The countdown

The countdown is on!

Gabby is done with school for the semester.
Abby has 2 days of finals left.
I have to work this week and then I get next week off.
(I am contemplating taking the whole month of January off of work....)

Christmas is one week from today.
The partying for us begins on Saturday with my side of the family coming over.
Sunday is Bill's side.

Yes!
We are crazy and we l.o.v.e. it!

All of my shopping is done and everything is wrapped.
The piles of gifts are divided up into three sections.
My side.
His side.
Our girls.
If I didn't divide them, it would be a big disaster!
I don't need any disasters :}
The dog provides me with plenty of those all by himself.

I need to get my camera snapping this week so I have Christmas pictures from this year. 

Tuesday is Abby's 17th birthday.
I can not believe my baby will be 17!
(Especially since I am only 29! ahem.....)
We are headed to Granite City for dinner.
She already got her birthday present.
She needed a new cell phone so we upgraded her to a smartphone.  I picked her up a few more small things to add to her phone but other than that and a cake, I don't have much to do.  She has 2 finals that day too so she will be excited to done.

Let the countdown begin....

Jeanette

Update

Thank you to those that have been praying for our local community!

The driver has been released from the hospital.
The passenger is in critical condition
(I was told he had also passed away).
The 3 boys that were in the backseat did not have their seatbelts on and were thrown from the vehicle when it was rolling.  Two of them died at the scene and the other at the hospital.

The driver will live with this for the rest of his life.
Please continue to pray for him and the boy that is still in the hospital.
Life will never be the same for either of them.

Hugs,
Jeanette

Heavy Heart

This morning my heart is heavy.
We learned last night that there was a horrible car accident.
It claimed the life of 3 teens.
This morning I heard the death toll is now 4 with the last teen still in very critical condition.
These kids come from a small farming community.
Everyone knows everyone.

Please pray with me for the families of those involved.
Pray for the kids that go to our girls' school.

Many of them knew the kids that died.

I know that God has a purpose.
He is faithful.
But I still wonder....
why?

And then I remember these words,
"sometimes God goes to extreme measures to bring people to Him."
And I get excited to see how He is going to use this situation to bring people to Him.
Maybe He will use me or my kids to help those that are hurting.

You never know...

Jeanette

Monday Monday

Back to the grind stone at our house.
Monday remains my cleaning and laundry day.

I actually started cleaning yesterday and finished today.
The laundry was done early today too.

Two our of three cars had to go in for service.
Mine was due for its yearly service (FREE).
The girls' car has been leaking fluid.
I thought it was coolant but they seemed to think it was washer fluid.
They didn't find a leak anywhere.
That was a good thing but makes me wonder.....
But they are good guys and said to give them a call if we see anymore leaking.

I went grocery shopping today too.
Usually I save that for Tuesday but I had extra time today so I just got it done.

Echo had to be picked up from the kennel so I ran over to the vet to pick him up.  He LOVE LOVE LOVES the kennel and having "sleep overs" with his dog buddies.  We enjoy having him home for the first day after his kenneling.  He is usually exhausted and he always smells good because they give him a bath and trim up his nails.  Worth every penny!!

Pizza for dinner and just settling down to cut coupons and watch The Sing Off (GO Pentatonix!).

Later folks!

Jeanette

AWOL

 I know I have been AWOL.

For

4

months.....

Yes,

that is me!

The one that can't keep up with life let alone a blog!

To say that life has been entirely too crazy these last few months is an understatement of the century. The first day of school has come and gone. Volleyball and marching band are a thing of the past. And Gabby enjoyed her last homecoming weekend.

 1st Day of School



Abby's junior year

Homecoming

Senior night for marching band
The seniors get to dress up for the field show.
They had a GREAT time!

Our most exciting news is that Gabby has been offered a full scholarship to play softball at our local community college.  It is an excellent junior college (Bill and I both graduated from there).  She is excited that she will be able to graduate from college debt free!  She signs her letter of intent on 1/15/12.  Now, we get to start looking at colleges for Abby.....

We spent this weekend in Chicago.
We have not been shopping up there in a while and needed to get up there and just do it.
We left Thursday evening and got back late this afternoon.
We did get some good shopping in and spent some time at the Museum of Science and Industry before coming home.  We all decided that we are not big city people and the crowds were a bit too much for us.  We are all about a good deal but we all get a little jittery in crowded stores :}

Of course, I found my Coach shoes on sale plus got an extra 25% off!
Eddie Bauer had 40% off your entire purchase so Bill and I scored there as well.
We came home with tons of free stuff that came with our purchases on Black Friday.

That pretty much gets you caught up with us :}

I pray that all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

Hugs and love to you all!
Jeanette

Gabby's senior pictures

After weeks of waiting
(to get the rest of her pictures taken)
we finally got her proofs back!
Bob even allowed us a few sneak peak pictures.
We LOVE them!!
Hard to believe she is a senior....

We drove all over that small town but it was worth it.
We some how have to pick just a few.
Can't afford to enlarge them all!
Overall, I think he spent about 8 hours with her.
It is good to have a relative as a professional photographer :}

Enjoy what it left of your weekend!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Shopping & Dryer lint

Tomorrow the girls and I are headed to do some shopping.

There is an outlet mall a few hours away.
Can't wait to hit...
Coach
Dooney & Bourke
Vera Bradley

Ann Taylor

Good thing we are taking the SUV!

Gross!

Echo is eating dryer lint.
How did he figure out how to open the garbage cans?????

Looks like a camera may need to be set up to catch him in action!

Hugs,
Jeanette

What's the Scoop?

The girls' softball season is over.
Their final record 53-3.
Pretty good for a bunch of girls ;}

This week they are helping the middle school girls with tryouts and practices.
They just never get enough!

I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry.
Laundry is always fun after a weekend of softball.
Not only do the girls' uniforms smell bad,
but with this heat,
our clothes smell bad too!

Sunday, we finally got some relief from the heat.
Smack in the middle of a ball game in fact.
The wind hit and cooled down the weather very nicely!
Then the rain behind hit brought temps down into the 70's.
We were actually chilly!

We have dentist and ortho appointments on Wednesday.
Then I need to get into work.
We are planning on hitting the outlet mall on Thursday so I am working between fun this week.  The girls can't wait to hit the Vera Bradley store :}
I can't wait to go to the Ann Taylor store!

This is our only "down" week of the summer.
Next week Gabby has band camp and the following week Abby has volleyball tryouts. 

Then,
school starts.
I am not ready for school to start.
I want to have more fun with my kids!

Gabby has some big decisions to make in the next months.
She has no idea where she wants to go to college.
She has multiple coaches wanting her to play softball for them.
All Division 3.
She would be happy with that.
But can't decide which school she would be the most happy.
She would covet your prayers for wisdom and clarity in direction!

Her senior pictures are done.
8 hours of picture taking = a ton of pictures!
We can't wait to see them :}
I will post some when we get them!

So, what is the scoop with you??
Tell me!
I need to catch up with everyone.....

Hugs,
Jeanette

Champions

This summer is just blowing by!
I can't believe that it is July 4th already.
Happy 4th Everyone :}

Since my last post we have been running to one softball game after the next.
The weekend that Gabby got hurt,
their team won the tourney!



Morton 16U tourney.
First time they have ever won their own tourney.
Please note Gabby's clean uniform.
It will be the last time you see it that clean :}

Since that time,
they have also won the Springfield tourney and Bloomington tourney.

This weekend we played in the State tourney.
They WON!!

They have had a GREAT season.
Their record......
41-0!!

We got to see some exciting softball this weekend.
We had 3 international tie-breaker games in a row and were successful in winning every one PLUS we did not allow the opponent to score in those tie-breakers.

Gabby was a big hitter for them yesterday.
She hit a 2 run homer over the center field fence to put us up by 2.
Grandma and Grandpa were there for almost every game and got to see her hit her homer.  Abby came in to catch the last inning with a new pitcher.  She did great in remembering to stretch the inning out so that time would expire before we had to start a new inning.  She did try for a diving catch but did not catch it - instead she scrapped up her arm and is proud of it :}

I will now have to head into my hair gal and have another color done.
It was just done this week but with all the stress of softball,
I will have to go in again.
I think I aged about 10 years too!!

We are so proud of all the girls.
They played their hearts out and NEVER gave up!
Even when we were going into the bottom of the last inning and were down, they kept playing and hitting the ball.  It was so exciting to watch and see what was going to happen.

The umpires at the games were great and they loved umping our games.
Our girls just went out and played and the umps refused to let the coaches try to over take the game with their whines and complaints.

Here are a few more pics of the girls!

We could not be more proud!!

Hugs all :}
Jeanette

The best time to go to a Prompt Care is.....

Do you know the best time to go to a Prompt Care?
An hour before closing!
Because those folks work REALLY hard to get you in and out so they can get off work!!

I know you are all probably wondering why we were at Prompt Care.

So, here is the full story....

Once upon a time there were two sisters.
They loved each other VERY much!
The both loved softball so they played on the same team.
Because they loved each other VERY much!
The elder sister always got to bat first.
But younger sister didn't mind
because she loved her VERY much!
Elder sister got a very nice triple her first time up.
Younger sister was excited
because she loved her VERY much!
Younger sister was up next.
Elder sister cheered her on,
because she loved her VERY much!
Younger sister was swinging REALLY hard,
so she could be like elder sister
that she loved VERY much!
Younger sister hit the ball REALLY hard,
the ball went foul but not before hitting elder sister in the elbow
as she was ducking to get out of the way.
Younger sister was sad but stayed to help her team win!
Elder sister got to go to Prompt Care to get xrays on her elbow.
Elder sister is happy that nothing is broken
but sad that she doesn't get to play this weekend.
Younger sister is helping to keep the team hot
and win another game tonight.
And they still love each other VERY much!!

Tomorrow starts tourney play.
Wish us luck :}

Hugs,
Jeanette

More Echo Antics

I swear this dog gets more blog time than my kids!

NO!
That is not possible :}

I know some of you will not believe this.
We have had to hire a behavior specialist for him.

We thought we were moving along very nicely with getting him to do what we want.
NOT!

This past weekend, he decided that he and he alone would touch or come near his food bowl or his snack while he was in his kennel.  He growled and showed his teeth to Abby, Bill & myself.

That was the last straw for me.
Either we get help or he goes!
If any of us gets biten, he goes.
I won't live in fear of my dog!!

So, yesterday I called my Vet and asked them for some advice.
They referred me to a behavior specialist.
She was able to come over pretty quick and get going on fixing this big mess we have created for ourselves.  Apparently, we were doing everything wrong!

You would think we knew what we were doing.
We had a dog for over 15 years.

NOPE!
This dog is different and he will push the limits of his leadership as far as we allow him to.  So, as of yesterday, his leadership abilities are no longer needed.  She started with getting him to "sit/wait" and "leave it".  He caught on VERY quickly, especially being able to get treats!  Then she took us outside to see how he did on a leash.  She had him walking along beside her in less than 5 minutes AND told us he did not need the harness. 

We feed him in different rooms of the house each morning and night so that has been an adventure.  So far, that has been the easiest thing to do.  Except this morning.  He went on a hunger strike and spent the morning in his kennel.  About noon Gabby called and said he would not stop throwing up.  Ahhhh!  The reason he would not eat this morning and spent the morning in his kennel - he ate something outside that made him sick. 

He has rebelled a little each day.
Today less than yesterday but there are times when we have to make him sit and we have to make him sit up instead of lay down.  On this we can not wavier!!  He must do as we command in order to get his treat.  He no longer walks down the stairs before us.  He waits until we are outside before coming out the door and he eats after we eat.  All things I would not think make a difference but in his mind it meant that he was the lead dog.

Please pray for us as we go about this new way of life.
I want to be able to enjoy home life again and not be bound by his antics of chewing on people and jumping on them...

Hugs!
Jeanette

One Week

One week ago today.....

My girls finished school for the year!
Excitement was in the air at the thought of sleeping in.

Since that time....

The girls have gotten their finals graded and each had 5 A's and 2 B's for their semester grades.
WHEW!
Their high school ball team won their regional championship game!
Dunlap has not done that since 2002.
They play their first sectional game tomorrow night.
We are hoping that they play hard and do their best against a team we have never seen.

Gabby made the All Conference Softball team for the second year in a row.
She was thrilled and Abby was proud!

Another niece graduated from high school and we partied like it was 1999.
OK, maybe we didn't party that hard but we ate some good food and enjoyed catching up with family :}

We spent Memorial Day with my family at Julie's house.
Great food, pool, boat and jet ski's.
It was the most FUN we have had in a long time!
The weather was glorious and the company wonderful.
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.
AND I got a new pair of sunglasses to boot!
Thanks Kate!!

Today was back to the grind stone.
Tomorrow is a short day at work with the girls' game tomorrow night.
It is 2 hours away and starts at 5.
Makes for a long day and longer night.

That just about gets you up to speed.

Hugs!
Jeanette


Rainy Saturday

I have been a lazy bum today.
I earned it after this week at work.

Yes, we had another crazy come in.
Claiming he ordered a turtle cake.
He had not.
He wanted a cake with all ice cream and no cake.
So....
he will get his ice cream cake (yes, he had to prepay for it!).
But he won't be able to cut it unless he gets out his chain saw!

We had a full weekend planned with softball and graduation.
It started raining last night and has yet to let up so the softball games were cancelled.
Graduation (Gabby's boyfriend is graduating) has been moved inside so we won't be going to that as we don't have tickets.  Gabby will go but we will just go out to dinner with them afterwards.

That means our Sunday has openned up and I will get a jump start on cleaning.  It always helps on Mondays to get some of it done on Sunday.  And I did not clean last week so it really needs it this week.

In softball news....
Dunlap beat East Peoria.
They handed them their 3rd loss of the season with a score of 11-3.
It was sweet to see as they lost to them last week 2-1.
We have 1 week left of regular season play before regionals start.
Gabby went 3 for 4 and threw a ball in from center field to Abby (catcher) so that Abby could tag out the girl trying to score.  It was sweet!
One of the parents from EP said to tell Gabby "he still has goosebumps from that throw!"
She just beamed when we relayed that message.
Abby has been hitting the ball hard but has been hitting it right at people.  She is working hard behind the plate as our other catcher is out for the season.
They are both looking forward to summer ball!

Time to rustle something up for dinner.

Hugs,
Jeanette


People are crazy

People have been crazy this past week.
We get calls like:

"We need a large rectangle (1/2 sheet cake) in 1 hour.  Can you do it?"

When we tell them NO they get all upset and mouthy.

People really expect you to drop everything to service them.
Why should we?
Others plan ahead and know what they need and when they need it.
Why do others think we should bow down to them and do as they demand?

I have worked with customers for many years but I have to say I have NEVER had this much trouble with them.  The last time I had a face to face issue with a customer I asked her one question.

"Does your daughter's birthdate change every year like Thanksgiving and Easter?"
She looked at me like I was stupid (which I fully expected as I believe she was a few fries short of a happy meal!) and said
"No, it is always on the same date!"
My reply:
"Then why can't you remember to order her birthday cake?"
That shut her up real quick and she decided to just get a cake out of our display case.
There was no apology for treating us poorly.
Just a "I'll just take this one if you won't make me what I want!"
And out the door she went.
Still making us feel like her error was our fault.

OK, stepping off my soapbox now....

I feel much better getting that off my chest!
Headed upstairs to wash my face and put on my pj's.

Hugs,

Jeanette

Saturdays

Today was the first day in a long time that I would get to sleep in.
Except that Bill decided that his car needed to go in for a wax and detail.
Meaning I had to get up at 7:30 to pick him up.
SADNESS!

I did not sleep well last night so I am sluggish this morning.
I need to get on the treadmill and get in a work out but I don't want to.
I would really rather curl up on the couch and watch a movie.

Work was INSANE yesterday.
The calls for cakes did not stop all day.
I know that next week will be a crazy catch up week even after all the cakes that I made this week.  I know that I have at least 13 to do to start my week!

In a few short weeks, Gabby will be a senior.
It is hard to believe she will be starting her last year of high school.
Where did the time go?
We have her senior picture photo shoot already scheduled.
Bill's cousin is a photographer and does a great job -

plus we get a sweet discout!
She is excited.

Today we are headed to our Tommy Tune Up.
Our girls are going to see their batting coach.
He used to be a major league player.
His sister was their summer coach a few years ago and as a team they would go to see him to get their batting averages up.  He is wonderful with the girls and they respond to him.  They have been doing great in school ball but when they ask to go see him, we get them over there.  Sometimes, they just need to know that they are doing everything right at the plate.  We can tell them over and over but unless Tommy tells them, they don't believe us.  We LOVE Tommy!

Time to get moving.
Have a GREAT Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Echoisms

During the course of any given day,
you may hear one or more of these statements.

Echo.....

stop eating the toilet paper
those underwear are not yours
stop barking at the leaves
just let me sleep for 10 more minutes
where is your dad?
Hey, Pyscho!
Stop eating my mints
Why are you licking my socks?!
um, are you eating my Vicks Kleenex?
give me my contact case
get your nose off my keyboard
that is my blanket!

As you can see,
he keeps us on our toes!
Abby has taken to putting his bone into his harness strap to keep him entertained.
It is pretty funny to watch him trying to get it off his back :}
I know it sounds evil but you do what you have to do.

Tonight I threw him a couple of mints still in the wrapper.
It took him about 10 minutes to get the wrapper open.
That means that I got 10 minutes of quiet :}

Do I regret getting a dog?
YES!
He does things our first dog never did!
Which is why his nickname is PYSCHO!!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Ice cream, softball and writers block

Insanity has set in at our house.

Tonight is our first night at home all week.

Softball games have become all encompassing.

The girls are down to their last few weeks of school.

They are anxious to get out and enjoy some beautiful weather should we ever get some!

Work has been crazy this week with Mothers day coming up.

I am waiting for the craziness to start up on Friday when everybody decides they need a cake for Sunday! There will be no emergencies on my part.

Plan ahead or you are stuck!

We lost one of our softball girls last week.
We slid wrong and tore her ACL.
She is to have surgery the end of the month.
She will never be able to catch again.
She is taking it very well and really encouraging the team from the bench.

I have never seen a player get badly injured during a softball game until this weekend.  Our pitcher is also a pretty good hitter.  She nailed a line drive straight at the 3rd baseman.  She had no time to get her glove up and took a ball to the face.  She dropped immediately and did not move for a good 10 seconds.  Many of us thought she was dead.  She broke 4 bones in her face and will have surgery this week (if she has not had it yet).  Please pray for this girl.  I don't know her name but she is a senior and obviously will not finish the season.  Our pitcher was a mess and had to REALLY pull herself together to get back on the mound and pitch.  I know that most of you don't have softball players at your house but if you do and they play infield, seriously consider a mask!  I never really thought it was necessary until I saw what can happen if you take one to the face.  One inch higher and she would be dead.  I don't mean to be morbid but it could mean life or death for a player!  I have never been happier that I have a center fielder and catcher!!

I am sorry that I have been writting lately.
I have had writers block.
I feel like I have written it all before and it is all just a re-run.
Life just seems a little boring even with all the running that I do.
It is just the same old same old stuff.

I am determined to get back at it and try to write about stuff the girls (or the dog) have said or done.

Hugs all!
Jeanette

Prom 2011

It is hard to believe that prom has come and gone.
It was a fun and exciting day!
It started with a softball game that our girls won.
Happily, 4 of the 7 runs came from my girls!
Immediately after the game, we headed home to start the primping.
I think it paid off!

My girls!
Aren't they GORGEOUS!

The girls waiting for everyone else to get here....

Gabby striking a pose

Abby waiting her turn to tackle the stairs

The girls,
Danel, Abby, Gabi, Audrey, Dana, Gabby & Taylor

The whole group,
Danel & Shane, Abby & Zac, Gabi, Audrey, Dana, Ryan & Gabby, David & Taylor

The girls enjoyed going together!

Ryan & Gabs

Zac & Abby
They went as friends.
They both wanted to go and just have fun - no strings attached and no drama!

The 3 muskateers

Abby & the other Gabi

The guys acting all cool
Shane, Zac, Ryan & David

Off they go to have a grand time!

It is late and the kids are still out.
Ryan's parents hosted a dessert time after prom.
I know they will be home shortly and they will have sweet dreams of their fun time.

My girls looked beautiful and I have to confess that I got teary eyed.
My girls are getting older every day and in a blink they will be off to college.
I REALLY need to stop blinking!!

Sweet dreams all,


Jeanette

A little of this and a little of that

The countdown is on.

Next week is prom.

We are ready and the girls are excited.

Of course, we have been busy playing softball.
Today the girls had a double header against IVC.
It was a balmy 55 degrees and windy.
Much better than 38 degrees :}
Gabby hit a game winning triple in the first game to win 2-1.
And Abby had 2 great throw downs to second.
They happily gave them their first loss of the season.
The second game looked like it was going to be a blow out until our girls decided they wanted to hit the ball.  They lost the second game 8-9 but it was still a good game.
Their record is 4-2 right now.
Next week they start conference play and are predicted to finish 6 out of 7 in their conference.
The girls were VERY unhappy with that predicition.
Now, let's see if they do anything about it!

Work has been crazy busy.
Coldstone just started online cake ordering.
I predict it will be a huge problem but I hope I am wrong!
So far, it has kept me busy and added 3 more cakes to our sales this week.
Looks like I will be adding my Fridays back into my work week before too long.
I have put it off as long as possible.
Maybe next week I will get it off......

I have started my spring cleaning.
I got the upstairs cleaned this past week.
I was hoping to get started on the kitchen today but I am exhausted.
I could fall sleep right here!

Abby started working at Coldstone last weekend.
Today is her third day on the job and was looking good when we checked in on her an hour ago.  Gabby will join her for the 7-close shift and tomorrow they both work 3-close.

For those that are wondering.
NO!
We are not getting another car.
They will share or have nothing to drive.
They don't seem to have a problem with it.
(I am shocked at the number of parents that think it is wrong from them to share!)
Gabby loves sharing the gas $$ with Abby as they will each pay half when they need to fill up.  There is one rule.  Whoever is working gets the car.  I think they will work together a lot so it should not be a problem.  They both go to school at the same time, get out at the same time, have ball practice at the same time and have ball games at the same time.  Summer ball will be the same way.

I think I will take the rest of the day and enjoy reading for awhile.
You all enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,
Jeanette

So excited!

Last night the girls had their first softball game of the season!
Just look at their excitement!

Abby got to catch the whole game.

Gabby played centerfield!

Gabby is the lead off batter....
(Sorry about the "crack" in this picture but imagine our horror at seeing this in real life!)

Abby at bat.....
(Look, no "crack"!)

The Eagles pulled out the win in 5 innings.
The final score 30-0.
Can I just say that they did not try to run up the score!
Easy pop flys to the outfield were not caught, bloppers to 1st base were bobbled or overtossed to 1st base.  There were 2 errors in the first inning alone.  Our girls started leaving the base early and striking out to get the game over.  I think they actually helped the other teams pitcher more than her own team did!
I felt bad for them but I guess they were pretty mouthy so Gabby wasn't feeling sorry one bit.

I think they considered it more as pitching practice than they did a softball game.
Gabby & Abby played VERY well.
I know Abby had at least 5 rbi's all by herself.

We all got to thaw out when we got home.
The temp last night was 35 degrees!
BBBBBRRRRR!

We are so excited about softball season that we get to sit outside in the freezing temps again tonight against Bureau County.  They are a bit tougher than Delavan.

Have a GREAT Friday friends!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Today is my birthday! Happy Birthday to Me!

That is right!
Happy Birthday to ME :}

It has been a fairly quiet day
starting with me getting to sleep in.

Followed by lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse.

Afterwards we headed back home to have some carrot cake.

Gabby had another prom dress fitting.
And she will hopefully actually get to bring it home on Friday.
They had to take it in a little more on the side.
Wish I had that problem!

We dropped Gabby off at work and
headed to Julie's so she could look at Abby's prom dress.
It needs to be taken in too!

After Julies we headed home and have been chilling here since.

I will head back over and pick up Gabby when she is done with work.
Their car goes in for repairs on Monday.
The "service engine soon" light came on and it died on her last week so we have had it parked in the garage until Bill can take it in on Monday.  Could be spark plugs, fuel pump or the catalitic converter.  Then again, it could be something totally different!  All I can say is that we REALLY miss that extra car :}

It has been a lovely day and I am happy!

Good night all,

Jeanette

Let the softball season begin!

Softball tryouts are over
and we have TWO varsity players in our house this year!

Abby made the varsity team as a sophomore.
She is excited as is Gabby.
Now they can drive together to get to practice.

Abby got her drivers license last week (finally done carrying around her book to record her 50 hours she had to have!) and they have been tag teaming the car (because we refuse to buy a 4th car until we absolutely have to!)  Aren't we just terrible parents?!  We figured if we were going to have to take out a 2nd mortgage to cover yet another teenager on the car insurance, we were going to take the "cheap" way out!  For those of you without a child near driving age, count on at least $100 per month per child for car insurance.  EEEEEKKKKKK!  AND our insurance company won't allow two teenagers to be the primary drivers on the same car - which would be the cheapest vehicle. 

Anyway, I have a marathon day with....

Laundry
Dishes
Nails
Hair
Work
Dinner with my Mops girls
Make a lasagna for our "bake off" at Mops tomorrow.

I may make it to bed before midnight :}

Hugs!
Jeanette

Prom dresses and puppies

I am having mixed emotions about blogging.
I seem to be stuck.
It is not that I don't have anything to say.
But it seems that it is the same thing over and over and over....

I just can't get in the groove and get it together.
Does anyone else have this problem??

I have cooked 2 nights in a row.
That's new.

We got Gabby's prom dress fitting done on Saturday.
Here are a few pics:
If you are local, please don't share them with anybody!



No idea what her arms are doing!
She had to have it hemmed and taken in a bit on the sides.
I could have bought another dress for what that cost!
Glad prom season only comes around once a year.

Abby's dress picture won't load so here is the link for her dress.  Stupid blogger!

http://www.debshops.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10979460&cp=10992367.3369418

I really do love my Abby!  I just don't have the patience for it tonight!!

They already had shoes so we just picked up some jewelry at Charming Charlies.  They pay for their own hair to get done and neither of them are tanning so all we have left to do is play a ball game that morning and get showered before they head to get their hair done. 

I haven't updated on Echo lately so here is what he is up to.....

He still hates the vacuum and decided to continually unplug it today while I was trying to vacuum.  I refuse to stop him as someday he may "accidently" bite too hard on the cord and get a little shock.  ;}

He has taken to chewing up his bedding so now all he has left is a pillow.  If he chews that up he is out of luck! 

Every morning he steals something new to try to chew up.
Last week he chewed up a pair of my reading glasses.
Yesterday he stole my bookmark from one of my books.
Today a play-doh turtle that Gabby had in her room.
He continually tries to eat socks but hasn't found any to steal this week.

He does have his sweet moments but they are far and few between.
My favorite times are when it is just the two of us at home.
He is mellow and relaxed.
At night he curls up in my curtains and falls asleep until I go up to bed. 
Abby is still his absolute favorite.
I think it is because she lets him sit on her lap.
NO!
He is NOT a lap dog but she hauls him up there anyway.
It is quite a sight!

The girls finished softball tryouts tonight.
There is no doubt that they will both make it but they are still nervous.
Silly girls!
They just want to play ball :}

Time to wash my face and get into my pjs.

Hugs all!

Jeanette

Let's catch up!

Work on "to do" list
Bible study

Work
Work
Work

Run Abby to volleyball practice X 2
Paint girls bathroom
Put girls bathroom back together
Paint master bathroom

Put master bathroom back together
Shop for prom dress (with success!)
Sit at a volleyball tourney all day

There, now you are all caught up with what I have been doing!
My home improvement projects are now at a stand still.
Because I am exhausted and tired of painting,
until I get another whim!
I still need to replace 2 light fixtures
but that may wait until the fall.
Unless I find one I really like!

Abby's club volleyball team won their tournament today.
It was a real shocker on our part!
They played and won 5 sets and only 2 of them went to 3 games.
It was nice to see them work so hard and have fun.
They earned a free t-shirt for all their hard work :}
What can I say, it is an in-house team.

Time to take the garbage out
because when the garbage people say
they start pick up at 6am they are not joking!

Hugs all!
Jeanette

Blizzards & Bathrooms

So, yesterday was the start of the big Blizzard.
In preparation, all the schools in the area were out.
Bill thought it was ridiculous.
I didn't care!

It all started right on time - Noon!


This was about 2pm.
It just looked like snow flurries but the wind was wicked!
 

You can kind of see it in this picture of our neighbors evergreen.

This is what we woke up to this morning!
The backyard looks like a desert but with snow instead of sand.
The large drift that you see, Echo wouldn't go past. 
I guess he thought it was a wall!

He loves the snow and usually dives in head first!
So, with all the snow and no snow plows in sight, we have no option but to stay home because we can't get out of our driveway!  We have watched car after car get stuck and turn around to go home.
I believe the weather man said we got 15 inches of snow.
I don't remember ever getting that much snow.
And tonight we hit the subzero temps!

So with all the snow, I had time to work on our bathrooms.
I got the half bath done today.
I think it turned out great but I have to say that if I ever meet up with the guys that did our electrical, I am going to beat them!  That sweet little light has no less that 6 holes behind it and I did NOT put them there!!  I don't know what they were digging for but my wall looks like swiss cheese.  GGGGRRRRRR!!!

I love the new countertops (which spurred on the redo)!

The color on the walls is called "Filtered Shade" and it is a pretty grey color but it has a hint of blue - just what I was looking for!

I was completely done with painting by noon but that blasted light took me 4 hours to get up.

Yesterday I got all the faucets installed and 2 of the 4 sinks working.
The master bathroom is causing all kinds of trouble!
Bill's side is off less than 1/4" but it won't line up and I broke a part trying to get it to work.  My side is completely off - the new sink is not in the same place as my last one.  I will have to redo all the plumbing on my side.  Not sure I know exactly what to do there but I am headed off the Menards tomorrow (if our road ever gets plowed!) and hopefully they can help me get everything I need.

The girls are out of school again tomorrow.
I think most schools will be closed.
Hard to have school when the teachers can't get out :}
I don't remember ever having 3 snow days in a row!
The girls are loving it!

Stay warm friends,
Jeanette

Not sleeping tonight!

It is 3am.
The blizzard winds are keeping me from sleeping.
I am amazed at the amount of snow and wind that we are getting.

It is true that you can have thunder and lightning during a snow storm.
It was amazing and terrifying at the same time!

I am praying that we keep power as many are in the dark and with these winds, it will be hard to keep warm.  I am thankful!

I think every school in the area was out yesterday and they will be today as well.  I am not sure we will dig out until sometime on Thursday.  We don't live on a snow route so we are one of the last to get plowed.  With the wind blowing so much they have enough problems just keeping the major roads open - they are losing that battle tonight.

I will get some pictures of the chaos when the sun comes up.
Echo is loving it, by the way.
He just goes out and runs around in it before bringing half of it back in the house with him!  He was trying to eat the snowflakes last night :}

Time for me to try to go back to sleep.
Rest well friends!

Hugs,
Jeanette


More Sickness and Sisters

This week Gabby and I are fighting a cold/sinus thing.
Not sure what is going on.
But, we are currently on 3 over the counter drugs that help us to function!

Motrin
Mucinex DM

12 hr decongestant

Thank you drug companies!!

The girls had batting practice (inside) in my sister's town so
I had the privilege of waking up my sister today.

That hasn't happened in over 25 years!
Her hubs gave me permission to get her up so I did :}
We had a nice little chat in her bed then I had to run.
I love my sisters!!
I know we had our issues when we were little but I just can't spend enough time with them now.
And Mom, if you are wondering about something that happened when we were little, it wasn't me!  It was NEVER me!  It was ALWAYS one of them ;}
ahem...

Ok, time for some more medicine!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Psycho aka Echo

Just to get all of you up-to-date on the trouble that Psycho has gotten into...

(because I know you all want to know how he is doing!)

So far he has stolen my razor out of our shower and chewed the 4 blade razor off. The handle was found sticking out of his mouth like a cigar and we later found the razor part on the ground - very chewed on!  My thoughts if the razor part had not been found "Dude, that is REALLY going to hurt coming out!"

He ate one the the girls' headbands (that was later "found"!)

He is terrified of the vacuum (and proves his fierceness by barking at it while he is in another room!) and tried to eat the cord while I was plugging it in!  Which in turn got him interested in the outlet. He proceeded to lick the outlet. I let him lick away!

He is currently tearing the cover off an old softball. NOT joking!!

We have been rudely awaken (4am) to him puking up the landscaping that he is slowly eating when he goes outside to do his duty. I have never been so thankful to have a carpet cleaner!!

He growls at the air duct in the hallway because apparently he was napping and the heat turned on which, of course, was in his territory so he put it in its place!

He takes care of all run away leaves in the yard by promptly eating them to save our lives from those terrifying things!

Every once in a while he notices another "dog" staring back at him in the sliding glass doors - this immediately gets the hair on his neck to stand on end and he goes into a frenzy of growling and pacing.

I finally have him coming when I yell for him to come.  And this week we are working on the "lay" command.  He does pretty good on the "sit" command and does OK with the "stay" command.  Next week will be the "no jumping" command.  He goes into his kennel when I tell him to because he know he will always get a treat. 

Now, how do I train the rest of them in the house to obey immediately?!

Hugs!

Jeanette

Grab some chocolate!

Grab yourself a Diet Dr. Pepper or Sweet Tea and some chocolate.

We have some catching up to do!!!

It has been a rough week!

The girls had Monday off of school for Martin Luther King Day.
I know!
Most of you probably don't get that day off school.
We do.
Because we live in Illinois.
Yeah,

we are special like that!

That meant the girls had dentist and ortho appointments.
So, we asked Grandma to have lunch with us!
We had a GREAT time :}

That also meant that I did not spend the day cleaning like I normally do.
Can you say heaven??
It was nice to spend the day with my girls and just enjoy them!

Tuesday I got to enjoy getting back to bible study.
I love doing Precept Upon Precept with Kay Arthur.
She is one very special lady!

After study I headed over to work quickly as Gabby had another doctors appointment at 3:30.  By the time the appointment came around, I was feeling rather sick.  Just off and on so I went through the appointment that thankfully did not last long!  As soon as I got home, it all began.

Can I say it was just awful!
I thought for sure I was dying ;}
That kind of sick should not happen to ANYONE!!
That meant cancelling everything for Wednesday including work.

Wednesday, I spent the day resting and trying to sleep and eat.
I have never had every bone and muscle in my body hurt like that before.  From the roots of my hair to my toes, everything hurt.  Bless Abby for taking care of me before she left for school.  She gave me a bag of fruit loops cereal, ice water and 2 Tylenol!  I was thankful for all of it and was happy to keep it all down!  Psycho (my nickname of Echo) was great all day.  (Can you imagine how hard it was to hurdle him on my runs to the bathroom?! AND sometimes he would chase me down the hall!)  My mom always gave use sugar toast and 7Up when we were sick but I was out of butter for my toast and no 7Up in the house :{

Thursday rolled around and I had a nail appointment but cancelled my hair appointment as I knew I would not have the energy to get my hair done AND go to work.  I was right!  I ran through my work as quickly as I could with 2 very understanding co-workers that helped where they could.  I headed home to spend the rest of my night resting. 

Friday was my Mops day (I am a mentor for Mops if you know what that is).  I was also set to talk about cooking and couponing with one of the other mentors.  The talk went well and I headed to Menard's to pick up a new garbage disposal.  Mine died just before Christmas and I had been putting off picking one up because I had no time to install it.  Friday afternoon was the perfect time to do it!  I got the old one out and the new one in within an hour.  It was pretty easy with just a few quick helps from the "Directions".  Everything was leak free and electrically sound the first time around.  You should heard it hum!!  Like having a long lost friend return :}

Today was spent at Abby's volleyball tourney as she is doing club volleyball again this year.  Gabby is working today so it is just the three of us tonight.  Can I say how much I hate basketball?!

Last weekend the girls went to a youth group retreat with their church group so it was just Bill and me.  In an attempt to spur on the economy in our area, we went shopping for new vanity tops for our bathrooms.  We have been wanting to replace them since we put granite in the kitchen but with no pay raise or bonus last year that was not happening.  This year we are set to get both so we picked up where we left off and got everything ordered.  We now wait for the installers to come and install them.  I am hoping for next week sometime but am not holding my breath.  We picked up new faucets too and I am looking for new lighting.  Bill is questioning the need for new lighting but is letting me do what I want (bless him!).  I am also planning on painting but haven't had time to look at colors yet.  I am looking for a warm gray or taupe - something neutral as I will probably repaint the foyer and hallway with the same color this summer.  Once the bathrooms are done we only have our bedroom ceiling fan and the foyer lighting to replace.  Gotta get that brass out of the house :}

I think I have taken up enough of your time!
Now you know how I have been spending me :}

Hugs!

Jeanette

Because I have been a slacker!

I finally got my pictures off the camera!

Look how excited Gabby is about it!

Abby is thrilled with her shirt!

Here is about the only clear picture of our newest addition.

Echo....

I have decided we should have named him Dyson or Hoover.

He eats everything you drop.

Kleenex (used or not!)

EEEEEWWWWWW!

Gabby is excited just to get her picture taken :}

Abby is thrilled with her warm fuzzy socks!

Ok, you get one token picture of me and it is not a very good one!

We have a busy weekend ahead but I have enjoyed my day immensely.

It was wonderful to see my Mops girls this morning and we all got to wear our pj's!  It was Spa Day so I was happy to give manicures and eat yummy food and chat with my girls.  It was too long since the last time we met.....

We are working with Echo to learn his manners.

No jumping

No running through the door before us

No farting

You know....

all the important ones!

The kids will be walking in the door any minute.

I gotta run.

Hugs,

Jeanette