Christmas photo fun

I had fun this weekend with the boys.

SENIOR YEAR

OUR FIRST MEET TONIGHT FOR J HIGH...A WIN WITH A PIN. HOWEVER, ONLY ONE MATCH FOR HIM TONIGHT IN HIS WEIGHT CLASS.

HAVE HEADACHE...NIGHT ALL. PEACE

Happy Thanksgiving (belated)

We had a great day HERE at home with my 5 and Steve's dad. It was nice and a big change for us. I wish I had gotten my camera out to catch my helper in the kitchen......Jakob Tyler. He helped me cook the entire dinner....he did great. Of course, I also had the other two helping here and there too but Jake stuck with it the whole day! (I think he secretly likes to cook, bake but no sure he will admit it. lol)

Yesterday I was off work and I did almost NOTHING! I stayed off my ankle and watched movies....cleaned out many little 'stuff it' spots in my room.....it is amazing how nice it looks today. and my ankle feels better today and not as swollen.

Today I am planning to work with my men in getting some Christmas decorations up (maybe even the tree) as wrestling seasin has started which means life will now be on hold. I am also going to try hard to get the pic of my guys and my little lady for our Christmas cards....I have an idea in my head and I really want to make it work!! We will see and I will post the pics here.....or at least all the silly ones it takes to get that ONE good one. (actually I may surprise them and print the silliest one this year!!)

Tomorrow plans include baby back ribs......that's all I have listed so far!! :-) Ok, maybe some Christmas list making!! I have my cards all made and ready to start shipping!!

*Mom- we will all be together for our Christmas on Sunday, Dec 13th! Have that phone on....and could you send me the # to Noel's - could not find it and wasn't able to reach you on Thanksgiving on your phone. :-( Miss you. XO

hunting vs crafting

Woo hoo. All 4 guys are hunting tonight. I am home alone again. Last night I produced my Thanksgiving cards!! :-) Finally a clear mind (kind of) to let those creative thoughts make way!

Now today.....running and running. made dinner for the hunters. Ran into work to write down my schedule (psst. I work tomorrow and FRIDAY!) Tomorrow from 9a-230p. Then FRIDAY (day after Thanksgiving shoppers!!) 530p-10p. It isn't too bad. I like the customer service part. I love hearing about people's crafty ideas. But oh my aching feet after 15 hours! I worked from 7am - 5pm for the hospital then worked from 530-1045p at Michaels. My tootsies were killing me!! Dug out my tennis shoes and planning to scrub them up to wear tomorrow. I actually like next week's schedule better.....I work tomorrow at ONLY Michaels then Friday I work ONLY at Michaels and it will be a late night but no work on Saturday morning!!

Hopping into the kitchen to make some 'no bake' cookies for lunches. Doing some wash. Cleaning the bathroom and then making some crafy things. I want more decorations for my new office. I need one more black frame for my desk....Mom, remember the one I got at Hobby Lobby? Love it. I have my own office now at Homecare/Hospice and it needs some decor.

Started thinking about Christmas gifting.......HELP! I have three nieces that my boys swap with and a crazy sister in law that gave us a 'theme' this year of .....LIQUID! My boys have to give gifts to the girls that are 'liquid'. Thinking perfume....nail polish....polish remover....??? Any ideas?

Oh by the way.....ZERO deer!! Buckless hunters are just having fun in the woods I think? :-)

Mesenteric Lymphadenitis

Steve does not have kidney stones...he has the above. Huh what? It is an infection in the abdominal lymph nodes. Not all that uncommon in teen boys. (it even says that on the internet) However, I had not ever heard of it, have you?
Leave it to my boys to teach me something new. Steven had a trip to the ER last week and they debated between his appendix and kidney stones.....and when we left they called in kidney stones. The pain came back was horrible again with a fever....took him to our doc today and he sent us for a STAT CT Scan. I was with Steve at the hospital from 1030am to 2pm......the dr called in to give us the results....and he rattled off that big old name above.....then broke it down for me.
On antibiotics now and back to the dr on Wed!

I am off to a wrestling meeting at J High.......Ta da......and tomorrow BOTH jobs!!

deer camp

My guys have gone to deer camp tonight.... I went out for a little bit. They have quite the little set up....it is very cool. I love that 2 nieces are giving the men a run for the BIG buck, Jordyn and Kaitlyn. They had me out for dinner...and to pick Jake up for a birthday party.

They have a great little set up and what a meal plan....they grilled burgers for dinner, they are making cinnamon apples on the fire and marshmallows. They were all having loads of fun.

Tonight is fun tomorrow is serious battles for the BIG buck. :-)

Back to m

What a week

Steve II - kidney stones. 4 hours in the ER on Thursday night. IVs, drugs for pain, blood work, urnine sample, etc Yesterday started a little rough but as the day moved on so did that stone! And I had my normal kid back last night....causing havoc with his brothers and stirring up trouble.

Dad- took him to the U of M appt yesterday. Love that doctor. She is the clinical instructor as well as a dr at the clinic...she is so smart and boy she looks the part too. They have ruled out neuropathy as his diagnosis....found some protein in his blood work. Therefore 19 more vials were taken yesterday and we need to see a hemotolgist in Muskegon as soon as possible. The type of protein found can be a link to bone marrow cancer and it fits many more of his symptoms. (made him a little more nervous, of course, to hear that 'C' word again!! ) He is scheduled for a spinal tap and 3 CT scans in a couple weeks at the U of M. This dr is on a mission to figure out 'what is going on'...FINALLY! :-) You can just see it in her....she is a 'prove it to me kind of gal' ....my kind of girl....love it.

Koda - senior pics are back...loving them!! He is busy at school and hunting. I think he still lives here? Not liking that he is so independent now days. Where did the days go? and he is full wrestling mode....season starts Monday and he is pumped!

Jake - not wrestling. Planning to just do the weight lifting program that starts after Thanksgiving break through the winter then on to baseball and back to football. However, he is still being challenged and prodded to wrestle...so we will see?

Me- who am I? the crazy lady that is on the go trying to keep her days straight? Oh yeah, that IS me. Life is good. Busy is good. Started my new job at Michaels...fun but seems as though they are having issues with scheduling me? ha ha I told them I could NOT work on Wed and Thurs....called on Wed to get my schedule for this coming week....she said quite cheerfully we have you on Wed and Thurs from 530 to close. HUH? Believe me, I know scheduling is a challenge and can be trying, as I schedule 35 nurses, HHA, therapists but it was on paper and in the computer - we checked the week before? lol Oh well. I am working Thursday THIS time but cannot on Wed as that is a big meeting about the TX hold em tournament fundraiser we are hosting and working at!!
Life is good. It's all good. lol

Steve Sr- hmm? thinking he is the man that comes around here sometimes? Hunting, working, hunting, working, and sometimes he stops in for a meal with us.

They are all going hunting tonight....setting up a little 'deer camp' so they can spend the night out there together and such. I am not complaining.....house to myself with just my little girl, Riley! (however, I am working noon-4p in intake (normal office job) today....so I may not see them before they go?)

Have a great weekend

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful Mother! I am the luckiest daughter around.

My mother has always been a wonderful role model, compassionate, creative, social, polite, understanding, accepting, oh my list could go on and on. She is IT....my mom, my friend, the best Grandma ever.................

I love you Mom. Hope you are enjoying your fun in TX- we miss you! XOXO

*Today is is supposed to be 69 degrees here! :-)

the chef is in!!

The chef is in da house!
I have spent the whole weekend wither buying food or preparing food.....here's a list of what I have made so far.....
Yesterday
white choc macadamia nut cookies- the kind from the fundraisers
Choc chip cookies - break n bake
PB & J cookies - homemade and a HIT
individal pizzas for dinner....including a Buffalo Chicken pizza that they all loved

Today
choc chip pancakes/ pumpkin pancakes - for the boys
Bagel/egg/bacon sandwiches for Steve and I
Ham spread for sandwiches - thanks Mom for the hand grinder - we LOVE IT and the boys had fun cranking
Homemade Bean Soup - smells so good simmering
Pumpkin Crunch Chex Mix for lunches and afterschool snack

and I am heading back to the kitchen to work on next week meal preparations....burger time! Fry some and season some, patty some and ????
I am trying to make the actual cooking on the weekdays simple as our schedules are growing more complicated. I am working at Michaels right after my FT job tomorrow and Friday....so I will home close to 10pm. PLUS it is hunting season! I really do want them to be able to go and enjoy the season they love. It is tough to not start hating the season as men do not know how to balance hunting and anything else. errrg!

OH! I need a dessert to take Tuesday night.....hmmm, what can I make? or can Steve make Tuesday after work? Brownies? Something fall-ish but easy!
*edit http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/praline-pumpkin-dessert/a9e39b15-e1ce-49ee-b0a5-63da75ce72cb Thinking this is what I am making for Tuesday!! :-)

I'll be back! XOXO

Love this...

I used this awhile back....made an easy blog post template...Thanks Ali Edwards and The Simple Woman's Daybook....for the idea.

Outside my window... it is dark and cold

I am thinking...about getting groceries when Steve leaves to hunt tomorrow morning

I am thankful for...my family and our health

From the kitchen...I smell chili and hear Steve filling his bowl again

I am wearing...my pjs.

I am creating...a few cards for upcoming birthdays and my Thanksgiving cards

I am going...crazy!!

I am reading...blogs, blogs and more blogs....OH and Facebook too.

Around the house...things are settled. Jake is on XBOX with friends, Steve I and II are in my bed watching 'IT' - not me - freaky clown in that one. (Koda is not home...hello? it is a Friday night!!)

One of my favorite things... my family!

A few plans for the upcoming week...starting my new job, football awards banquet,

A photo to share...

Love this one! How cute. Miss you Mom! XXOO

Happy almost Birthday! XXOO

Great pics

Grandma and her babies


Had to share a couple great pics from a couple weekends ago before my mom headed out for TX!

Newest news. We have a new baby in the family...always great reason to smile.

A tiny little red-headed baby girl was born to my nephew and hi wife...Brielle Addison.

I will post pics soon

PEACE! xo

i want to blog

but I've been exhausted lately.
I have taken on a new part-time job....we'll see how this goes. Michaels hired me as seasonal part time....the pay is not high....but it will help with Christmas! and....I get a 25% discount on regular priced items! woo hoo. Make your shopping lists and I will happily share the wealth!
What's new with you?

Crazy

The alarm went off at 530 am this morning....someone was going hunting but decided to crawl back into bed and sleep. Most mornings I would be flattered, NOT today! That darn alarm woke me up and I have been awake since. Ugh. I muttered something and crawled out of bed at 6am. Been in the kitchen since....I have made pumpkin choc chip muffins, applesauce muffins, and COFFEE with my southern pecan creamer. I am feeling like this time alone for me may have been good for all other occupants in the home. :-)
Making muffins gallore to freeze - the boys love grabbing one in the morning, popping it in the microwave on their way to school. They used to be such wonderful eaters in the morning...healthy eaters too!! Now I am stuck with a gazillion boxes of cereal and no one is eating it. Hoping that will change when wrestling starts!! *Thanks Beth for the idea - freezing muffins for easy peasy breakfast for boys on the run.
**Super simple muffins....1 can of pumpkin (15 oz) and a white cake mix. Same for applesauce- I used 2 cups of cinnamon applesauce with a cake mix.

Yesterday I went to my first card camp. It was fun. I ended up with loads of great cards....12 I think, a treat box idea, and fun with some girls from work. I will post pics a little later to the blog when I can get to the camera and pc...using my little junk laptop now as I am hiding out in the kitchen enjoying MY time.

I am counting down the days to my weekend away with the girls!! WooHoo! 2 nights in a hotel with no alarms. Funny, I am still an early riser....planning to just escape and let people sleep if those alarms sound before everyone else. I pinky swear! I am most excited to have a weekend to hang out with my friends. * 5 more days!!

Jake is better. I am convinced we saw H1N1 up close. Fevers for 5 days all over 101 and as high as 103.6, lethargic, yucky nose, cough, sore throat! They tested him for everything but H1N1 - strep negative, chest x ray negative, mono negative. He has been on Keflex for a week and Tylenol cold. When they called me with the final negative result....she said sounds like it might just be the flu but we want him to stay on antibiotocs because pneumonia usually comes as a secondary infection with H1N1.....H what? I asked on Monday if they thought it might be and they said NO! and that they no longer test for it. Just treat the symptoms and keep a close eye on anyone you suspect is not feeling well. It comes on quick and hits hard!! Encourage the hand sanitizer, washing your hands! They are telling us at the hospital that droplets can travel 6 ft when someone sneezes or coughs!! And the virus stays alive on toys, balls, countertops, etc for 4-8 hours!
J High freshmen football team had 7 kids out the same time Jake was out with the same symptoms! Some bounced back quicker than Jake some are still with fever. They are more from JV and Varsity! Gotta love those kids that put their mouth on the team water bottles. Mine knows better but we watched one at the last game do it and a few of us moms were commenting! They ditched the bottles at the last game and went to dixie cups and they have taped off the drinking fountain in the locker room!
Jake missed last weeks game and he was so bummed! They expected a win and were really looking forward to the break!! :-( They clobbered Northwest 48-18.
(Beth*Hense was not playing either- as he punched a kid and told him to F Off at the last game and was ejected and was unable to play the following game too!! I was sitting next to Jim when it happened and he muttered 'Thank God he is my last, I do not think my name nor my heart could take another' Poor guy has his hands full Jake is all his since Mmmma left. )

Guess I had better stop blabbering now...Hope you have a super Sunday!!

Miss you

I miss my blog! I miss your blogs! I need to get back to blogging!

Jake has been sick and he has been absorbing loads of my time. I have been working part days...running to and fro....mono testing today - negative....but still 102 temps tonight!

Have to share a pic I LOVE! I am planning to partner this with a senior pic for his open house invites! First day and senior year!
How quickly this little guy grew to me a young man....where did the days go?

Peace!!

update

Buckless Barton boys make for sad Mondays!

They had fun but came out empty handed!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I however, came back last night and was pooped! I left on Thursday from Jackson after Jake's football game. Spent the night with my dad - we have a great visit just the 2 of us. Then bright and early on Friday my sis in law Barb picked me up, we met the other sil and made way to Stony Lake where we boarded the bus. ( Mom's full size Econoline van) Picked up my Aunt Bobbi and cousin Steph.....and we were off by 10am!

We stopped at a quaint little B&B for lunch.....yummy little dilly sandwiches!!

Our hotel was right on the bay.....great view. Loads of fishing boats!

The state hospital....was just plain freaky!! The shops were unique and fun to check out BUT it was a little - ok a lot - weird in there!! IT still looked very much like an asylum inside other than some of the rooms are now shops.

We shopped and shopped downtown....loads of fun.

Patsy Cline show on Sat night was great! It was at a local playhouse....adorable little place.....no pics as they were forbidden! :-)

I am off and running

Did a 12.5 hour day today with no lunch and I am whooped.
But on the flip side...I am working till noon tomorrow, then getting groceries for my hunter men, heading home to change clothes for the football game, and from the game....I am heading to my dad's. I will stay the night with him and get up and head to my mom's with my sis in law at 830am. Meeting the rest of the group at mom's and we are off at 930 for TC!
Insane Asyum here I come.
Have an awesome weekend....girls....have a great Friday girls get together! Miss me.

a run down

Outside my window...peaceful sidewalks and roads...just a peek of sunshine

I am thinking...about what I need to get ready for today and tomorrow.

I am thankful for...things we don't ask for (or think we want) but get anyway & weekends like this where the five of us are all together with no agenda other than to simply be together...until this evening

From the kitchen...more salsa to be canned. Poterhouse steaks from the freezer tonight, brownie minis for lunches to be baked

I am creating...Halloween cards and a few'other cards

I am going...with Koda this evening for session 2 of his senior pics....tonight is indoor

I am reading... My Sister's Keeper

I am hoping...that this cold thing is on the up swing. Ruined my scrappin plans for yesterday totally....started running a fever and never shook it until 1130pm.

I am hearing...a peaceful house all still asleep...just a fan running

Around the house...YUCK. a mess. Remember I was in bed with fevers yesterday? all the menfolk were on their own

One of my favorite things...is that when I am sick ....my 3 boys take darn good care of me. Taking my temp, filling my glass telling me to drink, giving me more Tylenol or Advil. Good boys!! xxoo

A few plans for the rest of the week...Senior pics tonight, trip to Michaels with Jake for a school project, work early on Wed - 6am!!, early leave on Thursday and a football game and heading north afterwards, then Friday the girls leave for Traverse City - Girls weekend 2009! We are heading to the old State Insane Asylum or States Hospital and then a winery tour. OH! and a Patsy Cline show too!

Growing up....

These boys are growing so quickly it just amazes me.
I really do not feel like I have had enough time to prepare them for this ugly world! Yet, Dakoda is a senior already! Where did the time go?

He has been trying on 'new shoes' in life's little shop of treasures!! He has been trying real hard to get as grown up as he can since he received his license. Unfortunately he has received some lil heartbreaks too.

• Skipping school because he 'needed to ease into his senior year!' NOPE didn't fly....the truck was parked.
• Hmm, lead foot? Not me? Yep! Received his first and LAST speeding ticket on Monday in his own driveway!! WOO HOO! Yep, he was 'coasting' down the hill from his Gma's to our house....and was clocked at 40 in a 25! The cop cut him a break down to just 5 over. $100 and 2 pts. His dad is going to join him in a meeting with the magistrate (aka court jester) to see if they will waive the points! He sure is hoping they will since I suggested the extra $$ my insurance will go up will come from his 'fun $$'.

All in all he is an awesome kid. and he is learning from these errors...and I can't say it's abnormal for kids to try these stunts ( I think I might have? once? except no tickets yet!)....but I thought mine were perfect and above that? HA HA

school clothes?

OMW! This crazed lady finally got school clothes for the boys.....thankfully we live close to a Kohls and a couple malls. Truthfully though...no one wanted to go shopping....finally I had to tell Koda that he HAD to have new jeans for school as I would not allow him to be a college student in grubby jeans that he wore to work all summer long! I was shocked to learn that Steve II is now wearing a size 13 shoe! These last 2 boys are going to need seperate houses!!

Busy week...thankfully it is a short one.
Tues -back to school - 1/2 day - football practice
Wed- full day of school. - practice - football dinner....have to provide 5 lbs of taco meat and sour cream
Thurs - school and game
Fri - school and back to school dance - and FRESHMEN lock in! They go to the dance then stay in the school until 6am on Saturday!!

My calendar is completely full through October! WOO HOO!! Lots of fun stuff planned!! Girls getaway with the family, a trip to meet the Hamlin's, a birthday- going away celebration for my mom, a scrapbook weekend with my fav girls.

I love FALL!

Foozeball

#71 No circles no arrows this time....but he is the one with orange and black shoes and a #71! :-)

I love the last pic...something about all the colors maybe?

We lost again....but we got on the board this time. Hoping we will continue to grow and learn! WAIT...not grow in size! I cannot keep him in shoes and jeans. 35" inseam this year and 15 1/2 shoes!!

Life is good. Life is crazy but good. I am starting to feel a little more at ease with these ugly hormones! Never realized how very important they are in a woman's daily living! Ladies...hang on to those buggers as long as you can!! They can make life rocky without them!

The boys are getting anxious for school to start!

Koda- BIG man on campus and little man on another. He is playing a dual role this year...a senior at J High and a freshman at Baker!

Jake- a feshman at J High.

Steve- 8th grade...the Big guys at Parkside.

WOW! I am OLD! I had not realized how old I was already...good thing I do not feel that OLD.

Really....This should be a FUN year full of excitement.