a new toy

Not quite sure how to operate this thing yet.....but I have played a few times.  Grabbed the attention of my boys too....all 3 that were home.  Everyone wanted a demo.
I received my new toy as a birthday present.......do you know what it is? 

It is the starter version...small but mighty!  Before last night, I had not ever even seen one in motion.  (I had heard them behind my back buzzing along at crops. but have never touched one nor seen it in action!)

3 Boys CAN melt my heart

On a happy note....my house is a happy place tonight.  Whew!  Much needed and most loved!

Jakob asked his dad to take him to Best Buy so he could use his bday money to get a game and new pedal for Guitar Hero....this way all 3 boys could play a game together.  Steve was struggling today with boredom.

I love that there are still days like these!  They are having fun...taking turns and laughing!

(BTW - Steve is the designated singer.....he can't play any instruments with one hand.                                 IT WORKS!  Happy boys = Happy Mom that is hauling out some card making supplies!!  Dad - zzzzzzz!!)

Only scroll down IF you want to see what his arm looks like without the bandage!!

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he hates the body shot as he not as buff yet as he's like to be.  lol  but he did want his Grandma to see what kind of contraption he is in!  :-)

XXOO

Really not so bad to see.....beneath the steri strips and small medication bandage are the ends of the pins.

They will remain for about 6-8 weeks....maybe less as kids heal faster than us older folks.  lol

Pinch me!

Nope, it's not St. Pattys Day yet......nothing to do with wearing GREEN!

Please pinch me and tell me it's all a bad dream!

Steven finally got back to wrestling last night.....his 'worm' was cleared up finally.  First match...he was doing GREAT and then the take down....both guys came down on Steve's shoulder.  SNAP! He felt his arm go numb.....a snowy blizzard-like trip back to Jackson......Express Care!  Hmm, I knew it was unfavorable when 2 drs and 2 nurses came to our room to explain what they found and then they took us to the xray readers and showed us.  Steve fractured his humerus...the head is cracked completely.

Sent us to ER - they had already called over so they were expecting us and let us know he would be going to surgery tonight.  We sat and waited...and waited....nothing for pain...and then the ortho on call decided he was not comfortable with doing surgery.....better to see someone in the morning that specializes? 

We had a rough night but we are hoping for a more favorable day today with some pain relief and a fix.

Oh my 40!

It's TRUE!  I know I don't look or act it...but I turned 40 today. 

Dad came down!  SURPRISE!...we went to lunch at Los Tres Amigos where they mentioned it was my birthday!!  So when we finished our meal the waiter snuck up behind me placed the sombrero on my head and sang Happy Birthday in Spanish to me to the rest of the wait staff.....and while they were singing he was spreading whipped cream and hot fudge all over my face! 

The boys LOVED IT. 

Then off to Kroger to get some groceries....home now watching a movie with my family!

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!  XXOO

fill'er up

Looking to top off my tank today.  :-)  Seems like lately I am just running wild....schedules are not up to date, appointements and more appointments, nothing seems to be going as planned, blah blah blah!

I was off yesterday, took dad to the U of M.  Excellent appointment.  They said the infection is finally clearing.  Not scheduled back until June 12th.  Dr did mention again that we may need to think about opening up again to do more repairs...we will see.

Steve II has been battling ringworm since the beginning of Feb.  Coaches said yesterday that he can only wrestle IF he gets permission from the dr stating he is no longer contagious....and they told us to BLEACH his spot last night of ringworm.  Steve bleached it.....and now Steve has a secondary infection complete with low grade fever this morning!  C'mon....can we just be normal?  nope.
No wrestling until March 1st....I thought he was going to cry!!  Poor boy!  He is 1-0!  lol  he wants the # to grow a little.

So..I am OFF to sort some pics and relax.  and fill'er up!  :-)

Snowfest 2010

Jackson High Snowfest was tonight.  Last minute decision - Dakoda and Jaci decided to go.

Ugh, boys are such a challenge.  I begged him to come back so I could snap a few pics of them together.

Quote of the day...made me giggle. Thanks Mom

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her


sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a

home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her

a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is

given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of

shit.'

Happy Birthday Jakob Tyler

Just a wee little bloggin day late.

I am certain that at 15 he is ok with my birthday post being a little late!  :-)

He had a SNOW day for his birthday- got a new COD: Modern Warfare game to play on his snow day - and got to pick where he wanted to go for dinner - and he picked MY favorite....Applebeees! 

Happy Birthday, Jakob Tyler!  You are an amazing young man, full of character and a big heart you wear on your sleeve.  You have a super heart and are always giving and thinking of others.  You make me proud!

I cannot believe that you are already in high school and beginning to plan for your future.....seems like just yesterday we were bundling you up to bring you home in a big snow storm, much like your birthday this year!  :-)

Love you Frankenstein, JT, Jaker, T Bone!  :-)  XXOO

It's finally Friday (again)

I feel like that's all I ever dream about anymore...weekends.
I want to get organized and scrapbook, and sew, and craft......but I have to work and make money. Isn't there someone out there that wants to pay me (and my friends) to do all of the above?
Ok back to work.

Happy Weekend

How silly is this pic?  These new tissue boxes from WALMART make me smile.  I love the designs....don't you? 
We have finally had a low key weekend....and I am so darn happy! 
I found some awesome new blogs....Coupon Geek , Frugal Girls! and Common Sense with Money that made me super happy today too.
Shopped with coupons at Walmart...just me, no helpers....and saved $17.00 with coupons alone.  Rockin and Rollin!  New menu items for the next week....I am excited.
How silly is it that all of these simple things make me happy?  I colored my hair and had it cut today too!!
Ahhh!  I feel like ME.  I almost forgot who she was ......
and to top it off....no boys tonight again.....just Steve and I.
Hurry!  find the pause button!
Have a great weekend.
Oh my goodness....Steve just came home with Save Time pizza after being gone all day with his brother....MY Romeo.  :-)  lol

WOW!!

Tim, Bill, Grandma Meek (Cruella De Ville) Kim,

front Jim (hlding Tony) and Kandi

Jake and I were scanning pics today....and all 3 of my boys love this pic!  Because they love Gram's coat!

the calm

oh my.  ahhhh.  life has calmed down a few notches. and it feels good.  so good.

Koda got a postcard today from the cardiologist that says all tests came back within normal ranges and see you on Feb 11th.  He has been released back to physical activities too - only suggestion was to be smart and listen to your body!  WOOT!  WOOT!

Dad said he went to breakfast today.....using just his cane.  His pain doctor is weaning him from his stronger drugs and working with those that target the nerve pain.  Good stuff.  He has been so much more optimistic it is awesome.

Life is good.

No wrestling this week for Steven II.  Tonight he went with Koda to the varsity wrestling meet.

May 29th is gaining on me...must scrapbook and get Koda's book ready and start my planning!!  Graduation!  WOW. 

where have we been?

Where to begin....my life has been a big blut for the past couple of weeks.

• Dad had his surgery....everything went great and he seems to be really gaining some feeling back and control.  Let's just pray that this continues and that the awesome dr's at the U of M actually did repair the problem.
• Mom & Noel - sunning in TX at last!  The temps today were in the 80s and when we talked today she seemed to be enjoying each and every ray!  :-)  Miss you Mom
• Dakoda- his EKG and stress test came out great!  His echo....well, it showed that 3 of his 4 valves in his heart are showing signs of regurgitation.  2 are trace amounts and one they called trivial.  He has a great doctor at Michigan Heart that he and I both love, Dr. Zande....we meet with him again on Feb 11th.  College is going great....all of his fears and assumptions were false...he is still in the medical program....and he is re-taking an algebra class is the biggest problem he has!
• Jakob- doing great - no sports or illness at this time....weight training to stay in shape.
• Steve - wrestling....won his first match on Wed.  Did not wrestle this weekend and none next week. 
• Me?  Insane, crazy and trying my best to get it all back on track...on my calendar and in sync.

It's been a long time since I have taken a day off for ME!  and I did last Wed!  Beth and I swore we would make time periodically to get together ...a year later we actually made it happen.  Of course, we had a day full of fun and laughs .....even had a run in with mall security at Eastwood ?  Seems you are not allowed to take pics of the store names?  Silly rent a cop thought we may be working for the competitors and were planning some big take over...lol.  All in all....we did some super window shopping, had a great lunch and best of all Girl Time with Loads of Laughs!  The best medicine ever.  Thanks Beth.  Can we do this again soon?

Spent the evening tonight chillin......making some cards.....have some ideas for a few more just need a few accessories.  Just one kid....the other 2 are with friends and going to Rock n Bowl tonight where they will actually run into each other, maybe?

Tomorrow....planning to get my meals ready for the week.  Laundry.  Clean house.  FUN day?

snow day

• Snow day Friday....we got about 7 inches of snow. They called it off about 6:10am. I get Jake and Steve up at 5:30am.....they catch their bus at 6:30am! darn those people.
• Koda went to the cardiologist - EKG looked great. Stress test and echo scheduled for next week. Dr. Zande suggested that Koda may just have a bad case of gerd (acid reflux) and his lactose intolerance is flared up, but he is still suspicious that there may be a problem with his heart. His cholestrol is 228...high, especially for a 17 year old that is fit and exercises regularly.
• My 'boot' is gone....and I am in phyicial therapy 3 times a week. Feels better, but weak.
• Next week is crazy busy. wrestling meet for Steve II, Koda tests, college starts back for Koda, I have therapy, Dad has his procedure at the U of M....and I am certain there is more too.

I have declared this weekend a resting weekend. We are all home tonight....movies and xbox. Me? finished some payroll homework and made a couple cards. Now I want to scrapbook or make some more cards.

Tomorrow....NOTHING on our agenda!! I want to keep it that way!! It is my snow day

My word for 2010

change.

It fits.
Lots of changes coming about it 2010.

our first born son graduating high school, healthier lifestyles and menus, my sister - in - law turns the BIG 5-0, I turn the BIG 4-0, my parents celebrate their 50th year class reunion from ERH, Steve II is in his final year of middle school, Jakob will be able to start his driver's training, I think I could go on and on......

*OK, Beth....something that makes me happy?

Jakob & Steve II laying on my bed on their bellies side by side.....Jakob explaining algebra to Steve II ....and the light bulb came on for Steve - and he thanked Jakob with a lot of enthusiasm...including telling him that Jake explains it so much clearer than his teacher.....did I hear compliments? from one boy to another? am I in the right house? that's happiness.

Coming home to a warm dinner made by my hubby, plowed driveway, cleared walkway, and some laundry done. YES!

Happiness is finding doctors that you are confident in. Dad's doctors at the U of M are making amazing steps towards finding him some relief. Hoping tomorrow we will find the same awesome results with Dr. Zande for Koda's new troubles.

a room with a view

This would be the view from my office.....well it was last week. Seems to be my second home nowdays. I think we may have finally made it over the hump of the new year and loads of Medicare changes that has kept the computer program changing almost daily!

Back to work tomorrow....

2010

We had a great New Years Eve...went to the Peek's. The adults played euchre, kids played XBOX or Wii.

Thank you Hamlin's for letting us borrow 2 of your boys.....our 2 were so darn happy to have them. They all got along great and traded several hours of sleep a night for gaming time.

It is so cool to see them all together again......awesome boys!

It was nice to get to see Beth, Kyle and the other 2 when we picked up and dropped off too. Quick visits but nice to see them for a minute!! Sure do miss them all.

Missing my Koda....he went north for the week to help Grandpa out! He has had loads of fun up there and had a lot of freedom. I sure do miss his wit and humor and all around just plain good kid. Hope he comes home tomorrow......could be a hold up due to the new storm.

Thanks Beth for the inspiration! I have started some de-cluttering. Started with the fridge....and kitchen cabinets. Also hit my bedroom.....that is a disaster in the works!

I think I will post these at home!!

What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
- Aldous Huxley
If you can find something everyone agrees on, it's wrong.
- Mo Udall

much better.....

Ahh I feel a little refreshed and I have 'filled my cup back up'. I feel like ME today..... :-) Hope that's still a good thing!! :-)

I made peanut butter fudge and chocolate cashew yesterday. Today I made peanut butter n jelly cookies, peanut butter, I am working on million monster cookies, brownies and regular chocolate fudge!

Steve went out again this morning to try to fill the rest of the freezer...he saw fresh tracks but no luck!! Maybe tonight?
The boys stayed the night at Jody and Bryan's - XBOX360 wars. Today they are going bowling!

My week at a glance....

• complete and total craziness at work tomorrow and Tuesday!!
• New phones for all staff on Monday
• and HUGE computer upgrades for all staff on Tuesday!!
• Kids are out of school
• Dad goes to the U of M on Tuesday - thanks Aunt Shar and Uncle Dick, they are taking him.....he goes for another MRI and to see the surgeon about the mass they discovered.
• Hoping to hear from the doctor about Koda's PFT - he does seem to be a little better since I decided to add Delsym into his meds.
• I am off Thursday - Sunday!! Steve has to work Thurs and Sat which puts a kabosh to any travels.
• Looks like we will have wither a white or soggy Christmas....we will see.
• Plans to go see Sherlock Holmes on Christmas day!

Do you have BIG plans this week?

what a start....

to my weekend with NO plans.....cup of coffee in bed with raspberry chocolate creamer, Steve went hunting, fresh blanket of snow....still snowing....aahhhh!!
and THEN.....Jake went to the basement freezer for me......WATER in the basement....NO!!

*pipe = shower drain leaking and is actually separated. We were scared...it is Christmas by all means.....we have no handy man funds...lol. Thankfully my hubby is a handy man .....it is fixed and didn't cost us a penny! The ring was warped and it just pulled apart!! YES, I am singing praises and thanking the Lord!! I need a break...seems the past 2 weeks have just plain been an overload of negative and my shoulders are SOOOOO heavy!! Time to shed some of the grief.
Lucky enough to have an awesome friend that checks in on me routinely and keeps me looking up and reminding me that I am strong!! Thank you !!

Now on to the fun stuff.....Jake and I made a double batch of creamy peanut butter fudge and now I made a single batch of chocolate cashew fudge. (Thanks Gram for the cashews!!)
and then I ran out of sugar!! OH well. Minor issue. I will make way to grab some more in a bit!!

Steve just took the kids to his sister's so the boys could hang out and play with their cousins for a couple hours...they love to have huge XBOX 360 tournaments together. We have all been so busy no time to get them together....today was perfect!!

The foot is SORE! I have been on the GO a lot this week and not been caring for it as much as I should and surely cannot sleep with the boot on all night long! It is hot and bulky!!

Koda had his pulmonary function test yesterday....he hopes to never have to go through that again....he says he now believes he is claustrophobic.....they closed him in a capsule and did several breathing tests and some made him panic.....felt like he was out of air and was suffocating!! Scary!! We should get results back this week.

Dad goes back to the U of M on Tuesday.....they have determined he has a mass on his spine which has been his issue all along. Looks like surgery soon and they are pushing for VERY soon!!