Missing Marbles

I've moved!!!

2008-07-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

For those of you that have followed me in the past, well, I'm back. Check me out at my new place and let me know what you think!

At A Glance

NOW I KNOW MY ABC'S MEME

2006-07-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

Allright...my mama tagged me on this so away I go!!!

Accent: Well, I am from Colorado so I guess I have a Coloradoan accent? Apparently it's a real accent...I dated a guy once who was from back east and he told me I had an accent. Weird, but I guess I have one.

Bible book I love: Genesis...honestly I've only gotten half way through Genesis...is that awful of me?

Chore I don't care For: Dishes. I even have a dishwasher and I hate loading and unloading that thing. I think it's because, next to laundry, it's the chore that piles up so fast.

Dog or cat: Which do I prefer? Either one actually but I have a dog right now. A little (well, not so little) lab-sharpei puppy named Cody. She's a sweetie!

Essential electronics: My cell phone and my big screen TV. There are just too many shows I am addicted to.

Favorite movie: Gees, where to start. I love anything with Julia Roberts in it...except her movie Closer, that was awful. Other than that I don't have a "favorite"- I do love Baby Boom and The Witches of Eastwick. Those are great!

Gold or silver: Silver, all the way! If I own something gold it's by accident.

Handbag I carry most: A black purse I bought, like, 5 years ago at American Eagle. I am so not a handbag/purse/shoe kind of girl.

Insomnia: Sometimes but not so much now that Baby-Son started sleeping through the night. I never knew how much I valued sleep until I had my son.

Job Title: Escrow Processor...I work for a title insurance company.

Kids: a one year old named Cameron.

Living arrangements: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house that was built in September 2004. It has a 2 car garage, a finished (finally) front yard and a sort-of-finished backyard.

Most memorable moment: Duh! When Cam was born!

Naughtiest childhood behavior: Picking on my sister and by picking on I mean beating up...unfortunately.

Phobias: 1. Heights...more than 5 feet up and I get unhappy. 2. Spiders...just the thought of them makes me very unhappy. 3. Losing someone I love...that freaks me out and just flat-out depresses me.

Religion: Christian

Siblings: A younger sister, Mandy and an older brother, Gregory.

Time I wake up: During the week I get up at 5:30am. I need plenty of time to get ready before Baby-Son wakes up. On the weekends I get up when he wakes up which, thank God, is around 8am these days.

Unusual talent: I can do this funny clicking thing with my tongue. I can't really explain it, it's just weird and kind of funny. I can also do this funny croaking thing with my throat- my husband and sister hate it when I do it but it scratches my throat when it itches!

Vegetable I refuse to eat: All of them. No really, except corn and green beans.

Worst habit: I self criticize...all the time.

X-rays: Just of my mouth so I could get my wisdom teeth pulled. I'd rather have a baby than go through that again...seriously.

Yummy stuff I cook: I cook this dish that my husband likes to call Prison Slop. I prefer to call it Potato Chip Casserole. I also make yummy ghoulash, another hubby favorite, and a yummy pork chop dish called Clayton Pork Chops.

Zoo animal I like the most: Elephants- don't know why because all they do is stand there, swish their tails and pick their feet up but I like 'em!

Well then...I think I will go ahead and tag anyone who thinks this looks like fun, 'cause it was!!!!

A REAL EYE OPENER!

2006-07-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

OK, I have this problem...whenever I can't sleep my mind tends to wander. Not to nice happy things that might help me fall alseep. Nope. My mind wanders to anything under the sun that could freak me out or stress me out. This happened to me the other night...

Does everyone realize that Christmas is only 5 1/2 months away!!!!? Does that thought freak out anyone else!? Well, it freaks me out because EVERYONE, excpet Cam and Mandy, are nightmares for me to shop for. My in-laws are the worst. I never know what to get them and my husband, being the man he is, is not much help during this festive time. My parents are equally hard. Especially mom since she makes one list and gives it to both Mandy and I. My hubby is hard because eveything he wants has to be plugged into something and genereally costs upwards of $300.

My sister-in-law and I say every year that now is the time to start the shopping but what is a girl to do when she has no idea what to get people. Ever! I can't really ask people because then they would all think I am insane...it is a little to early for that.

That's really all this post is about. I just wanted to do a pulse check and see if anyone else gets the Christmas season anxiety. 'Tis the season!!!!

FRIDAY FEAST #2

2006-07-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Appetizer: When was the last time you visited the hospital?

To be honest, I have no idea...it was either when Andy's mom had her heart attack, his dad got diverticulitis or his sister started having major seizures. I hate to say this but his poor family has tons of medical problems. It's pretty scary most of the time.

Soup: On a scale of 1-10, how ambitious are you?

Well, at work I would say I am a 9 or 10. I am really working my butt off to get promoted to a closer one of these days. At home, when it comes to organizing and getting my house in order...I would say a 10 at heart but a 1 or 2 when it comes to actually doing it. It makes me tired to even think about all the things I need to do to get organized.

Salad: Make a sentence using the letters of a body part:

Lips- Love is perfectly splendid!

Main Course: If you were to start a club, what would the subject be and what would you name it?

I would start a club called MMA- Missing Marbles Anonymous and anyone who is as scatter-brained as me could come and talk about how un-organized and nuts-zoid their life is! Anonymously, of course.

Dessert: What color is the carpeting/flooring in your home?

You really want to know? OK- it's supposed to be creamy white but thanks to baby-son, Andy-man and Princess Codilums...well, it's not!

WHEN GOOD PETS ACT LIKE BAD PUPPIES!

2006-07-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

After my Aunt Bev's pet purging post, my cousin Sarah's post about all her pets (bless her heart!) and my mom writing about how Chelsea needs Zoloft (which she SO does NOT need), I thought I would join the pet bandwagon and share a photo...

That is Andy and I's couch that Princess Codilums destroyed when she was 6 months old. Is this the first couch she destroyed? Oh no...this is the second couch she destroyed. The first couch was Andy's ex-girlfriend's so I really could have cared less...well, except for the fact that we were couchless for a little while. That was fun...NOT. This poor couch was the couch I got when my Grandmother passed away. Ask my mom, this couch was hideous before Cody got ahold of it. It was a 1970's Ethan Allen couch that my grandma thought was stunning, spectacular, beautiful. We all smiled and nodded. :) Anyhoo, this is what our sweet dog did to our couch. I am embarrased to be showing this but this is truly what hppens when you have a lab/sharpei puppy!

Now, if I could pan around to the right (sorry, can't do that) you would all see holes in my wall where she would lay on her side and scratch...for hours while we were away. To the left side of the couch, there is a hole in the wall about 5 feet up...Andy blamed it on Cody. Hmmm, interesting? How could a puppy put a hole in the wall 5 feet up? Well, she runs under her Daddy's feet when he stands up, trips him and he uses the wall to break his fall! She also dug up the carpet in our bedroom and REPEATEDLY dug up the sprinkler system in our yard...imagine my surprise when I came home from work one day to find a mini-geiser in my front yard. Again, embarrassing and to this day I hope none of the neighbors saw. Thankfully, this all happened at our old duplex. Should I say "thankfully"? Probably not since we ended up OWING money when we left. But, she is our Princess and we love her. We love her even more now that she is potty trained and no longer has an interest in our couches or walls! You really would think she was a terror, completely hyper and fearless, right?

Wrong! This is the fearless terror hiding in our bath tub, behind the curtains because she is terrified of fire crackers. Even though there was a fire ban here in Junction, our neighborhood was CRAZY with fireworks and I seriously thought the poor thing was going to go into cardiac arrest. But, I did think this was pretty funny! My little chicken dog!

So, there is my pet story of the week. Trust me, she keeps me busy and I could come up with tons but I just thought I would give you all a taste of my puppy days! But, I love her so I'm gonna keep her around for awhile. Besides, she and Cam are buds!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

2006-07-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

If money were no object, what would I do? Well, well...let's get started!

1. I would absolutely pay off every bill we owe. Every last single one of them. I know it's pretty impossible to be completely debt free but this is Thursday Thirteen so anything is possible.

2. I would pay whatever it takes to get a professional landscaper here to finish the front yard, the side of the house and completely re-do what Andy and I started in the back yard. I totally dread next summer because that will be our summer project.

3. I would buy my husband a new Toyota Tacoma since that was what he REALLY wanted when we went truck shopping last month. He was a teeny bit disappointed but there was not a decent deal to be found on the Tacoma's. I'm glad he's warmed up to the Tundra but that's the truck I would buy for Andy-man.

4. I would buy Andy and I another house. This one would have 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, tons of open space, a three car garage and a fully landscaped yard!

5. I would then hire someone to come organize that dream house. I swear, that is my biggest downfall...I am so un-organized. So un-organized, in fact, that I drive myself crazy! That's bad, huh?

6. I would, without a doubt, start a college fund for Cameron. I know how hard it was for my mom and dad when I was in school and I see how hard it is for me now trying to pay off the loans!!!

7. Personal trainer, personal trainer, personal trainer...need I say more?

8. I love my vet, trust me, but if I had the money I would find a puppy specialist who could fix my dog for good. I feel awful for her!

9. I would buy my parent's movie tickets for whatever movies they wanted to see whenever they wanted to see them. They used to go to the movies all the time and I don't remember the last movie they saw!

10. I would buy my parent's their dream house - that older southern style house with the big wrap-around porch. Said house would be three doors down from my dream house...in case any of you were wondering!

11. I would buy my hubby a boat...not a hugemongous boat but one that he would love to take fishing. He could pull this boat with the new Tacoma I would buy him as well.

12. OK, now this may sound strange to some people...but I would havemoney put away for my next c-section delivery. We have good insurance but even good insurance doesn't foot the entire bill for a c-section and three and half days in the hospital. You know, they charged Andy and I $980.00 for every day that Cam stayed in the nursery? Funny, because he spent all but one day in our room with us! One year later and I am still paying off that bill- one of the reasons for #1.

13. Season tickets to the Colorado Avalance, baby!!!!!!!!

OOPS...I DID IT AGAIN...

2006-07-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I say? It's been one week since my last post...are any of you surprised? I am a terrible blogger! Everytime I think I am going to have some time to sit at my computer a load of laundry needs to be done or Cody needs her medicine or it's dinner and bed time for Baby-Son.

I do want to say thank you to everyone who left sweet comments on my last post about Cam's birthday party. I feel bad for not responding...my mother and sister left beautiful posts about their grandson/nephew and I loved them.

I have a little bit of time now because husband and son are sound asleep. Is anyone noticing a pattern here? I blog everytime the family is in bed...hmmm...

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY...

2006-06-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Exactly one year ago today, this is what I was doing. Well, not exactly one year ago since technically Cam wasn't born until 10pm, straight up, and it's pretty early in the morning here. Anyhoo, Here I was! Looks like fun, doesn't it? Well now, one year later, I can say that it was fun. If you would have asked me on this day a year ago I would have burst into tears and sobbed "no"! This was June 30th but all of this began the morning of the 29th- I was induced by my doctor at 11am, checked into the hospital at 3pm, labored until midnight and was then sent home. Back to the hospital at 8am the next day. Labored until noon at which point my doctor broke my water. That was disgusting and I am thrilled that I never have to experience that again...my contractions really hit about 5 seconds later. I lasted for all of 20 minutes before I practically begged for an epidural. Labored until 7pm and that's where the real fun began. I pushed and pushed and pushed. I said one bad word the whole time and felt really bad about it. I also felt bad for snapping at the nurse...she told me that she could see his hair and I told her to reach up there, grab it and get him out! Obviously that did not happen because I was being wheeled into the operating room for a c-section 2 hours later. Fun, right?

This sweet little thing is the reason I can say the experience was fun. This was my precious little first born son when he was one day old. He was so small! Well, not small enough since he got stuck and he had to be removed via c-section but whatever...here he is! He weighed 7lbs 7oz., was 20 1/4 inches long and named after his Papa (Cameron Robert). He had the darkest hair and for a couple of days it did this weird Bird-Of-Paradise flippy thing in the front. I loved him the minute he was born! I didn't get to see much of him right afterwards because my doctor had to knock me out after the delivery...I woke up about an hour and a half later to this beautiful little boy just staring at me. It was so awesome! For those of you who know me I'm sure you can tell right away that he looks just like his Daddy...I think the only thing he got from me was my dark hair and it's not even dark anymore. I miss him being this little but...

This stage is also great. Look at him...isn't he too cute!? He loves his bath time. He loves his stuffed monkey and stuffed frog, he loves goldfish crackers, Fruit Loops and orange sherbert push-ups. He loves Cody (our dog) and nana and papa. He loves his Aunt Mandy and Uncle Aaron. I KNOW he loves his Daddy (they're buddies!). He growls at you to be cute and screams at you when he's hungry or wants your food. He laughs when you tickle the inside of his thighs or under his chin. He cries when he has bad dreams and then clings to his mama until they go away and he can sleep peacefully again. All these things I have learned about my son over this past year.

Today he is one. One! I can hardly believe it because it still feels like I just brought him home. I can honestly say my life is better because of this child. I look forward to all the changes he will go through in the upcoming years and I look forward to all the things I'm sure he'll teach me. He will always be my baby...even when he's 50 with babies of his own. He is my first born son and that, to me, is precious. I thank God for him every day and I hope he knows, or will come to know, just how much I love him.

So Happy Birthday my sweet Cameron! Today is all about you and only you...

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

2006-06-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Thirteen things I am thankful for, huh? Well, I'm sure I have more than 13 but we can start here:

1. First and foremost- my Mom. For many reasons but mainly because I know she'll show me how to get my own TT icon so I don't feel like a TT loser. Seriously though, she is the world's best mom. She's Super Mom for heaven's sake and always has been.

2. My husband. He is my best friend and without him I would not have precious baby-son.

3. My job- I work for a great company in a great office with 13 ( hey, what a coinky-dink) of the greatest girls. Yep, all girls. Oh wait, we hired a guy to be our marketing rep a few days ago...whoops! Pray for him everyone! :)

4. Our new truck! Yee haw it has AC...need I say more? My Neon does not have AC and neither does Andy's older than dirt Firebird. Trust me, I am so thankful for this new truck!

5. My Budget Sheet...it has helped me get my act together financially and that is ALWAYS a good thing.

6. My dog, Cody. Without Princess Codilums I would not truly appreciate the value of a new couch!

7. My parents being able to move out here 2 months after I found out I was pregnant. I can't imagine them not being here to watch their grand baby grow up.

8. Starbucks...yummy, yummy, yummy. I'll take an iced mocha frappachino, please!!!!

9. My blogging friends- you are all so patient with me and my sporadic posting habits! Thank you!

10. Quack-qwee! I know my mom is the only person here who knows what quack-qweey is. Let me just explain that it is the funniest little duck toy thingy that kept my son entertained for hours when he was teeny.

11. My dishwasher- looking at my kitchen now I am going to REALLY love my dishwasher tomorrow morning!

12. High speed Internet...without it blogging would be a serious frustration for me.

13. My son, Cameron. He teaches me every day to be a better person. :)

Oh my heck, I could go on and on and on. I guess it's a good thing when you have a hugemongous list of things to be thankful for! What a positive TT this was. Thank you to my Aunt Bev for chosing the TT this week. I am THANKFUL you chose a topic that was so easy, fun and uplifting!

"LIVE, ON AMERICAN IDOL"

2006-06-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Week after week I heard Ryan Seacrest say those exact words over and over again. I used to think to myself, "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if it really were live?". Well, for Andy and I last night, it was! We got to see Carrie Underwood live!

Every year, Country Jam USA comes to Grand Junction. Well, it comes to Mack, Colorado, which is a "town" that has about 2 houses in it. But, when Country Jam comes the population multiplies ten fold. We heard on the radio last week that when Country Jam is in town, Mack is the highest populated town on the Western Slope, even if it is for just one weekend. Anyhoo, Country Jam- a four day concert series that, this year, featured groups like Surgarland, Gretchen Wilson, Alan Jackson and of course, Carrie Underwood. There were about 15 more but I can't remember them. Now, I'm not going to lie- it really is a huge 4-day party where people drink and act crazy. For three years in a row, me and a group of friends would head out to Country Jam to "mingle" and have fun. I was always to chicken to drink out there so I baby-sat mostly but back then I had a good time! They have a hugemongous piece of land that they turn into the world's largest campground that hold, seriously, probably 500 campers. It's nuts! But, a friend of mine at work won a bunch of tickets and gave me two so Andy and I could see Carrie.

The minute I got out there, I was immediately reminded of why I quit going to Country Jam. Holy, moly there were so many people and it was loud and dirty and hot. BUT, I really wanted to see Carrie. I guess I'm just old now- if and when I go to Country Jam I really do want to watch the concerts. So, Andy and I found our spot and went to find something to eat. Let me back up a sec- I have to thank, again, my hubby for even going out there with me. She was the headliner for the evening so her show didn't even start until 9:30. Andy got up and went to work at 4am and didn't get home until 5:30pm. He "slept" for an hour and a half and then got out of bed and took me all the way out to Mack. :)

I guess it was like any other concert we would go to- we sat about a half a mile away and watched her on a big screen TV. She looked adorable, as always, and was really a pleasure to see live. She covered most of the songs off her album and she even did 2 Gun's and Roses songs, which was pretty impressive because Gun's and Roses is a 90's heavy metal band! We were out there for about 2 1/2 hours before coming home, we were exhausted but both really glad we got to go. So, I guess it shows that some Idols really do live up to their title- I wonder if we'll ever see Taylor out this way? :)

"OPT ME OUT, SCOTTY!"

2006-06-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

I hate it when I go to my mailbox and instead of getting my latest People magazine there are 5 or 6 credit card offers for me and my hubby...each! "Your pre-qualified!", "Just sign and return to open your new credit line!", "0% APR on all account transfers!". Please, like I need another stinking line of credit. I'm working hard to get my credit score in near perfect condidtion here, people! What used to really strike my curiousity was how did they know I could qualify for a $25,000 PLATINUM Visa? I didn't ask for that...I never inquired about that at all. Hmmm...well, they have the greatest access to my credit report. Not good, in my opinion.

Being in the industry that I'm in, having a good credit score can open a lot of doors for you and it could also make or break the deal to your dream home! I attend a monthly certified closer luncheon where we have various guest speakers that speak about different, or new isues/laws/policies, in our industry. I missed last month's meeting but I was given a copy of the meeting minutes. Guess what one topic was? You guessed correctly, credit scores. Did you know that for every credit card offer you receive, your credit report is pulled and it takes 2-3 points off your credit score? I didn't know that...doesn't sound like a lot of points, right? But, they add up. I probably get 10-15 offers a month. I was a little shocked and even more irritated that I keep getting these offers that I promptly tear in half and throw away. What to do, what to do...

I was reviewing some documents this afternoon when I came across the greatest little address ever! The address for the National Opt-Out Center! These people can take your name off the marketing mailing lists for Experian, Equifax and TransUnion for two years!

For those of you who already knew this 1. I'm jealous and 2. I'm sorry if I am boring you. :)

This is perfect for me since I am trying so hard to improve my credit score...hence the Budget Sheet in my WFMW post. All you have to do is write to their address, ask them to remove your name from those three lists, give them your complete mailing address and social security # (don't freak...they probably can find it themselves!) and sign it. Bam! No more CC offers for two whole years! Now that is pretty cool to me. Besides, don't you think it should be up to you when your credit report is pulled? If you, and you alone, can screw up your credit then you, and you alone, should be able to prevent it from being screwed up!

Now, I did a teeny bit more research...this is not the same thing as the Do Not Call list...that's for telemarketers, which are awful as well. So, if anyone is interested in getting their name off nosey marketing lists, here's the address:

National Opt-Out Center

P.O. Box 97328

Jackson, MS 39288-7328

The two letters I typed this afternoon for my hubby and I are already signed, sealed and ready to go out in tomorrow's mail.

Thank you, everybody, for visiting Missing Marbles and her Friday soap-box presentation! :)

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY I AM NOT DOING A THURSDAY THIRTEEN

2006-06-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

1. Cameron

2. Andy

3. Work

4. Cameron

5. Andy

6. Work

7. Cameron

8. Andy

9. Work

10. Cameron

11. Andy

12. Work

13. Cameron.....

Hee, hee :)

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY...ON A THURSDAY!

2006-06-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

It seems I have a little catching up to do. Little Man is in bed sleeping peacefully with his favorite monkey (a gift from Papa) and his favorite frog. Daddy, after working a 65 hour week, is also in bed sleeping very soundly, I'm sure. So, this leaves me some free time to blog away!

I think I will start with my very own, and very first, Works For Me. Now, this is quite the acomplishment because NOTHING has really worked for me in the past year. I literally take things one day at a time. I have my father, Curmudgeon Central, to thank for this one. It's called my budget sheet...and it has worked like a charm for one whole year! A little history first...when I met my hubby and moved in with him, we decided right away that we would combine our checking accounts but I was in charge of the money. Heh, heh, definately did NOT work for me back in those days. He didn't keep a check register so I thought neither will I. Bad move, very bad move. So, to make a nasty story short the bank hated me for quite some time. Now, I am not proud of this fact, not proud at all. That is why, when I was 6 months pregnant, I ran the long trek (three houses down) to my parent's and bawled at their kitchen table because I had yet again flubbed up our account. That's when Dad, he who is almost as organized as mom, busted out The Budget Sheet.

Basically, what it is, is a document my dad created that broke out the month into 4 weeks. Each week had it's own little box with 6 more little boxes inside. Above the little boxes is one box that you write down what your paycheck is going to be. In the little boxes you write down what bills you have due for that week and how much is owed. With a little basic subtraction you can figure out what you are spending on bills for that week and how much money you will have left over for whatever!

This has worked wonders for me. I get paid twice a month and Andy gets paid once a week so not only are my bills paid ON TIME, the bank loves me again. I have not bounced a check in alomst a year and I have started keeping a check register again. The beginning of every month I sit down and fill in my Budget Sheet and I am good to go for the whole month. Talk about having your paycheck spent before you even get it, but this works for me!

WHAT WERE WE THINKING?

2006-06-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

When Andy and I decided to buy a house we decided to buy one that was going to be built from the ground up. We would go in and pick the carpet we wanted and the tile we wanted. We would get to pick where all the phone and cable jacks went. Heck, we could add concrete wherever wanted to as well! What I guess we forgot was all the landscpaing that would have to be done...by us and us alone. Yes, we could have chosen to roll landscaping into our closing costs but we were already having down payment assistance rolled into our closing costs so why add more. Hmmm.....wondering if that was a great idea or not.

Yes, that is my hubby, standing in a hole 5 feet deep. Cute, huh? Well, not so cute if you knew why he was standing in a hole 5 feet deep. The brilliant people who built our house told us that they would mark with spray paint where we needed to dig to get to the main water line for our sprinkler system. Our house was built in the summer of '04 and it must have been a hot one because they MISSED the dang water line by four feet and mis-marked our house. I swear it took my hubby and his best friend 5 hours to dig that hole. Thankfully they laughed this off. Trust me when I say that putting in a sprinkler system is hard work and this would have easily irked me if I was the one digging.

This is not the first place we started either. No, no, no...our landscaping feat started 2 weeks before we actually moved into our house. We have a dog, a precious lab-sharpei we call Cody, or Princess Codilums for long. :) Our back yard is pretty big. Three things do not go well together in a new house: a dog, a huge dirt backyard and new carpet. So, two weeks before we moved in we spent upwards of a $1000 to buy sod so she would have a safe place to pee and play. Again, my hubby set to work and three days later we had sod...but no sprinkler system in the back because we are smart first time home buyers, and I say that sarcastically. It's a pain to move a sprinkler all around the yard these days! What the heck were we thinking? So, the sprinkler system we have now is just for the front yard...the back yard gets to wait until next summer because we are working on the front yard this summer.

This big 'ol rock pile has been sitting in our driveway for a month. Because of my hubby's work schedule we get landscaping done a little at a time. Now, I have to say that putting rock down is the easiest part of landscaping ever! Someone comes and dumps it, you shovel it into a wheelbarrow, roll it over to where you want it, dump it out and spread it all around. Piece of cake really. This afternoon, after sweet hubby-love gets home from work, we (with the help of my dad) will finish the skinny side of the driveway and call it good for rock in the front yard. Next we get to deal with the weeds that are popping up in the new grass we planted. Grrrrr....

So, hopefully this will explain where I have been and why things have been hectic around here. Factor a baby into the plan and it's gets even trickier. Speaking of baby-son...his Baby Einstein video is over and he's not too happy about it! Ta ta for now!!!!

2006-06-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am after a long time away from the blogging world and the dynasty. So sorry everyone but you will see where I have been on my next post. Mom explained the whole copywritten icon rule (which she broke, ha ha) so she gave me permission to use this cute one that has her name on it. Hey, mothers pass things down to their daughters, including icons sometimes. Friday Feast...what a cute idea! I like posts that have me answering questions...makes it easy. :) So here goes!

Appetizer

What is a word you use that would not be considered common?

Hugemongous and ginormous...OK, I KNOW that these words do not exist. So, that counts for not being common, right? Although, I did see on my cousin Dan's blog that he used the word hugemongous. I think that was the word he used...our word may become common after all!

Soup

What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?

Well, I did have a really cute apple calendar on the wall in my office. Then my sweet hubby decided to put his THIRD TV on the desk (A 27" TV on my desk, in my office, fabulous!)), which knocked it off my wall. Not sure where it is now SO I usually just use the calendar at work, which is Microsoft Outlook.

Salad

Name 3 people you speak with by telephone on a daily basis.

I call Mom everyday, whether she is watching my son or not. I call her for everything, even if I'm just bored and have absolutely nothing to say. I also talk to my husband several times a day, again about something or maybe nothing at all. I also talk to our title plant in Montrose on a daily basis and that's always work related so I would rather talk to mom and Andy.

Main Course

If you could buy a new outfit for someone, who would it be and what would you purchase for them?

Honestly, my hubby. And I would buy him some new shorts. He needs some in a bad way, especially for work. He works for Frito Lay and he has to work outside so he gets pretty hot. Long pants just don't cut it this time of year. Hey, maybe I will get him some when I am out getting his Father's Day gift today!

Dessert

What's the last beverage you drank?

I had a diet root beer last night with my sesame chicken and egg rolls

CAM'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

2006-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that I am sooooo excited for Camerons' first birthday? I mean, really excited. So excited that I booked the park in March. There is just something so cool about throwing a birthday party for my kid. That is still so strange for me to say, "my kid". I feel like I just gave birth to him!

Anyhoo- some people think I am a dork because I am having a birthday party for my 1 year old who won't remember the day but I don't care. I already have a theme picked out...Baby Einstein!!!! I think the Baby Einstein characters are so adorable and Cam cracks up at the elephants. Last weekend (before the Rotavirus hit) I bought his cute little invitations to send out. I got party hats for the littler kids in the family to wear, as well as, little treat bags to make for those kids. Hey, I got treat bags when I went to b-day parties so why not, right? I bought cake plates and napkins, all with the Baby Einstein characters, and plan to buy red plates to match for the BBQ food. Oh yeah, that's the plan by the way. A big ol' cook out with lots of yummy food and cake! I'm thinking about taking a picture of the Baby Einstein caterpillar to Wal-Mart and having the cake made with him on it. :)

The sweetest thing I got for him was this little felt hat that says "It's My First Birthday". How cute, huh? PLEASE tell me there are other mothers out there that got excited for the first birthday! I am going to get balloons in primary colors to decorate the picnic area with and I am thinking about having Jimmy Buffett playing in the background. Hee, hee...what a dorky mom I am!

Hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death...I had to think of something to Blog about before everyone stopped coming to visit me! I can not be the slacker in the dynasty, that would be awful! So, please feel free to stop by and tell me what a big silly mommy I am for wanting to play Jimmy Buffet at my son's birthday party. His FIRST birthday party! Woohoo!!!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

2006-06-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, everyone wrote these sweet and serious things they love about themselves. But, given the weekend I had, mine is a little more comical. Hey, I need a little humor in my life and who better to poke fun at than me!!! Here goes:

1. I love that I'm a bookworm. A true bookworm even though I have had a baby. I take my books to work and read them on my lunch hour.

2. I love that I seem to make people laugh. And that makes me feel good. At least I'm not making people cry!

3. I love that I have no problem throwing things away. Ask mom, I hate clutter. Hate it! So, if it serves absolutely no useful purpose in my life...goners!

4. I love that I burst out in song in my office. Ever feel like singing a little tune? Well, I do. And it isn't always the one playing on the radio. Most of the songs I sing at work are commercial jingles.

5. I love that I don't shop as much as I used to. Trust me, that is a good thing. Unfortunately I am still paying for clothes I can't fit into anymore.

6. I love that when I DO shop, I have no problem shopping in PJ's. Most of my shopping trips are quick trips so who cares, right?

7. I love that I learned to budget. Hee, hee...it took me a little while but with my father's help I got it all figured out!

8. I love that I love trucks! I would love to own a Nissan Titan or a Toyota Tacoma. I have a little neon now and it's a little girly...I would like to sit up a little higher on the road. I'm short so I have a "small" complex.

9. I eat the same things when I go to restaraunts. ALWAYS sesame chicken, ALWAYS pepperoni pizza, ALWAYS lasagna...etc. etc.

10. OK, to get a little personal here...I love that I take a book to read when I go to the bathroom! Sorry, but it's more quiet time for me to read!!!

11. I love that I take 35 minute showers...and HOT ones. Again...more me time...without the book, of course.

12. I love that my hubby picked me. That is the most wonderful feeling in the world. And it's also great that he thought it was cool to have babies with me!

13. I love that I survived Rotavirus!!! Enough said!!!

I'M SORRY!

2006-05-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been one hell of a holiday weekend. Let's just take the word holiday out of that sentence. If I never have to deal with Rotavirus again, I will be a happy mommy, wife, daughter, sister. But, let's face it...Andy and I want two more kids so there's the huge chance I will deal with this horrible virus again.

I am writing this post mainly to apologize to the Dynasty for my absence from the blogging world. I was so not prepared for this and it has kept me out of touch. I'm sorry. I am up to my elbows in landry (this is actually my, I don't know, 6th load of "sick" baby clothes, as I like to call them), 7up and Pedialyte. I am trying my best not to get sick because then who would take care of my family? :( For those of you who have children or read my mothers latest post, you understand where I am coming from.

So, as soon as I am back up to par and have a "cleaner" topic of conversation to discuss, I'll be back!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

2006-05-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

THIRTEEN
REASONS
WHY
I LOVE
MY HUSBAND

1. First and foremost....he is a great father. And I mean GREAT father. He loves his son so much and can not wait until he gets older so they can do "boy stuff" together.

2. He tries to include me in his boy hobbies (such as fishing and hunting) even though he knows I am so not an outdoorsy type of girl.

3. His father and his brother are his best friends. They were both his best men at our wedding. How cool and how special, huh?

4.He watches ALL my favorite shows with me. Well, except forDesperate Housewives but he watches everything else I love to watch. I'm talking reality shows here.

5. Spiders...he squashes them dead for me even though he gives me THE hardest time about being a chicken.

6. He eats whatever I cook for him. I only have 6, maybe 7, meals that I can cook well. The poor guy is probably so bored with meals and we are only into our second year of marriage!

7. He loves to wrestle and play around with me. Well, it's more like he tries to karate chop me all the time but it can be fun...sometimes.

8. He now faithfully checks his pant pockets for pens and chap stick before he puts them in the hamper.

9. He buys me flowers on Valentines Day, Mother's Day and my birthday. Lots of brownie points when he does that.

10. He fills my Christmas stocking to the brim and has fun doing it, I think. I hope. :)

11. He picked out my new eyeglasses! This is a big thing because he could generally care less what clothes, shoes, hair stuff I buy.

12. He likes Chinese food just as much as I do. Which is good because I crave sesame chicken ALL the time.

13. He gave me Cody (my dog) for my birthday three years ago. He knew we couldn't have a dog in the house we were renting but he brought her home for me anyway because I loved her to pieces the minute I saw her.

I really could go on and on about this but it's the Thursday Thirteen so I guess I have to stop. :(

WHERE ARE ALL THE FANS!?

2006-05-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

OK, I know I am not the only person in this dynasty that loves, and I mean LOVES, American Idol. Please tell me I am not the only one? I know my mother watches it and my sister...anyone else?

I almost boy-cotted this show...again. I still can't believe that they voted Chris off...I truly think he could have won the whole thing. I'm not too worried because someone like him is bound to get a contract...the sooner the better in my opinion. But, I am glad that Taylor and Katherine are in the top two. C'mon....anyone feeling the McPhever here? I love her voice- she reminds me of a younger Norah Jones...I would absolutely buy one her albums.

Taylor...gotta love Taylor. He looks like a chubby Robert DeNiro...well from the eyes up anyway. He, to me, is a breath of fresh air. In my profile I said I listen to any kind of music except classical. BUT, I am tired of the hip hoppers...I listen to hip hop and R&B almost everyday when I am flipping through stations and I have to tell you...they are all starting to sound the same. The world needs and American Idol like Taylor. His music would be so much fun, so full of energy and we do need some Bob Seger type of music coming back. Don't you think?

OK, so now you all know that I am a freak when it comes to American Idol. I even managed to get my hubby hooked even though he would NEVER admit it. So, if anyone out there watches it faithfully like me (besides Mom), just know that I am excited for this week but also sad because this is the final week. I wouldn't mind if either one of them won because I think they are both spectacular, but I am really rooting for Taylor. Let's Go Soul Patrol!!!!!!!

SNAKES, SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS

2006-05-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is what little boys are made of, huh? Well, that's a bummer because I REALLY hate snakes and I'm not too fond of snails either. In fact, I don't like anything creepy, I hate anything crawly and I can not stand anything that can fly or jump within 5 feet of me.

I went to a BBQ at my brother-in-laws house and they have two little boys. Well, not too little I guess. One is 7 and the other is 11. The 11 year old is into cool clothes and video games while the 7 year old is into...you guessed it...bugs! And frogs, and snakes and lizards etc. etc. He is a brilliant little boy who at the present time is studying life cycles in the first grade. I was sitting at the kitchen table with my little man, waiting to help out where needed, when this brilliant little 7 year old walked up to me and said "Look, Aunt Krissy!". In my face he shoved a little bug cage, with the door open of course, and inside was the BIGGEST moth I had ever seen. It was horrible and gross and nasty all at the same time. It was hanging on to the top of the cage for dear life because the cat ate it's wings. OK, gross!!! I'm not kidding, this thing had to be 4 inches long and as thick as a hot dog. I jumped up, quickly, and ran to the other end of the table. This kid had the funniest look on his face- he must have thought I was the biggest chicken in the world. I told him, very nicely, that Aunt Krissy does not like any type of bug...at all! He cracked up and behind me my brother-in-law told me I had better get used to it because Cameron would some day love bugs, too. Great.

Which brings me to my dilemma. What in the world am I going to do!? I hate bugs! They literally make my skin crawl. I have severe arachnaphobia- have you seen the movie? Well, those spiders were huge and the saying "The camera adds 10 pounds" definitely applied to those spiders. Aren't mommies supposed to be supportive of their little ones and their interests? What do I do when Cameron brings a bug home- play with it? Do I have to touch it? Will I hurt his feelings if I freak out? I know I have a few years before I have to really start worrying about this but still...I am in deep doo doo here.

I am hoping, PRAYING that my Aunt Bev has some good advice for me. If I remember correctly, Dan loved bugs...every kind. How did she handle it when he brought home a new creature? In fact, if there is any Mommy out there that can help, I would much appreciate it. :)

WHAT THE HECK TOOK ME SO LONG?

2006-05-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well...Look who decided to join the blogging world. I have to admit, I am a little surprised by the fact that I am actually writing my first blog. So, everyone, please be patient with me...I am a little nervous and am suffering from writers block already!

I have to be completely honest here...I gave my mother a very hard time when she told me she started blogging. I told her she was silly, I teased her about being a computer nerd and what not. She MADE me go to her website and read her first blog. Very impressive, I will admit that. My mother has always been a wonderful writer. But, I told her that I really didn't see myself with a enough time in my day to be hopping on and off her website. What a rude daughter, huh? I must have been extremely sleep deprived that day.

I think my interest in blogging really began when my mom told me that the "dynasty", being my family, were all bloggers. This was right about the time my cousin, Sarah, was due to have Addison. After Addison was born and my mom was telling about the struggles she was having, I immediately became concerned for my cousin and her family and logged on every day to see any updates. That was it...that was all it took. I started to read Sarah's other posts and quickly became hooked. I noticed the links to my Aunt Bev and grandmother and checked out their blog spots. THEN my sister, Mandy, came up with a blog and I thought "OK, if she, a teacher with a classroom full of small children, can find time to blog then so can I!". And by this time I was starting to feel completely out of the loop!!! Something had to be done about this because, at the risk of sounding childish, I hate to feel left out. Even at 26 years old. Call it the kid in me, I guess. :)

So here I am!!!! After my mom slaved her entire Saturday away to get me set up with my own blog, I now join the family dynasty. I told my husband that I had my own blog and he cracked up. He called me a fruit loop, a lovely pet name he has for me because he thinks I am nuts most of the time. That's OK, I gave birth (AFTER 36 hours of labor which ended in a c-section) to his son and therefore feel entitled to act like a fruit loop when I chose.

So, to end this wonderful first blog of mine, I leave you with a few warnings: 1. This is all still very strange to me so please be patient. My mother had to show me this very wacky way of starting a new papragraph. Strange, very strange. 2. I have a 10 month old so my thoughts tend to wander and I may jump subjects every now and then. I apologize for this now. 3. I do not pride myself on my writing skills. Everyone in my family are beautiful writers and I still need some practice. I tend to tell stories better in person so it may take some getting used to to put them in writing. 4. I talk a lot about my husband, my son and my dog. They are my life, my entire world, my reason for walking this earth and no one brings me greater pleasure than these three people (my dog is a people). There are other people, like my family, that bring me joy but I'm sure you all know what I mean. And last, but not least, 5. I insert smiley faces and frowns. Can't help it- it is a typing habit I can not break. This drives some people crazy so, again, I apologize to anyone who hates typed smiley faces and frowns.

On that note, I will publish this and see what you all think. I take constructive crticism very well so please feel free to be completely honest with me. I do not get offended easily so I grant permission for people to tell stories about me, if they like. As long as they are nice. :) And honest. :)

TEST POST

2006-05-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is a test post for Krissy!

Blog Photo for Profile

2006-05-20T10:25:00.000-07:00