off

This has got to be my biggest pet peeve right now. I have said numerous times that I am totally obsessed with my ipod and iTunes, so when I hear a song on the radio that I like I jot it down so I can download it. Well, I hate it when the deejay doesn't tell either the song title or the artist. Just give me one or the other!! So what I have to do is TRY and remember the chorus or a line from the song and google it for the title and artist. Problem is I'm old and I hate to say it but, my memory is not what it used to be. So for the past week or longer I've had this line from a song rolling around in my head and I still have not figured out what the title is or who sings it (and I've heard it played more than once during that time). The deejay used to tell you what was coming up or tell you what they just played, even if it was a few songs later. At least you could put it together, not now, they might play ten songs and never say who sang any of them. So as a consequence (like they're really gonna know or care) I am boycotting radio for a while. Today is my day off so I will be burning cd's from my iTunes for my listening pleasure. Take that Radio!!

Catch-up Post

Our "light" snow on Saturday turned into 6 1/2 inches. It just kept coming, guess that's what I get for bitching about a little snow coming our way! Thankfully it was sunny on Sunday and a lot of it melted. I ended up going to Springfield again last Saturday. Chely and the kids were going and wanted me to ride along. With the snow I didn't want Chely out on the roads by herself with the kids. They bought a different vehicle, and needed to go back to the dealer to finalize some things. Anyway we didn't get left until after noon and I ended up just going to Kurt & Holly's with the kids while Chely did her business. Emily & Patrick love to go to Zoe's and play so they had a blast. We enjoyed supper at Olive Garden and then headed back home. What usually takes about 1 hour 20 minutes took us well over 2 hours. The roads were good in places but not in others, it was hard to tell what was just wet and what was ice or even worse black ice. It was a stressful trip home.

Sunday I did the laundry and cleaned like a mad woman. Although it's not my favorite activity I clean my house all the time (because I have to--can't stand for my house to be dirty/messy--my own little OCD), but for some reason on Sunday I was just in the mood to clean. I usually space the cleaning out over the week and just do the extra jobs on the weekend, but not Sunday, I just kept finding more things to do. So I think I'm going to take tonight off, must of burnt myself out.

Friday Night Ramblings

I made it through another work week. The hospital is still ridiculously busy, but the days sure do fly by when it's busy. Now the weekend is here and I really have no plans for once. That is other than cleaning the house, doing the laundry, and actually cooking some meals. We have eaten out the last three nights, so I'm ready for some home cooked food. I need to see my grandkids this weekend, it's been two weeks--which is a really LONG time for me to go without seeing them. Brad, Chely, & Patrick (Emily was at school) stopped by today, but I was at work. Doyle got to visit with them, I'm so jealous. He said Patrick was in rare form, he's such a little character. We are suppose to have some weather tonight, rain turning to snow, possibly 1" to 3". Maybe it will miss us, at least I don't have to worry about getting out in it if I don't want to. For the people living up north (MN/SD) I know I whine a lot about the weather, but not all of us enjoy the winter months like you people MUST to live where you do. Hope you all know I'm kidding!!

On a side note for those of you wondering--yes I'm still refraining from the alcohol. I must admit that I have felt so good since I quit drinking, I should have done it a long time ago. I'm more content and have been sleeping soooo much better, even lost a few pounds. And the best thing is I don't even miss it.

Comet Lulin

Why am I the only person I know that has looked for the comet and not been able to see it?? I've been out every night with the trusty binoculars and still I can't find it. I blamed last night on the cloudy skies, but what is my excuse Saturday, Sunday, & Monday nights? I've even had Doyle out there, and no luck. So I am determined that tonight WILL be the night, hopefully the clouds will stay away. My coworkers are convinced that I'm looking in the wrong direction, but I've been looking where the internet has said to. I guess I'm astronomy challenged. I'll add that to my list of challenges, LOL!

Made it through the first round!

So I promised to fill everyone in on Doyle's work a few posts back, and I hate people who don't keep their promises. A little background for those who don't know: Doyle has worked for this company for about 16 years, the first 5 years or so he worked on second shift (which is a total bitch and will totally ruin your family life), finally he was able to transfer to first shift and have a life again. With the housing market in the toilet and the downturn in the economy (who can afford to remodel?) the flooring market sucks. They had been working 4 day weeks, then 3 day weeks, then when we had the ice storm they closed the plant (which they have NEVER done before for weather) for the rest of that week. Then word came that they would be dropping an entire shift. Everyone figured it would be third shift, but they surprised us by laying off second shift. Now comes the twist--people with seniority would be able to "bump" those on the other two shifts with less seniority. The domino's began to fall. And true to this companies past rep they let the rules change when they need to to accommodate certain workers. Long story short, Doyle still has his job and is safe for now, although they are still working 3 & 4 day weeks. Some people still have jobs but not the same job, if that makes any sense. If you get "bumped" you can go down in pay grade and "bump" someone else with less seniority. It's a crazy system, and I have a hard time understanding it, it just makes my head hurt too much!!!

This is the last day of my four day weekend, I've enjoyed everyday of it. Today I must get some things done around the house and get myself ready for my work week. Well, now I've said it, so I better get to it.

Shopping, anyone?

This post comes from Kurt & Holly's house in Springfield. I finally made it up here for a little shopping venture. Doyle stayed at home this time (wanted to work on the new shop). I think that was his excuse--why are men so allergic to malls??? We had a great time last night, I went to the gym and worked out w/Kurt & Holly when I got here. Actually they worked out, I just pretended to, HA HA. Then we went out to eat, and did a little shopping--my fav Target and Barnes & Noble. Today we will really get serious, the MALL. I think the girls (twins, 14 and Miss Zoe, 4) will be going with us so hopefully the twins will be on their "best" behavior. Something about the mall makes me happy, it's like my own little anti-depressant, even if I don't buy anything the sights, sounds, smells just make me giddy. The only thing that could dampened my mood is the dusting of snow and the cold weather that came in last night. Nah, we'll be inside!!!

A Quickie!

This week is whizzing by--work is still busier than I like, but it makes the days go by fast. I'm not sure where all the sick people came from this month. I'm half-way through my week and I'm ready for the weekend. I have a four day weekend so I'm REALLY looking forward to that. I've been trying to think of something funny or insightful to post these last few days, but nothing has struck me yet. Maybe I'm in a blogging rut or maybe my life is just that boring? Sad but true!

Weekend Warriors

This weekend has flown by--guess I've been too busy! Friday night we had supper with Kurt & Holly and visited for awhile. Saturday Holly put us to work again at the Abbey house. We finished painting Steve's bathroom and attempted to peel the wallpaper border off. Actually Holly did most of the trying. So we gave up on that idea and decided to just cover it with another border. Holly & I will go shopping for it next weekend when I go to Springfield. Then we went to the "dreaded" upstairs and tackled one of the bedrooms. One of Steve's nephews had been staying with them and left the room a total mess. Clothes, bedding, paper, etc.. everywhere. We filled the pickup with trash and hauled it off. So the next "project" will be to redo that bedroom. When we get it done it will be where Kurt & Holly stay when they come home for the weekends. Little by little we get more accomplished down there. What I will never get is why 4 people that don't own it and don't live in it, are always the 4 people down there doing the work. Doyle & I do it to help out Kurt & Holly (they are always doing something for us) and because we know if we don't help, no one else will. Also Brad spends a lot of time down on the Abbey farm hunting, fishing, and just wandering around. Don't get me wrong, we have roped others into it at different times, but usually if they know we are going to be there, they tend to have other things to do. Funny how that works!! And it's to the benefit of the ones living there that we get it done, but they don't always see it that way. I can relate somewhat, I was a teenager at one time, long ago, and I wouldn't want to spend my weekends cleaning, painting, etc... One of these days it will all be done and we can look back and say, we did a lot of that. I'm not much of a handy person so I have learned a lot from helping Holly down there. Before I met her, I had never even painted a single wall. Now I can paint, stain, etc.... Mostly I help clean. I will give the guys credit down there tho--it's a totally different place now from when we first started. They tend to keep it much cleaner since it we got rid of a lot of the clutter. So kudos to them!

Plans gone awry

I had planned to drive to Springfield this morning and meet Holly & Zoe and go to Branson for a day of shopping--but to be quite honest, I am just wore out!! The hospital has been filled to almost capacity (for a time yesterday there were only 2 empty beds) for the last couple of weeks and we have been hopping in the Pharmacy. So on top of a lot of sick people add a survey team, and on Tuesday add the State Pharmacy Inspector. We have a new Director (he started Dec 1), and he's almost to a breaking point. We keep telling him to just hang on, it will all be over this week and then things will settle down. Everything is checking out okay, it's just the stress of it all at once. Anyway, I hadn't planned for this post to be about work again. HA Since I decided to stay at home today, I'm going to get some laundry done and just veg-out!! I think the Duel races are on TV, so I'll check that out also. I feel really bad about missing a day out and about with Holly, I miss her company a lot. But she will be down here this weekend (her Dad's birthday is on Saturday), so we plan on going to a matinee on Saturday and probably lunch. We hope to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic" but we'll have to wait and see if it's playing. We can both relate to that topic!! LOL Someday I will tell the story of how Holly and I became friends, people often wonder since she is young enough to be my daughter--although I would have been "very" young when I had her if that were the case.

Monday Blues

Monday came too soon! I wasn't looking forward to going back to work this morning, not sure why, just wasn't. Then when I get to work I find out that the Organization that accredits our hospital is doing their survey this week. YUCK!!! This means a lot of extra "suits" hanging around and a lot of "stupid" questions. Questions that have been answered hundreds of times, and always the same answer. I guess everyone needs checks and balances, but even when you are doing your job correctly it just puts a higher level of stress on everyone when people are poking around. The good thing is it only happens every two years. Not much else going on around here, there is some news from Doyle's work, but I will save that for a later time, when more is known. Boy I think this is the shortest post I have ever done--just goes to show how boring my life really is!! LOL

Weekend Ramblings

We've had a nice weekend so far here at the Kruse house. Chely and the kids stopped by on Friday evening and ended up having supper with us and helping me finish a jigsaw puzzle I had started. Well actually Chely helped, Emily & Patrick thought they were helping! On Saturday Chely had to work so we watched the kids for awhile when Brad went to the "farm" to shoot trap with his cousin, Marcus. So today I am trying to undo all the messing that Tornado Emily and Patrick created yesterday. I need to go through all the toys and get rid of some of them that they no longer play with. I don't know why they have to get them out even when they're not going to play with them, but they do.

I was going off on the "no sports to watch" rant after the Super Bowl and then I find out that Nascar started last night--who knew? I did get to watch the Shoot-out, although my guy didn't win, he did at least finish without getting into a big pileup. I generally root for Jeff Gordon, but I also like Dale Jr, so if Gordon can't win I want Jr to. Today they will qualify for the Daytona 500, so I'll be watching that.

I also got my Valentine's Day cards made yesterday before the kids got here. Now I need to finish wrapping their little gifts. I haven't decided what to get Doyle--he's so hard to buy for! I'm suppose to go to Springfield on Thursday and meet up with Holly, then go to Branson for the day. We like to shop the Outlet Mall and they have a great scrapbooking store there also. (Although I'm not suppose to buy anymore scrapping supplies, remember the 2009 goals, Jessie!!) Maybe I'll stop by the Godiva Chocolate store and get Doyle some good chocolates. They are his favorite. Enough rambling for now, I better get back to something productive.

Does everyone have a co-worker like this???

So today was my Friday--three days off--I'm looking forward to that. I have a co-worker that absolutely drives my batty. She's one of these people that run 90 to nothing but get NOTHING done. She works hard at getting out of work instead of just getting in there, getting it done, and being done with it. So I've had to work with her everyday this week and I was at my wits end come today. To top it off, she's been out of power since last Monday (Jan 26th) evening, which I feel really bad about! But, she just went on and on about how she was going to be the last person to get her power back, it was always like this, it was never gonna change, etc.... I wanted to shake her. She's been leaving early everyday this week to check on things at home before it gets dark, so I'm thinking she'll do that again today, NO, she stayed the full 10 hours. Even after we practically begged her to leave!!! I thought the Pharmacist was gonna go postal on her a couple of times. I was so glad to get away from her. Then I'm driving home and my cell phone rings--wait--I know what you're thinking........no it's not her, it's Doyle. He never calls me, that's probably my biggest complaint about him (what's wrong with calling just to chat?). He asked me out for supper, how sweet!!! We went to the little Mexican place here in town and enjoyed a nice meal, just the two of us. Between the 30 minute drive and supper out I think I have gotten Carolyn out of my system, it was actually therapeutic for me to rant on this topic. Course I just checked the schedule for next week and you guessed it, I work with her 3 out of the 4 days--I hope her electric is back on before Monday!!!!

Half-way point!

My work week is already half over, yeah!!! That's the great thing about 10 hour days, only 4 a week!! Monday went by really fast, I was busy doing my monthly unit inspections. Each tech is responsible for certain nursing areas of the hospital. Mine are OB and the Cath Lab. We have to physically check each med for out dates. Having these areas means I have 4 Pyxis machines to check. The Pyxis is an automated dispensing unit for the meds. A day of checking out dates slams me. I usually end up with a monster headache, probably because I should get my eyes checked. Along with the Pyxis we have to check the crash carts and floor stock. It's a bitch, that's why I try to get mine done early in the month and have it over with. I was really proud of myself to get all my area's done on the 2nd. Today was much better, I had a little more downtime. Tomorrow I will be the IV tech, which means making all the IV's plus mixing chemo. I always say, this is my day to play with needles. Hey, it could be worse, I could still be working at Wal-Mart. But I will give credit where it's due--if I hadn't worked at Wal-Mart Pharmacy then I wouldn't have had the experience to get the great job that I have now. So kudos to Wal-Mart for the training. LOL

The highlight of today had to be the little visitor I had at work. Chely and Patrick stopped by to drop off a movie they had borrowed (one of the "pirated" ones, so it needed to go to the next person on the list). Patrick is just so sweet--he didn't want to leave his Nana and gave me lots of hugs. Leave it to one of my grandkids to make my day!!

Who are you rooting for?

If you're a sports fan like I am today is both a good day and a bad day. Why? Well, it's good because we have the Super Bowl to watch. Bad because after this game all that's left to watch is basketball. I can't stand the NBA and I only get into college basketball at tournament time. So today's game is bitter sweet. Who are you rooting for? I don't really have a favorite pro football team, so I tend to go with the underdog. I will be rooting for the Cardinals today. (That seems weird to even type because as a kid watching football with my Dad, the Steelers were my team) Course that could change during the game, it all depends on how the game goes. If one team gets up by a bunch then I switch hoping the other team can come back. Call me wishy washy, I don't care.

Today, I need a turnstile to keep up with everyone!

Whew--my house was like Grand Central Station today! Since neither Doyle or I were working today we slept in, which we hardly EVER do, but it sure felt good. With the weather/work situation this week both of us have been pretty restless. Then the stream of visitors began: first Brad stopped by and surfed the net for awhile. My nephew called and said he & his little girl were on their way to the "farm" from Springfield and wanted to stop by and see us. Zoe & I had fun playing with the "Dora" dollhouse that I got on clearance at Wal-Mart. Then Brad and another nephew Luccus, stopped back by to check out the game camera pics and to surf the net some more. Then we ended up going into town to try out the new Mexican restaurant. There were 8 total in our group, but we got served pretty fast. It was okay, but I prefer the other Mexican place in town. Hard to believe that in a town of about 2500 we have McDonald's, Sonic, Pizza Inn, Subway, Blimpie's, Godfathers Pizza, KFC/Taco Bell, Casey's Pizza, a Chinese place, two Mexican places, a Sports Bar, a Bowling Alley w/restaurant, and three Mom & Pop Cafe's. Plus one of the grocery stores have an eat-in deli. Wow, I've never really listed them all before--that's a ton of places to eat for such a small town. Now, I'm off topic--anyway when we got home Brad and Luccus were gone, so it is quiet for now. I'll try to see Kurt & Zoe again tomorrow before they head back to Springfield, hopefully that will work out.

Weather update--thankfully we never lost power and our road was finally graded late Wednesday night. I ended up working on Thursday (I only missed one day), but Doyle's work was cancelled until Monday. Hopefully next week we will get back to our "normal" schedule.