Frustration

I am frustrated today.

I'm not sure if it was the dog jumping on my bed at 7:30 this morning or the text from my daughter....."when is dinner?" after working all day, that set off the mood.  I'm pretty sure it may be both!

I have hopes that tomorrow will be better.
I don't have to work tomorrow.
The girls will be home.
We are thinking of going to see a movie.

The girls are having their combined birthday party on Friday night.
That will mean a trip to the grocery store to pick up snacks.
I think they are planning on doing some shopping with their Christmas money.  I would love to chill in the basement and watch some bowl games....  It is hard to believe that football season is just about over!  Sadness :{

Time for me to get going on some reading!
I have a few real books to finish before I will allow myself to start reading with my Kindle.  That means I need to bust out some serious reading time :}

I bet it will get me out of my frustrated mode too...

Hugs!
Jeanette

Christmas 2010

All is quiet at our house.
For the moment.

Our Christmas festivities are done and we are enjoying a semi quiet day.

Christmas Eve was a wonderful day of fun at our house with my side of the family.  Sadly, my brother's family was sick so they did not make it.  But the rest of us had a great time!  Plus we got about 5 inches of snow the day/night before so it was beautiful outside!!!

Christmas Day was spent at Bill's sisters house.
We enjoyed that time as well!

Today we headed to church and then home.
Gabby is spending a few days in Wisconsin with Ryan and his family.  While they are gone we are dog sitting for them.  Add that to our newest addition (see below) and we have had an exciting day.  Let's just say that Suzie rules the roost in the dog world at our house :}

We added a family member at the last minute.
Bill got an early Christmas present.
Echo,
a Rott-Husky mix.
joined our family on the 23rd.
He is 6 months old and is about 50lbs (with huge paws).
He was very good around all the people and did really well with the kids.
He was completely exhausted that night!
Overall he has been very good.
A few accidents but he is a quick learner and we are working hard at training him.
For some reason, he insists on running outside before we go out the door.
We are trying to nip that quickly!
So far he "sits" and "stays" and we may have the jumping thing down.  He was going after our hands to get his treat but he hasn't done that today at all so I am hoping he is over that too. 

I have been second guessing this decision since we brought him home.  I didn't want a puppy - I wanted a dog at least 2 years old but preferred about 5 years old.  One that was calm and more laid back.  I have to admit he hasn't been as wild as I thought he would be.  I just pray that he stays that way!  Now, what will we do with him when softball season starts??

I got the upstairs cleaned today and put away some of the Christmas stuff.
I don't want the Christmas decor to consume my time so I thought I would just put away a little at a time.  Tomorrow will be the main floor so maybe I will put away everything but the tree.
Although I enjoy this time of year, I had a hard time with Christmas this year.  It just didn't feel like Christmas to me.  I think the Maui vacation messed me up!

I am praying that you all had a great Christmas!
Enjoy your time with family :}

Hugs,
Jeanette

School's out!

School's out
school's out
teacher's let the monkeys out!

Finals are finally over and our girls are doing a dance.
We are too!

Abby pulled all A's and one B.
Gabby pulled 4 A's and 3 B's.
She got a B in Physics!!!
(insert HUGE dance here!)
We have the next 12 days or so to enjoy no homework :}

We celebrated tonight.
Bill and I went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 3D and then we went to dinner.  Good movie and good food!  The girls had a birthday party to go to.  Don't know if they are spending the night or not.  Guess we will see :} 

Tomorrow I will head back into work to decorate cakes.
Bill and the girls will get to hang at home or go shopping.
We are headed out to celebrate Abby's birthday dinner at 5 Guys Burgers tomorrow night.
Thursday will find me back at work for a few hours and then I am off until next Tuesday.

I have been a really good girl this year so I really hope that Santa brings me what I have asked for.....an E reader.  Books are taking over the house and I don't know what to do with them all.

I'll let you know!

Hugs,
Jeanette

The weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful

Well,
the craziness of vacation is over.

Sadly,
our tans are beginning to fad :{

Yesterday,
I spent the day with a girlfriend.
We went up to Aurora to an outlet mall.
It was FANTASTIC!
It rained to whole day but I was able to pick up a few things for the girls for their birthdays.
We are already planning another shopping day in the spring!
Look out
Coach, Vera Bradley & Dooney & Bourke!!
Ann Taylor has become a favorite too :}

Today we are experiencing a blizzard.
I think it has been at least 20 years since I have seen winds and conditions as they are today.  We made it into church this morning but boy was it nasty when it was time to go home!
We have been relaxing all afternoon and enjoying some time at home.  Gabby still had to work so we took her in and will pick her up.  We don't know if they will have school tomorrow with the winds continuing to blow.  We are hearing of power outages in our area but we have not had any trouble.  We have kept our fireplaces on all day in case we do lose power.  We can stay warm.

We are watching Pearl Harbor.
What a great movie!
One of my favorite lines....
"A lot of people frown on the Yanks for not getting into this war.  If there are boys like you back home, God help anybody that goes to war with America."
Ain't that the truth!
With all that is wrong with our country,
we are blessed to have men and women that give up everything to fight for us!

That about wraps it up for me tonight.
Time to throw dinner in the oven.

Stay warm everyone!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Maui pics

As promised, I am posting pics of our trip.

The view from our room.

The girls on the beach the first day.

Crazy people jumping off the black rock into the ocean.

The girls with their first sand castle!

Black crabs on the rocks in Lahaina.

We sat and watched them while we are Coldstone ice cream.
Macadamia nut - YUMMY!

The local shopping center had a great tree.

It wouldn't be a trip to Maui without someone letting it all hang out!
Actually, there is more than one someone but I thought it would be too much to take pictures of all of them!!

The girls had fun with the giant checkerboard.
The pieces are made of coconuts!

Gabby is all ready to jump in for snorkeling :}

Our snorkel spot!
The water is clear and you can see to the bottom.

This is a prime surfing spot.
No - we did not try it :}

These swans were at home at one of the hotel ponds.

Sunset on the beach.

I LOVE this picture!
I took it with the panoramic setting.

Our last night in Maui.
I know it doesn't look like we have much of a tan but we do!
We actually have tan lines :}
The temps were in the 80's every day.

There were a few rain showers but nothing that kept us off the beach or by the pool!

Today, I was busy with laundry and getting everything put away.
We are now watching Elf and trying to stay warm!
Bill is all covered up with a blanket on the couch next to me.
This is saying something as he never uses a blanket.

All my Christmas decor was up before we left so all I had to do was plug it all into their timers.  I am all so happy I did it all before we left.  I am completely exhausted tonight!  We got 12 hours of sleep last night but jet lag is quickly taking over.  Bill and I have got the congestion stuff going on too so that doesn't help!  Pretty sure that is from all the coughing and hacking people on our flight to Maui.
Nice - thanks for sharing!

Hope everyone had a blessing Thanksgiving!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Home Sweet Home

We made it home from Maui.
I still feel like I am on a plane.
I will upload a ton of pictures I promise!
But tonight is just laundry and getting rest.

We haven't slept since Wednesday night.
Our flight left Maui at 10:45pm Maui time on Thanksgiving night.
That would be 2:45am Friday morning in Peoria.
That 5 hour flight took us to L.A. X
And then an immediate 3 hour flight to Dallas Fort Worth.
After a 3 hour lay over in Dallas we finally got to get onto our 2 hour flight to Peoria.
It ended up being 12+ hours of travel time.
I know it sounds like a crazy flight plan but it was actually shorter than our flights out to Maui.  That was 16 hours of travel time.

Anyway, we had a wonderful relaxing time on vacation.
We are happy to be home and able to rest a few days before reality hits us on Monday.  We came home to cold temps, winds and snow falling (nothing big just enough for us to see in the headlights).  A 50 degree difference in 1 day!  Bbbbrrrrr!

More to come!

Jeanette

Aloha!

This post is going to be short and sweet.
It has been a crazy week.
Tomorrow we leave for vacation.

Thus, the crazy week!

I have put in double time at work to keep the kids from doing my job.
For this, all will be thankful!

Currently, the countdown is on.
12 hours from now I will be jumping in the shower.
In an effort to wake myself up for our day of travel.

To Maui!

The 9 hour flight is not something I am looking forward to.
But a week of undivided attention with my hubs and girls is priceless!

No cell phones (ok me and the hubs are taking ours)
No computers
No appointments
No work
No laundry, vacuuming, dusting.

See?

Heaven!!

Tons of pictures to follow.

Aloha!

Jeanette

Happy Halloween!

Meet our Hershey's Kiss and Sarah Palin....

Gabby has been looking forward to Halloween for months!
She got to wear her costume to work.
I think it was fitting for an evening at Coldstone :}

We varied our schedule yesterday and went out for dinner and a movie instead of staying home.
We went to see Red and had dinner at Jillians.
Both were good - haven't laughed at a movie that hard in a long time!
We went with Gabby's boyfriends parents.
They are good friends of ours.
It was fun and I can't wait to do it again :}

This week brings a quiet week with most of our nights at home.
I'm going to try out our new Aldi tomorrow.
It opened on Friday.
I don't usually shop there because it is too far away.
But a new one opened about 3 miles from my house.
I don't know if it will be a regular thing or not but it is worth a try to keep the grocery bill down.

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Colder than....

So, all of the sudden it is colder than "a well diggers foot in a klondike" outside.

I don't really know what that means but my dad says it all the time in reference to cold so I'm going with it!

Last week it was gorgeous.
My windows were open and my ceiling fans were on.
Tonight, I have turned on the fireplace and my furnace will kick on sometime in the night.
(I try every year to make it to 11/1 before turning on my furnace.  I was so close!)

You would think that I would be used to this weather in Illinois.

But this October has been extremely warm and wonderful!  We made it through all our band competitions without freezing our tails off.  Every football game with the exception of 1, was warm and pleasant.  That 1 was warm but a little rainy. 

As I type it is 38 degrees.
The low tonight is going to be in the 20's.
I'm not ready for this yet.
I need more than three 50 degree days in order to get me prepared for the colder temps.  Like three or four weeks worth of 50 degree days!

This weekend is our first weekend off in at least a month.  I can't wait to sleep in.  And when I say sleep in, I mean sleep in.  My blackout curtains keep our bedroom pitch dark and we can sleep until 10am.  That, my friends, would be a slice of heaven.  I will jump on the treadmill for my run, take a nice long hot shower, put on my comfy sweatshirt and yoga pants, and turn on college game day to watch some college football.  Sometime during the afternoon I will probably fall asleep because sleeping until 10am was not enough sleep and I will need to nap for at least 2 hours.  We will end the day with some piping hot chili that has been cooking in the crock pot all afternoon.  This is what I consider to be a PERFECT fall day!  This will make up for the 5:30am Saturdays that we have been having.  And I think you will agree, we deserve it!

What are your plans for the weekend??

Hugs,
Jeanette

Dunlap Marching Eagles U of I

As promised, I found someone that had taken a video of Saturday's performance at  U of I (thanks Kris!)!  Please excuse the moving camera and enjoy the show.  Gabby starts out on the left 45 yard line (in flag corp) and goes all over the field - you won't be able to see exactly which one she is...







I like the second half of the show better than the first but overall I love the whole theme of the show!  I love that you can hear the clips of speeches from some of our past Presidents.  I know that one is Ronald Regan and another is Abe Lincoln but I don't know who the other quote comes from.  Their last performance is on Saturday night.  We will be happy and sad.  Even with all the drama this year has brought, it has been a good year!  This show gives me goose bumps and brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the tribute that the show brings to those who have served and who are serving in our military.  Congrats Marching Eagles :}

Enjoy!

Jeanette

2 in 1 week?!

Wow!
Two posts in 1 week.

Pick yourself up off the floor :}

Today started at oh-dark-hundred.
It was the big University of Illinois marching band competition.
It is what we call the "State" competition.
You know.
When the baseball team goes to "State"
Well, this is the same thing except with marching bands.

So, Gabby had to be at school at 6:15.
Actual arrival time was 6:30ish.
Nobody cared!

Once she got to school, I hopped in the shower
and got Abby up so she could get to volleyball practice by 8:30.
We dropped her off and headed to U of I.

Dunlap took the field at 11:30ish.
They looked great and the crowd LOVED the show.
I will admit that there is a portion of the show that gives me goosebumps and today I almost cried. 
Lame!
I know!!

Their show is very patriotic and combine that with narration of quotes from past Presidents and you get a powerful show.
It was exciting.

At this very moment we are awaiting the results to see if the judges like the show.

I will keep you posted....

Gabby is out with Ryan and company.
Abby is off with a few of her friends to a haunted house.
I'm sure she will never want to do it again!
It is one of the scarier ones in the area.
She and her friends will return to our house to watch SNL.
Not sure why but they have gotten hooked on that show.
I used to enjoy it but it isn't the same as when we were younger!

She has decided to be Tina Fey dressed as Sarah Palin for Halloween.
She is hosting a party here and I thought it was perfect for her.
She loves Sarah and is trying to get her accent down so she sounds Alaskian and not Wisconsinish.

Gabby will be a Hershey's Kiss.
She gets to dress up at work and thought that would be a good idea.
Love Ebay!!

We have been watching college football since 3 pm.
We haven't been home on a Saturday for 4 weeks.
It has been glorious and I got in a nap too!
One more week of volleyball and band and we are officially on an athletic hiatus!

Life at home will resume again....
ahhhhh!

UPDATE:  We placed 3rd in our class at U of I. 
I know Gabby will be disappointed but they placed this year.
They didn't last year!

I will see if I can upload a movie of their show.
I'm sure that somebody has it on video.

Hugs to all!

Bama is on....

Jeanette

Ruts

I'm in a rut.
I don't like ruts.

They are hard to get out of.....


Wake up
Get the girls up
Crawl back into bed for just a few more minutes.
Check the girls again (well usually one is up and one is procrastinating!)
Get going on household chores.

Laundry

dishes

ironing

vacuuming
Shower and head to work

or bible study

or Mops

or the grocery store.


I know this schedule works for me as I have been doing it for years.
I'm just tired of doing it.
ALL

OF

IT!


Is that wrong??
I'm tired of doing those things.
I don't want to do those things anymore.
So,
for today

I'm not!


Today, when I get done at work
(wish I didn't have to go in but I must!)
I'm going to come home and
read
or just watch tv
or take a nap.


Because maybe that will get me out of this rut!

Hugs!
Jeanette

ps - do you like the fall look?  Julie helped with the header!! 
Thanks Julie - I LOVE YOU!!!

Volley for the Cure

Tonight was Volley for the Cure.
The teams put baskets together to be raffled or auctioned off.
They sold pick t-shirts.
They wore pink t-shirts and pink socks.

They played with pink volleyballs.

The refs had pink whistles.
There were pink tutus and even some pink hair!

The treat table had pink rice crispy treats and volleyball cookies.
Tickets were purchased and pledges were made.

We waited with baited breath to see if we would win.
We did!
Abby's team put together a beauty basket with tons of cool stuff!
I claimed the Hershey's candy bar (because chocolate IS part of my beauty regimen!).  I also claimed the peppermint scented & shea-infused lounge socks.  The socks had these instuctions....

Tumble-dry low.  Do not iron.
Really?
I shouldn't iron my socks?!
Dang!
I was looking forward to adding them to my ironing pile :}

On to other news.....

Marching band is continuing to eat up our Saturdays.
This past weekend we were about an hour away.
The school literally sits in the middle of miles and miles of cornfields.
The wind was brutal to the poor flag girls.
But we triumped and won Grand Champion plus 1st place for parade, percussion and flags.  Next weekend is on to some tougher competition and we are praying that the kids can pull off a clean show.  Their theme this year is Revolution & Triumph and I have to say it is pretty cool!  I will let you know how they do.

Sunday the girls had a small softball round robin with their softball team for next summer.
They won all three games and did pretty well overall.
The girls played with some of the girls 2 years ago and loved the team.
They are excited to be back playing with girls that are pretty much drama free (and so are we!)

Time for me to chill and enjoy some down time.

Hugs all!

Apples and volleyball

Life has calmed down a bit once Homecoming was over.
We have returned to regular evenings of homework and volleyball games.

Today was my regular cleaning, grocery and laundry day.
Made much more fun with a sick kid.
Abby is running a fever, has a headache and is really congested.
I really hope she makes it back to school tomorrow.
We shall see.
She slept most of the day and did some of her homework already.

Gabby is having a mental break down over physics.
I REALLY wish we would have forced her out of that class.

Our apple trees have gone crazy this year.
I completely picked one clean a few weeks ago.
The apples were pretty small.
Our second tree is overwhelming!
I picked for over an hour and just kept taking them to our neighbors.
There are SO MANY!
You should see me up on our ladder trying to get the ones on the tippy top.  Gabby came out to help pick too.  I think we got about half of the tree clean.  Bill is going to have to really trim it back this fall.  It is invading the other tree.  The limbs are so heavy they are touching the ground.  I know I heard them sigh with relief when I started picking!  Mom, Julie and Janeie, let me know if you want some!  There is plenty for making homemade applesauce.  They are pretty good sized!!

Tomorrow is bible study and work.
Volleyball games will follow.
We are amazed by the whole volleyball thing.
The sophomore girls had not won a game until last Thursday.
Saturday Dunlap held a Sophomore tourney.
Abby's team WON the whole thing!
Talk about shocking!!

Bill played the role of mom and dad on Saturday so I could go to see Beth Moore in Chicago with my mom, sister and niece.  It was wonderful and we had a GREAT time!  I love my family :}

Hugs!

Homecoming 2010

Homecoming is early this year.
Because we only have 5 home games.
Our next home game is in 2 weeks.
Against the state champs from last year...
Probably not a good idea to have homecoming the week you know your guys can't win the game.  I'm not trying to be mean....just the facts!
I can't remember the last time Dunlap has beaten Metamora - if ever!

So last night was the big game.....


The band finally put on their full dress uniforms!


The boys were ready to play and won the game 35-14!
They are now 3 - 0

Which brings us to today....
The dance is tonight so they girls spent their day getting gorgeous.
I think they succeeded!!







Love the hair!



Abby's group was BIG!
Don't you LOVE the one shouldered dress?!
It was perfect for her too :}
Her name is Gabby so she is automatically cool!



Abby is actually wearing heals.
I don't expect them to be on when she gets home :}



Gabby's group was MUCH smaller.
Polks dots must be in!
Along with black, white & purple!!



Gabby and Ryan the boyfriend.
She went with him as a freshman too.
Last year he went with someone else - he thought she had another date.
She didn't....



And because this is the most funny picture of the day, Gabby trying to keep from slobbering :}
I snapped just as she dropped her head....
That's my girl!

If I can get the picture of Gabby getter her hair done, I'll post it.
She had to tease it to get it to poof in the back.
It was standing up all by itself :}

They have gone now.
Abby's group headed to a local eatery and Gabby's group went to Sonic because that is where she and Danel wanted to go.  She could NOT wait to get some Sonic.  She is SO weird!!

I have gone to pick up our Subway.
Bill and I are having a quiet night at home.
I need to work on my bible study for the week.

And watch the Tide Roll.....

Hugs!

The Last Saturday

Today marks our last free Saturday.

Until November.

We are officially in full school mode.

Both girls have had homework each night.

Abby is working on some of hers as I type.
She want to work ahead.
Gabby has beating herself up for "not getting" her math.
She figured it out!

Next weekend kicks of high school football season and that, of course, kicks off marching band season.  Gabby will be marching during half time on Friday night and then has a parade on Saturday.  Abby will continue to have volleyball practice into September when they have their first game.  Don't even get me started with their fund raiser for this year!  It has me more than angry!!  Let's just say that I don't mind the kids doing a fundraiser but when the coaches demand a certain amount be sold or they are going to bench the players, then this momma gets angry.  Not only did momma get angry but poppa did too! 

After Abby got out of volleyball (an hour late), she came home and tore up her fundraiser stuff and threw it away.  Guess she was fed up with it too.  Needless to say, I'm pretty sure that the Athletic Director at the high school will be getting more than 1 complaint from parents over this one!!  I know her coach isn't happy about it but he can't do much when the head coaches are pushing so hard.

SORRY!

I wasn't going to get started......

Time for me to enjoy some quiet with my book before bed.

Hugs friends!

Today is the day!

As promised...


Just look at that excitement!

They love the first day of school!

They can't get enough of me taking pictures either!

Yeah!  This is the last one :}

I wished them well and told them to make good choices before they ran for the car to get away from me!

Half day of school so they will be home around noon.
Then off to haircuts.
Abby back to school for volleyball practice at 3 and picked up at 6.
Gabby to work by 4 and off at 7.

Ahhhhhh!
Schedules....
I LOVE THEM!

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year :}

And then there was silence at home......

Tomorrow Tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow.....

The girls start school tomorrow.

It is time!

Pics to follow....

Band camp

Last week Gabby had band camp.
The poor kids just about melted!
Here are some pictures from their last day.
They performed for the parents...

They were happy to be done!
And are thankful that camp wasn't this week :}
Can you say HOT, HUMID & MISERABLE?!

We had a wonderful thunderstorm this morning but it did not make things any cooler.

School starts on August 18th.
The girls are ready.
I am ready.
School supplies have been purchased.

Gabby decided to not play volleyball this year.
She decided she did not need the extra pressure on top of marching band and physics class!
She actually has nothing to do for the next week.
Except help me with whatever I ask of her :}

Abby has volleyball tryouts start tomorrow and go through Friday.
From 8-12 and then 1-3.
It is completely RIDICULOUS!
These kids are in high school.
Sophomores to be exact.
They are not Pro's or in college.
I just pray that the coaches remember that the heat index will be over 100 all week and that they need to rest and hydrate the kids alot with the heat.

Today Gabby and I went to help a friend paint.
She and her husband have been looking for a house for about 4 years.
They were very patient and waited for the house that was perfect for them.
They have lived in an apartment for the last 5 years.
All the waiting paid off!
They have an adorable house with great curb appeal.
Their landlord offered them extra money if they could move out this weekend.
So, instead of taking their time getting the house painted they had to move into high gear.
We got 1 bedroom primed and painted and another bedroom painted in the span of 3 hours.
It is amazing what you can get done with 3 people working on one room!

Abby spent her day at home.
Enjoying her last day of summer vacation because of the afore mentioned vball tryouts starting tomorrow!

Did you hear that?!
It sounds like another thunderstorm is moving through.
That means that I need to get relaxed on the couch with my book :}

Bye!

ps - can anyone tell me what the phrase "this one time at band camp" means?? 

Softball season is over

Is it really Wednesday?
Sheesh...
I gotta get you people caught up!

Monday, I decided that we needed a day for just the girls.
They had chiropractor appointments early and then Gabby had to get a tooth filled.
She dropped Abby off at Walmart to help me finish grocery shopping before heading to the dentist.
We got home, put the groceries away and started cleaning the house.
I wanted to get the upstairs cleaned before we left.
We made a "quick" stop off at the mall to see what they had in the way of homecoming dresses.  They were having a nice sell and we got 3 dress and a pair of shoes for under $100!
Gabby could not decided between 2 so she bought 1 and I bought the other.
She is happy she splurged and spent $20 on a dress :}
After shopping we headed over to my sister's house to go swimming.
Her boys got their suits on and we had a ball!
SO. MUCH. FUN!
Julie and Kate got home and joined us at the pool.
The girls were quickly thinking that a jetski ride was in order so off they went.
They had a great time and Gabby announced that "we need to get a lake!"
I would settle for a pool but we all know that is not going to happen....
Thanks JuJu!!!!

This week our girls finished their softball season.

They qualified to play in the "World Series" and we chose to stay in the area.
10 minutes from home to be exact.
I'm glad we did.
Yesterday we started pool play and won both games.
This morning we lost our first tournament game.
It being double elimination we got to play another game before losing and going home.
I'm not upset about the season being over as this week was in addition to our original schedule.  I'm sure in a few weeks I will be missing the time spent at the ball fields.

Because I am still frustrated with some of the antics the occured this year on the ball field I will end it here and not elaborate.  I will just say that the girls are anxious to see who they will play for next year.  We have at least 2 teams that are interested in both girls.  Gabby has a possibility of playing on an "elite" team and she will be excited if that opportunity becomes available.

School starts in 3 weeks.
We need to fit one more trip to the pool before that time!

Nothin' and stuff

I got nothin'.

Total writers block!

Here's the run down.

We are still playing softball (just be done already!)
Gabby has flag camp this week for band.
Abby mowed the grass and helped me at work.
We are dog sitting Suzie (Gabby's boyfriend's dog).
She is a good dog but we will not be replacing her when she goes home!
Cakes at work are flying out the door - we have taken to putting wings on the cases ;}
We are just about ready to finalize our vacation plans - FINALLY!
We have become addicted to at least one new show.
Covert Affairs on Tuesday nights on USA.
Good show!

Gabby has been having tummy troubles.
I think she has acid reflux but she has some other symptoms that don't match.
She is taking acid relievers and writing a food diary.
I made hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill this week.
After eating a hot dog, she didn't feel well.
The next day for lunch she decided to have another hot dog.
She again didn't feel well.
Does anybody else have this problem?
I didn't feel good the first time I ate that so I'm going to try it again?
Ding bat!
Her doctor will keep checking in on her.

I have been cooking this week.
That is a new development!
We have spent so much time at the softball diamonds that I haven't been cooking very much.  This week I have made up for it and have even made some peanut butter cookies and some apple dump cake.  YUMMO!

Peanut butter cookies recipe:

1 C Peanut butter

1 C Sugar
1 egg

Mix and bake at 350.
I usually bake for about 8 minutes but I like them gooey.
You can add Reese's bits or the tiny Reese's peanut butter cups if you want to.
I usually double the recipe because they are SO good and I eat about half the batter :}

Dump cake recipe:

2 cans your fav fruit pie flavor (I love cherry but Abby wanted apple)

1 stick of butter softened
1 box yellow cake mix

Dump the 2 cans of fruit into a 9 x 13 pan
Mix the butter and cake mix
Dump on top of fruit.
Bake at 350 until the cake on top is slightly browned.
Serve with ice cream or by itself.
All the "dumping" is how it got its name.

Time to get into my pj's and curl up with my blanket and book.

Hugs!

Life can't get any crazier (is that a word?)

Hello all my blogging friends!
Once again life has gotten away from me and I find myself coming and going at the same time.

The girls played softball the last 3 days and finished today with a loss.  They still placed 6th overall in the State tourney (40 teams).  Gabby had some tears as she HATES to lose and gets furious with the girls that have decided that they are "done" playing for the summer.  She hit an in the park homerun this week too.  She doesn't count it as they were playing on a baseball field and the ball just keeps rolling once it hits the outfield.  We, as parents, have every right to count it.....because we said so :}

Abby has hit the 25 hour mark on her driving permit.  Only 25 hours to go :}  She drove us back and forth to Springfield (1 1/2 hrs each way) for the last 3 days.  She now knows how to get to Springfield and could even find the Wal-Mart if she needed to. 

Tomorrow we get to go to church.
We have missed many weeks because of softball and it will feel good to get back into the groove.  There will be complaining at 7am when I get them up but it will be short lived once they roll out of bed.  We go to the 1st service (8:15am) and then to Sunday School so that we can get out of church and still enjoy our Sunday.

After church we need to clean out my car and Gabby's car.
The fields the girls played on were great but every time they had to slide, it was like they were sliding in powder and they would be in a cloud of dirt until it settled.  They were fithly every night and we had them sit on towels in the car but that dirt just finds its way into everything.

While spending many hours in the car together, we had some interesting converstations.
Gabby......."It is hard for you to run if you have no feet."
Yes!  She is a natural blonde!
Bill......."Really, Gabby - that is a shocking discovery!"
Abby........"I have 6 pack abs but they are shy and don't want to show themselves."
Me......."Silver one, black one, blue one (playing the VW game)"
I won the game today but the girls are fierce and will probably beat me tomorrow :}
Bill........."Gabby, you have to keep your feet under a blanket!"

If you have an athlete in the house, (no matter how small!) make sure you get some shoe deodorizer.  It takes very little time for the shoes to become smelly and in turn the feet.  I am telling you, we have to open the sunroof while the a/c is on in the car to keep from getting ill.  It is just TERRIBLE!  Add that to the odor we were all emitting from playing and sitting in 90+ degree weather and you get the idea.

Sadly, it is past 10pm and this girl is tired.

Rest well my friends!

Happy 4th of July!!

We had a busy day that started EARLY!

The girls have a softball tourney every year and it is huge to make it to play on Sunday.  We were excited that yesterday they beat an undefeated team.  Sadly, they lost this morning to end their play for the day.  Although all was not lost as we headed home, got showered and headed to church.  It was an AWESOME day of worship!

After church we headed straight up to MIL's house as we always spend the day with her.  We quickly grabbed lunch and headed to the parade.

Now, this is not just any parade.
In the almost 21 years we have been married we have only missed a handful of parades.

It is a BIG DEAL!
NOBODY misses the parade on purpose (unless you schedule a vacation to Washington DC or Vail CO for that week ;})
Anyway, we settle into our usual spot at Aunt Ellie's and wait for the fun to begin.

The normal floats roll by along with the WW2 vets and flags.
The Club Cadet lawn mower brigade (yes, there were about 30 of them)
The political guys and then.....
the most important of items in a farming community.....
the
TRACTORS

There is tractor after tractor and sadly most of them are John Deere junk (did I just say that?!)
My hubs has worked for Cat for 21 years as did his daddy and my daddy before they retired.  We don't know life without the big yellow giant....

Anyway,
the tractors were a rolling by and suddenly we were shocked by what we saw....

an older man on his tractor.....
smoking a cigarette......
and
(wait for it)




opening a CAN. OF. BEER!




SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!

Shouldn't we think about this???

1.  Can you wait until the parade we over?
2.  Do you not know you are drinking AND driving?
3.  Do you not know you have a open alcohol beverage in your hand while driving!

and let's finish off the parade with three shirtless guys smoking while on the back of a tow truck.

You folks missed one classy parade on this Independence Day!!

I'm thinkin' we need to start planning our next vacation that will just happen to land on July 4th of next year...

Praying you all enjoyed a blessed and happy 4th of July :}

Love and hugs to all!

Summer

Work is done for the week.
It is a short week for me as the girls have ballgames at 11am tomorrow.

We finally have a dryer that works without driving us nuts and I only have to wait one more week before the new part gets put on my washer.  The whole service department at American needs an overhaul!  It took a week for them to call me and tell me that the part was in and then they can't get me on the schedule for service until a week from tomorrow.  Seems like they need to hire more people!  At least I can use the washer....

We have turned off the A/C and opened the windows.
It has been gorgeous here for the last few days.
I am sure we will have to turn it back on soon but we are making the best of it while we can!

Last night we enjoyed an evening at the pool celebrating the nieces birthdays.  What a fun time we had!  Love you Kendra, Alyson & Jenna!!

We are working on planning a beach vacation for us and the girls over Thanksgiving.  We are in a big debate right now over where we will go and are keeping it a secret from the girls.  So, if you could go on a beach vacation, were would you go??

Well, my evening has gotten away from me again and I want to get to my book before bed calls.  I am reading an excellent series from Francine Rivers called Mark of the Lion series.  I am reading the first book called A Voice in the Wind.  It will probably take me another few weeks to finish because I don't have a lot of reading time.  But it is really good!  I have a really awesome reading buddy that turns me on to some really sweet books that I would not read on my own.  Thanks Diana!  So, I am off to Rome for the evening.....

More appliance issues!

My week in a nutshell...

Washer sounds terrible....
New dryer making a thunk thunk thunk sound.

Dryer being replaced with a new one next Thursday.

Part for washer to be here sometime next week.

Bad week to be an appliance at our house!

Still crazy busy at work.
Good news!
Oreo Creme Filling will be a permanent fixture in the flavor line!!!!
Key Lime Crunch, Harvest Peach and Blueberry are in for the summer.

Time for bed....
Stay tuned for more appliance saga!

Hugs!

ps....These girls are my life right now :}
I love them all!!

They won their tourney last weekend!!

Go girls :}

Everything you ever need to know you can learn from your Maytag man...

While doing my last load of laundry on Monday, my dryer started making an awful noise.  So, regardless of what you have seen on tv....I had to call the Maytag man.  I'm not really sure how he finds time to make commercials because he usually spends most of his time at my house.

Anyway, I gave The Man a call and he came by yesterday.
I didn't even have to give him my address.
(Probably because I know the man that owns the appliance center and love him dearly!)
He came by and didn't even have to open up the dryer to know what was wrong.
Doctors could learn so much from this man!
Immediately he knew that the bearings, rollers and belt need to be replaced.
Hummmmmm.

All that just by listening....
He did get around to opening up the dryer and continued to let it run and found that the blower fan was also bad.
His diagnosis was that it was going to cost way more than we would want to spend on an 11 year old dryer.
And he was right.
In his diagnosis, he also let me know that I really should not use liquid detergent or liquid fabric softner as they both contain animal fat that gum up the machines.
Um, ok but I was told to not use softner sheets because they coat the dryer sensor and cause problems.  He quickly had a solution.....use that dryer bar that just came out.  It works great!
OK??

We then got to talking about my other Maytag appliances I was told that having a water softner was terrible for the dishwasher because it causes the racks to rust.
What?!
My mom's dishwasher racks rusted and she doesn't have a water softner.
Maybe it is just because water runs through it all the time and then it is closed up without much ventilation and therefore the inside stays damp causing the rust?

Now lastly, always buy the extended warranty.
OK, Mr. Maytag Man
I did!
Along with a new LG dryer :}
(That matches my 4 year old LG washer that replaced my 6 (yes that is six!) year old Maytag Neptune)

So, there you have it!
If you have any questions, just call The Man and he will answer all your questions ;}

Down to 2

Our house was the hub of craziness over the weekend.
The rain caused our tourney to cancel all games on Saturday.
This meant a crazy schedule for us on Sunday.
So our girls went out and did some shopping with a friend.
We finally called them to come home when the tornado watch signal came on the tv.
Of course, they had to pick up pizzas and pop before coming home so that their friends would have something to eat.
We ended up with a ton of teenagers in our basement.
After pizza I pulled out Edris' birthday cake.
This was the best time for the tornado warnings to sound.
So, we took the cake to the basement and served it down there with strict instructions to eat quickly in case the tornado headed our way.  It is sinful to waste good cake you know!

Sunday we headed out early for ball games.
The afternoon brought my nieces birthday party.
Edris and I went to the party while the girls played another game.
We headed back to the tourney.
Gabby had a banquet to go to that evening for making the All Conference team.
We drug her out of the ball field as she would have rather stayed and played.
Their team was still playing and she wanted to stay.
We got updated via texting :}
They won the next game which put them as the final 2 teams in the tourney.
Unfortunately, they would have had to beat the same team twice as it was a double elimination tourney.  They lost the first game and placed 2nd in the tourney.
Not bad after losing the 1st game of the day!

Edris left for home yesterday.
It seems weird to have her gone.
I am used to walking in the back door and having her sitting in the family room listening to her Ipod and watching tv.  Her room is empty.
A bit of sadness hung around the house for awhile.
Like something was missing.
It will take a few days to get used to having only our girls at home again.
She called this morning to tell us that she made it home.
Poor Rosa is overwhelmed with all the clothes she had packed in those two suitcases!  We both had to sit on the largest suitcase just to get it zipped.

This afternoon Abby and I got to sit and watch a movie together.
Leap Year.
It was pretty good.
Sweet!

Just about time to watch the College Softball World Series!

Hugs,

So Proud!

The girls have been out of school exactly 1 week.
We are still waiting for report cards to be delivered.
We may be waiting awhile!
It seems that the computers are down at the high school and thus they can not print the report cards.  This has caused great stress as Edris was hoping to get hers before she leaves on Monday.  It looks like we will be sending most of her paperwork after she leaves.  I pray this is not a problem later!

Edris has started to pack.
We purchased the space saver bags and they really work!
I checked her progress today and almost everything fits in one suitcase.  I have no idea how much it weighs but I'm just thrilled that everything that she wants to take home will make it without having to send an extra box.  I did not think that was possible!
Rosa, fair warning here!!!
I would stand back when openning the suitcases and then the bags.  I think they will burst open if you are not careful :}

Tonight was awards night at school.
I know that school has been out a week but most of our spring sports go beyond school and their post season play continues until they lose.
Our last game was last Saturday.
We lost....

Anyway, we received a note from the school on Tuesday that Gabby had made the All Conference 1st team.  All the coaches in our conference get together and decide who the best players are in the area.  They chose 1st team, 2nd team and 3rd team.  We did not tell Gabby that she made the All Conference team.  She found out tonight when they called her name - she was the only softball player from her school to make 1st team.  She was so excited and we are SO proud!  She works so hard and her diligence has paid off.  We are going to a banquet in honor of all the 1st team All Conference kids from all sports on Sunday night.  She just started slapping left handed this year and was really discouraged early in the season because she wasn't "getting" it and her batting average was pretty low.  But once she got it she could bunt and slap left handed or hit for power right handed.  She will be working on batting for power left handed this summer.  If she gets that down, she has a good chance at playing in college.

Anyway, we are proud of our girl and pray that she remembers that she plays for an audience of One and that she doesn't have to play to make us happy or proud but that her Father in Heaven is watching all that she does and when she plays for His glory, it pleases Him.

Way to go Gabby girl!!

Another Letter

Dear Department of Motor Vehicles,

I know that you probably have a very long line of people that would like your attention.
So, with that in mind you could have chosen to take your time in issuing the newest drivers permits.  This would not have caused parents any dismay whatsoever.  In fact, we would have happily granted you an extra fee to help pay down the debt that our state is currently in.  We would exchange that fee for at least an extra week of keeping our children off the road.  This would surely ensure the safety of all pedestrians both on and off the street. 

You have no idea the chaos that you have caused in granting these permits.

Church parking lots all over the area are being inundated with first time drivers and parents that are in continual prayer for their lives.  Thus the need to drive in church parking lots!

May I end this letter by saying that in all of my days I have never seen or experienced the speed to which these permits were issued and expect that further permits will be issued in the slow turtle speed to which we are accustomed.  As tax paying citizens, we are simply asking for the same service that you have given in the past.

Sincerely,
A concerned, prayerful and terrified parent

(as you may have guessed, Abby received her permit this week.  we could have gone another year without another driver in the family but as it is we have no choice - 2 hours down 48 to go!)

School, Avatar, Softball and Prayers

We are finally wrapping up the last two weeks of school.
Our girls are anxious to be done.
Finals start a week from Tuesday.
Study packets are coming home and being worked on little by little.

Edris is getting ready to head home.
She leaves on June 7th.
She must keep focused in her studies to end the semester well!
Hard to do when you are thinking of home and saying goodbye to friends here....

Abby is ready to start driving.
Gabby is ready to sleep in!
AAAAHHHHH!
WAIT!
Abby is ready to start driving?!
Do we really have to go through that again?!
At least we kinda know what to expect.

Poor Edris will have to endure yet another new driver!
At least she is a good sport about it :}

I finally watched Avatar last night.
It was ok.
Predictable.
I was unimpressed with the language that was used.
Do they really have to curse in EVERY movie?!
I know everybody is gaga over the "graphics" or whatever you wanna call them, I just didn't think it was that big of a deal but maybe I just wasn't that into the movie.  It wasn't one that I just had to see either.  I had zero interest in it from the beginning of all the excitement. 
You can call me a rebel :}

My Crimson Tide won the SEC softball championship yesterday.
They go on to play regionals and hopefully they will win the college softball world series.
ROLL TIDE!

Would you please pray for our Pastor?
His daddy went to be with Jesus on Friday.
He loved the Lord and showed it everyday.
He had been in poor health but it is always hard to lose a parent!
If you think about it, would you pray for the Boerckel family?
They will greatly miss their husband, dad, uncle, brother and grandpa.
We are so thankful for Pastor Ritch.
Bless him that he preached this morning after losing his hero on Friday.
I don't know many men that could do that!

Our prayers are with you dear ones!

Prom 2010

Tonight was prom....


The girls were SO excited!
The primping started about 9:30 this morning.....


Gabby & Ryan
(if you recall they went to homecoming together her freshman year)


Edris & Chris


My 3 girls


Gabby and her softball scrapes.....so you know she is an athlete at heart!


The whole crew


Just the girls

They had a great time and we are all tired!

We were unable to get pictures outside as it was too cold and windy.  The girls just about froze getting into the cars.  Who would have guessed that last weekend was in the 60's and this weekend would be in the 40's?!  Anyway, we are all just happy that they had a great time AND we won't have to do it again for another year :}

Hugs to all and have a blessed Mother's Day!

I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

Softball pics and Mother's Day

Softball has taken over our lives again.

Here are some pictures to prove it!




The high school varsity team had a tourney this weekend and invited Abby to play with them.  The first picture is Gabby in center field.  Then Abby in left field and the last one is Gabby on 1st and Abby headed back to 2nd.  They did pretty good this weekend.  Won 3 and lost 1 in extra innings. 

This week has been crazy at work.
With Mother's Day on Sunday we have been trying to stock up.  I decorated 32 cakes today with about 10 of them are for special order.  The boss says that we sold about 78 cakes the week leading up to Mother's Day so we must be prepared.  I'm not sure how I will get it all done this week but I am going to try.  Tomorrow I will start making more cakes and do the cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches and fill in what pies need to be done too.  That should make Friday a bit easier but we all know that people tend to wait until the last minute to do anything.  I just hope they don't get mad if we have to tell them that we just can't do it!

Happy Mother's Day ladies!!

Hugs :}

And then there were four

As I type I am awaiting the arrival of our fourth daughter.
Yes, we are adding to our broad!

Our dear friends left today for Russia.
Despite what you are hearing in the news about Russian adoptions, their government has not yet stopped the paperwork and continued process.
They are getting things moving to adopt a little boy.
If you live in my area, you may have seen them on tv this past week.
They were interviewed by one of our local news channels.

Anyway, their third daughter is one of Abby's best friends.
They asked if we would keep her and you know how much trouble I would be in if I told them no!  She stayed after school and watched the dodgeball contest they had going on.  She then had to go home and pick up her stuff before she headed over here.  We are always up until Gabby gets home from work anyway so it is no big deal.  Her older sister is going to help with transportation when we need it.  They are all good girls so I am sure there will be no trouble ;} 

Tomorrow the girls were to play in a softball tourney but it got cancelled because of the rain.  There is another tourney next weekend so they are looking forward to that and we are all happy that tomorrow is actually a free day with nothing else planned.  We are going to keep it that way!  I am looking forward to doing some baking and reading.  Just enjoying doing NOTHING.

Hope that you can say the same :}

Hugs!

Will...

We are loving the gorgeous weather we have been having.
So I have been outside enjoying the beautiful rays.

Softball is taking up much of our time after school and I have been slaving over the grill in the evenings.  Last night was bbq ribs.  They were the first of the season and they were YUMMO!

It is hard to believe that about a month from now the girls will be gearing up for semester finals.  Are they really going to be Sophomores and Juniors in the fall?

Abby will be driving in a few short weeks.
I certainly hope that the guy that was walking his dog while Gabby was driving for the first time last year isn't in the parking lot this year!  How embarrassing would that be?!

Completely off subject....
Will Bones and Booth every get together?
Will Chuck and Sarah get to stay partners?
Will Jack die in the last show of 24?
Does it really matter?!

For some reason, I am completely exhausted today so I am off to grab a nap.

Hugs!

Easter break 2010

Easter break has flown by!

The pictures above are from Easter Sunday.
Our girls were happy to wear dresses this year!
I think they all look very pretty :}

The next picture is of Julie's boys.
The easter egg hunt is always fun!!

The strange young man in the pictures is Gabby's boyfriend.
He was brave and asked to join us for the day.
I think he enjoyed himself :}

I spent my week much like I usually do with tending to the house and working.  Bill took off Good Friday, Monday and last Friday.  The girls would hang out at home or spent time wth friends.  There was shopping done and movies to watch.  Gabby and Abby had 14 softball games between them so all our evenings were spent at the ball field.  Yesterday we watched 4 games.  We are a little crispy today.  Ouch!

Tomorrow we are back to our normal routine.
The girls are back to school, Bill is back to work and I will be cleaning.
It will be good to have everything back in order!

Gabby worked last night and tonight.
She has gotten an eye opener when she filled up the car with gas.
$40 later....she is not very happy!
We are paying close to $3 per gallon for gas and she is discovering that driving has a cost.

I'm gonna try to get a nap in this afternoon.
I know it is beautiful outside but I am so tired and tomorrow will be a busy day.

Hugs!