Tuesday Ramblings

I am loving Cameron being in 1st grade! I still have almost 2 hours by myself until he gets home!

I finally went back to the gym today. I hadn't been in 2 months! I was going 5 days a week for a good 12 weeks and then I stopped because things kept coming up. However, I have made a vow to myself to go back so I did. My arms will be hurting me tomorrow!

Now that Cameron is in school longer I will have more time to do what I want to do on my days off. I plan on going to the gym right after I drop him off, come home to clean house and then READ. I am embarrassed to show this, but these are my bookshelves that are overflowing. There are few on my shelves that I have actually read. My bedside table has 2 scrapping books and 2 books that I am reading...Well, I am actually only reading one at the moment. I need another bookshelf since I have books in front of books here. I have this sick obsessionI have a large list of books that I wanted to read this year and so far I have strayed from it quite a bit.
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh READ
Bakers Tower by Jennifer Haigh
Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
The Virgin's Lover by Phillipa Gregory
No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty
The Davinci Code by Dan Brown READ
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik READ
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant READ
Jewel by Bret Lott READ
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie READ
Hour Game by David Baldacci
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Child of Darkness by V.C. Andrews READ
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown READ
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
'Til Death Do Us Part by Kate White
A Body to Die For by Kate White READ
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell READ
1st to Die by James Patterson
2nd Chance by James Patterson
3rd Degree by James Patterson
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich READ
April Shadows by V.C. Andrews
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich READ
The Broker by John Grisham
Red Lily by Nora Roberts READ
Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich READ
Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich READ
Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson
Mary Mary by James Patterson
Marley & Me by John Grogan READ
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
The Ha-Ha by Dave King
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Don’t look Down by Jennifer Crusie
Cell by Stephen King READ
Dirty Blonde by Lisa Scottoline
The Debutante Divorcee by Plum Skyes
Heart’s Desire by Laura Pedersen
Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes by Cathy Holton
Carolina Isle by Jude Deveraux
The Brambles by Eliza Minot
The Widower by Liesel Litzenburger
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
The Slow Moon by Elizabeth Cox

This is the list I have actually read this year:
January
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Red Lily by Nora Roberts
February
To The Nines by Janet Evanovich
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Child of Darkness by VC Andrews
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes by Julie Powell
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
March
Jack and Jill by James Patterson
Jewel by Bret Lott
Cat and Mouse by James Patterson
A Body to Die For by Kate White
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh
April
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik
May
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Full House by Janet Evanovich
June
Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich
Cell by Stephen King
Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie
July
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Swapping Lives by Jane Green
12 Sharp by Janet Evanovich

There are always new books that I want to read so I will add it to my list of books I plan on reading this year.

Cards Galore!

For Christmas this past year my parents bought me the QVC card making kit item #F10915 if you are interested. I finally took everything out of the box yesterday and made a bunch of cards. I have almost completed the kit. I took pictures of the different cards. They are a bit blurry as I didn't use my flash and I had to breathe when I snapped them. They aren't terrible though.

They were fun to make and really got my juices flowing again. I made this card using a kit from One Page At a Time.
On another note, I just purchased my math textbook from eBay. I can't wait to get it. I really want to look through it to see just what I have gotten myself into. I did stop at a school bookstore yesterday to make sure I get the correct book and to see what it was like. At first glance it looks like what I was studying for to take my placement exam. I'm sure there will be things in there that I am not sure of and will need some help. I am nervous and excited at the same time to start school. My first day is August 25th!

It's HOT again

I am so tired of this heat! I would really like to go out and pull weeds, but I can't handle the temperatures. I did go out to pick some veggies, but that was about all I could handle. I sure hope the weather cools down soon so I can go outside. I feel like I've stepped into an oven when I open the door.

Michael has finally put together his helicopter and took it out for it's first little flight yesterday. He made some training gear (the x thing with the whiffle golf balls on it) so it has less chance of flipping over and hitting the blades. I took some pictures of him and it today.



You can't really see much on the tiny house picture, but I haven't had a picture of my house recently so that is why I took the photo.

Here are some cute shots of my little man! He had to wear pink to school on Friday and I wanted to take his picture because he was looking too adorable. He loves to pose for the camera! What a ham!


It looks like I will be getting my weather wish soon! I just checked the local news channel to see this..

I'm off on Tuesday so hopefully it will stay as forcasted. I just hope the storm stays away until I am finished! I hope everyone had a good weekend. We didn't do much of anything. We sort of just hung out at home and watched some movies. We have one left to watch tonight and then I can send them back to Netflix and get some new ones. Have a great week! I hope to update again soon!

1st day of 1st grade!

Look how cute Cameron is with his sun scrunched face! He was so excited to go to school this morning. When he woke up he said, "Mom, do you know what day it is?" I replied with, "Yeah, it's Wednesday." He said, "No mom, it's my first day of 1st grade! Aren't you happy that I am going to be gone all day?" I had to say, "Well, today doesn't matter to me since I have to work, but on Friday I am going to party all day!" Too cute!

We met his teacher yesterday. She seems very nice. I plan on helping a lot this year. I had to stop helping last year when Michael had his accident.
Many of you have asked how I am liking the cricut. I really like it! It is so quick and easy! I bought another cartridge on Monday. What fun! I plan on buying another one next week when I get paid. This thing is addicting. I really hope they some day make it connect to the computer. There is a USB port on the back of it so there is always hope. I do plan on doing some more layouts on Friday after I get my new tires put on in the morning...heck, I will have all day to party! You all really should come over for a scrapping night sometime and you can play with my little beige bug too. How does that sound?

I SCRAPPED!!!

I haven't done a single layout (except for the QKU ones) in over a year! I decided to start a school album for Cameron using 8x8 pages. I will do his first day of Kindergarten along with the last day pictures too. I am thinking I will put a sports page in if he is doing sports at any time during the years too.The color of his class picture doesn't really match, but I don't care! I scanned the 8x10 in and printed it...this is the color it came out...it should be a bit darker. I used my cricut for the flowers and teacher name.

Here's another I just finished. This used the Cricut George and the retired Stampin' Up! set "Have a Ball"

It's DONE!

My clean room!

It feels so good that it is finally clean! How long can I keep it this way? I guess if I was as anal about this room as the rest of my house it would be clean forever. I wonder why I let this room get so out of hand!

Before I was even done cleaning it yesterday I ran to Roberts to buy more stuff. What's up with that?! I bought more Chatterbox papers and a black 8x8 album to do a school album for Cameron.

Today I ran to Michaels and Joanns to buy even more! I really wanted a Cricut and Michaels had a 40% coupon that didn't exclude the machine so I went and bought the last one that they had. I ran across the street to get another cartridge from Joanns using their 40% off coupon too! What a great morning! Shannon, I thought about stopping by but I figured you would be working. If anyone has an extra Joann's coupon that you aren't going to use I would love to have it! ;)
Now I have to start scrapping again and I think I can with a clean room and a new toy! What fun! Cameron just walked in my room and asked why everything is so clean. I guess he got used to this room being the sty too.

One word......

OVERWHELMED

This is how I am feeling right now. I decided to clean my scrapbook room today...UGH! Why oh why did I decide to do it now? Because I really would like to work on something again and with the room in such disarray it is hard to get motivated to do much of anything!

This is what I started with at 2:30 and I sit here typing at 3:30 with it looking about the same if not worse! I started to cull some magazines and ended up going through them tearing out ideas. I finally decided to put the pile aside and start putting some stuff away. Well, not much has been done yet! I still can't see the tabletop, but I am starting to get things off the floor now.

I need my good friend Shannon to come over! You see, Shannon helped me organize my room when Michael bought my shelves for me last year. She was such a help....I just keep thinking that if Shannon were here it would be done by now. Well, back to the grind. Hopefully I can update soon with a much cleaner room. If only I hadn't received such a large amount of product from my QKU convention (not that I am complaining or anything the stuff was/is awesome!)

Yardwork

Well, two hours later I finished mowing and edging the front and back. I felt so proud. I even turned on the sprinklers. I plan on getting outside first thing in the morning to do some weeding and then later in the evening to do some more. I do have to clean house tomorrow. I think I am the culprit when it comes to clutter. I came home from the weekend and now the house is a sty! Oy vey!

IT'S HOT!!

My backyard is looking awful...it's been too hot to go out and take care of it. I did mow the front yard last week sometime, but I about died doing it. I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke. Here is what the weather forecast is right now...

That is much too hot for me. Cameron has the right idea though...yum, popsicles!
I decided to snap a picture of Cameron doing his favorite thing. He loves to hang out in my room and play Xbox. We have a 360 downstairs, but he plays his Xbox in my room more than anything. I think he gets bored with it pretty fast as he will only play for about 10 minutes at a time before he shuts it off to do something else. Isn't he cute?!

As I sit here typing I am looking out my window and see that there is a breeze blowing. Perhaps I should get outside and do some mowing. I've got my shorts on and my hair up so I should just head on out.

Oh, but before I forget here is a picture from the scrappin' convention that I attended this past weekend. I took this picture from Heidi's blog as I didn't take any pictures myself. Heidi isn't in this picture, but if you go to her blog you can see her cute face!

The past weekend was so fun meeting all these wonderful women. I met a few last year when I stopped in during their lunch break and stayed for 2 projects. The projects this year were FANTASTIC! I can't wait to do this again next year...hint, hint Heather. I'd wink my eye at you, but I don't know how.

Ok, now I am heading outside to tackle the backyard. Oh how I wish Michael was able to do some of the work without being in so much pain. Speaking of, I haven't updated on Michael in quite a while. He is progressing well, but is still in constant pain. He walks around a lot better and is able to get up the stairs pretty well too. He doesn't complain too much anymore, but I can sometimes tell when he hurts. There are days when he overdoes it and pays for it the following day or two. He has a new hobby. He bought a RC Helicopter and is almost finished putting it together. I will post on that later.

A fast update

I will post more later about the AWESOME weekend that I had at a private, local scrapbook convention. It was so much fun and I have lots of fun things to show when I am finished with them.

During the convention I was told that I don't update my blog very often by two very fun and nice people...Celeste & Kim. Here they are...

So, I am updating my blog. I vow to try to do a better job of updating. There was also talk about clean houses vs. not so clean houses. My house is generally pretty clean. I did mention that my scraproom is not one of these places and I would post a picture when I got home. I also decided to post some pictures of what the main floor of my house looked like when I got home from a weekend away at the convention. My boys kept it pretty clean. I was impressed.


So there you have my pretty clean, but cluttered abode. Oh, and I did throw away the 4th of July mum that was on the front room table...there are no pictures.

I'm a COLLEGE girl (again)!

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to go back to school. I just had this sudden urge when I woke up and got online to apply to the Salt Lake Community College. I don't know if I want to be a dental hygienist or a dentist. The hygiene program has a wait of 2011 right now. I am going to get my prerequisites done and then apply to that program. I'm thinking I might get the classes for dental school taken care of too just in case. I have to take a bunch of math and science classes for dental school so that is the only thing that is scaring me. I do have to take a few for hygiene, but they aren't anything I can't handle.

I had been worried about taking my math placement test to register for my math class. So, I had been brushing up on my algebra with help from books at the library. All my studying paid off...I took my test yesterday and placed into the math class I wanted. The class I placed into is the only math class I have to take to be able to take the Chemistry class I will also need. So today I registered for my Intermediate Algebra class! I will have class on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Not really how I want to spend my weekends, but it was the only times that really worked out for the family. I will start school on August 25th! I'm really quite excited! I had fun studying for the test...I think I really do like math despite what I felt about it in high school and college before.

Before I can apply to the Hygiene program I have to take the following classes:
English 1010:Intro to Writing
Soc 1010: Intro to Sociology
Comm 1010: Intro to Communications
Hlth 1020: Foundations of Nutrition
Math 1010: Intermediate Algebra
Psy 1010: General Psychology (I'm hoping I get credit for taking this at the UW before)
Biol 2060: Microbiology
Biol 2320: Human Anatomy
Biol 2420: Human Physiology
Chem 1110: Elementary Chemistry

All of those classes are going to take me awhile because I will only be able to take 1-2 classes per quarter with my work schedule and other obligations. I plan on taking classes year-round and some of them can be taken online which I may do to make things easier for me. I've been told that the nutrition class is an easy one to take online. There is no way I could take the science classes online. I need too much help.

Well, I have rambled on long enough.

A Beary Happy Birthday!

On Wednesday Cameron informed me that it was the birthday of his very special bear Beary. On the way to daycare I heard him talking to himself (he does this often, his reason is he doesn't have a brother to talk to), he was saying that he needs a box and a bow. I asked him what he needs those things for and he said it was Beary's birthday. He told me that Beary wanted a a Karate outfit. I told him I would try to stop by Build-a-Bear at lunch to look for one. Well, I found one and I also found the cute little birthday accessories to go with it.

When I picked Cameron up that evening he saw the bag in my car and pulled out the outfit and said, "How did you know that is what Beary wanted?!" I told him he told me and then he said, "Oh yeah." Well, he then said when we get home we have to be very quiet so we could surprise Beary. We found a box in the garage..couldn't find a bow, but that was okay. We got the items all ready for Beary and Cameron went upstairs to get Beary and his friends. His friends were wearing their Halloween costumes because it was a costume birthday party. Here are some more pictures of the birthday party!

TV Shows

Here's a question for you all....(from Yvonne)

What are 10 shows that you watch and 10 shows that you have never watched?
Watch:
1. ER
2. CSI: Las Vegas
3. CSI: Miami
4. CSI: New York
5. Gilmore Girls
6. NCIS
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Grey's Anatomy
9. Rachel Ray 30 Minute Meals
10.Prison Break

Never watch:
1. Amazing Race
2. West Wing
3. Bones
4. House
5. Dancing with the Stars
6. Boston Legal
7. Big Brother
8. Ghost Whisperer
9. The Office
10. The Apprentice

I've been tagged by Shannon

Thanks Shannon! What fun!
In my fridge:
1. Sunny Delight
2. Salad
3. Tupperware
4. Yogurt
5. Celery

In my closet:
1. Belts
2. Soccer ball signed by the Seattle Sounders from years ago
3. Parafin wax thing for your hands and feet
4. Many duffel bags
5. Shoes

In my handbag:
1. Wallet
2. lipsticks
3. pen
4. tweezers (you never know when you need to pluck an eyebrow)
5. roll of stamps

In my car:
1. cds
2. magazines (for when I am bored while I wait for Cameron after school)
3. safety glasses (an extra pair for work)
4. soccer ball (for Saturday games and practices)
5. headphones (for using at the gym)

On my TIVO/DVR/etc.
1. Sixteen Candles (I LOVE this movie!!)
2. A few CSI episodes from the week

I am tagging Lillian.

HELLO!

Well, Hi there! It has been awhile since I have updated anything. Last night we had Cameron's soccer meeting. He will have his first game on Saturday. I am NOT looking forward to being there before 9:00 AM, but oh well. When we got home from the meeting he HAD to try on his uniform. Then when he had it on he asked me to take his picture...so here it is...Of course, I think he looks cute!

I painted my family room earlier this month too. It is so nice to sit in that room now...it was nice before, but it is just so calming now. Here are some pictures. I actually have pictures of Cameron on the walls now too! The clock I have had for over a year...heck, it could be two years, and just this month it was finally taken out of my closet and hung on thewall.

This project was such a hassle. Michael wanted to fix any drywall problems before I painted so most of the day was spent spackling and sanding. I think I started painting near 4:00pm and we started things really early in the morning. I can't wait to paint more rooms...next I think is the guest room.

Michael is still about the same as the last update. He is doing pool therapy three times a week. His left knee is hurting him pretty badly so they are hoping this helps him. However, the doctor thinks he may have a torn meniscus. He has a doctors appt. on May 1st I think so they should address something at that time. I sure hope he doesn't have to undergo any surgery again.

Well, off to get ready for the day. I have to take Cameron to school, head to the gym to meet with my trainer, pick up Cameron, head to the IFA to pick up some garden stuff, come home and plant our vegetables that Cameron and I started awhile ago, then sit and relax as I am sure my back is going to start hurting again. Wow, I am tired already and I haven't even gotten out of my seat yet!

Oh, and tomorrow is the birthday of my friends Shannon and Calli! I am just saying this today as I will forget to do it tomorrow!

Just a quick post

I thought I would leave a post regarding my last post of Fibrocystic Breast Disease. I have had people ask about it and if I am doing okay. I am doing just fine. The pain isn't constant...sometimes it is a dull ache and other times it is a sharp pain. I don't have this every day. I noticed that the right breast seemed to be growing and it felt strange around where the pain was located. My doctor asked if I consume a lot of caffeine. I don't consume any so that wasn't the cause. He told me to take a Vitamin E pill every day and see if that helps. The pain has sort of gone away...I haven't felt it in a few days. I hope that answers some questions for people.

Tonight I met up with some girls from Two Peas to have some yummy dessert at Leatherby'sMichael and Cameron got to come along too since we were already out and about this afternoon. Michael got a HUGE banana split and actually finished it. I can barely finish my sundae and he finished 3 times as much ice cream as I had. A good time was had by everyone that attended.

I have done so good this week. I started seeing my trainer on Tuesday and have been to the gym every day since! Erin from work even got me to go to an abs class on Thursday night. What a hard class! It was 30 minutes of non-stop ab work. You better believe that I stopped...oh, about 15 times...some of the moves were just downright HARD. I don't have the coordination to do them. My abs are still killing me when I have to cough. I don't know if I will be going this week or not. She wants me to go every week with her.

Well, off to watch a movie or do some reading. I hope everyone is having a great day. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight before you go to sleep.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

That was my diagnosis today. Here is what I found online so I wouldn't have to type it all up.

What is Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

Controversy exists about the name - fibrocystic breast disease. Some argue that fibrocystic breast disease is not a disease, but a common and harmless condition experienced by women as they encounter hormonal changes during their menstrual cycles.

Others argue that fibrocystic breast changes are a precursor for future breast cancer. Current research suggests that women with fibrocystic breast disease or other benign breast conditions are more likely to develop breast cancer later only if a breast biopsy shows "atypia" or abnormal breast cells.

Most women with fibrocystic breasts will not show atypia when a breast biopsy is performed.
Fibrocystic breast disease is common and usually benign condition. Symptoms include swollen, tender breasts, and/or one or more lumps. Frequently, symptoms worsen just before a woman's menstrual cycle, subsiding near the end. For the majority of women these symptoms are a temporary discomfort, however some women experience severe pain.
Fibrocystic breast disease may affect one or both breasts. Women often discover the existence of this condition when, during their monthly breast self-exam, they detect a lump. As frightening as discovering a lump in your breast is it's important to remember that most breast lumps are not breast cancer. However, all breasts lumps must be investigated to rule out breast cancer and/or to begin immediate treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed.

He told me to keep an eye on it and if it isn't better by the beginning of May to come in for an ultrasound.

Yummilicious!

If you have trouble getting your daily water intake I would suggest buying some of the very yummy stuff! I don't have a problem drinking water while at work, but on my days off I slack a bit. With this Crystal Light I can get in lots of water while at home. It has no sugar, just 10 calories if you are using one of the regular sized water bottles. Cameron thinks this stuff is YUMMY too! I think you should try it. You won't be disappointed. They have many different flavors too. There is even a new orange that isn't shown in that link.

Today was my first day with my personal trainer. She worked my arms pretty good today. I am already starting to notice them hurting. I normally don't notice this early...it's only been 3 hours since I finished with her. I think this is going to be a positive thing for me. I even heard rumor of a new Golds Gym that will be much closer to my house. I hope the rumor is true and I hope if they do build it that it will have a theater in it like the one in Cottonwood. That is too much fun to be able to go do some cardio while watching a movie. Doesn't make it seem like you are even doing much...the time just flies by.

I know my arms are tired and were worked good today only by walking into Camerons room to help him with his computer. I know that this doesn't make too much sense, but it will when I am done. He was having some problem and called for me to help. I walked in and it smelled like something was on FIRE. I couldn't find where the smell was coming from so I was sniffing everywhere. I even sniffed him because he had been having some nasty gas. This didn't smell like nasty gas though. I finally found out that it was his monitor. Something inside of it must have gone bad because it wasn't working and it was very stinky. So, I called Michael and he told me to unplug it and put it in the garage. This is when I knew my arms were a bit fatigued. I had to lift up the 19" monitor...that sucker was heavy. I thought I was going to drop it a few times. Normally this isn't a big deal, but it was today! I then carried it downstairs and had to bring up Michaels old one so he would have something to use.

Well, I am off to the doctor. I have been having some pain in my right breast. It also seems to have grown a bit. I decided to take this problem to the doctor for him to figure out. I don't feel anything abnormal, but just want his opinion on it too.

Have a groovy day!

Another one for the day

I almost forgot...Michael went to work today! He isn't home yet, but when I called him around 2:30 he said he was going to be leaving soon because his hip was starting to bother him. I bet it feels great for him to finally be back in his office doing what he is used to doing.

We picked up his new car on Monday. He got a 2006 Chevy Impala. He was driving a 2002 before. He figured since he got out of the first one alive he should try the same car again. He had a choice between the Impala, an Altima, a Camry, a Taurus or a Caravan. The Impala had the best crash test ratings so naturally he chose it. It is a very pretty silvery gray color...mostly silver. It has that awesome new car smell too.

He will officially be going back to work on Monday for a few days per week until he can handle sitting for that long.

Back from CA

Well, we arrived back into cold Utah on Sunday. I had a nice time while I was in CA. Michael was in meetings most of the time so I went out and did a few things on my own and with some WA Carquest wives. It was nice to see them again and to meet a new wife named Janet. We took these past customers out to dinner and for drinks a few times. I found a new drink that is to die for...a caramel apple martini. Oh my goodness, it had real caramel dripped in the glass and an apple piece floating in the drink. I was smart from the beginning to save my apple until the drink was gone and use it for wiping up the caramel! YUM! I won't even begin to count how many of these I had while I was down there!

I brought Cameron back a few fun items. His favorite is the rubberband shooter! It is a wooden gun that holds 12 rubberbands at a time. However, these do sort of hurt when hit at close range with them. Oh, who am I kidding...they hurt from far away too. I also brought him a fake can of nuts...you know, the kind with the springy snake inside. How fun! However, he had seen this on a cartoon before and knew what was going to happen before he opened it. I wanted to scare the daylights out of him and it didn't work.

Today I took Cameron to see the Chronicles of Narnia. Yes, I know that the movie has been out for a LONG time, but it just got to the $1 theater so I thought I would go today. What a great movie! It was a little long and he did ask continuously when it was going to be over. I will be buying this movie in a few weeks when it comes out.

I haven't added any new pictures lately so here is one that Cameron took earlier today. Cameron loves to take pictures, but he has some strange fascination with taking pics of his cartoons. It seems like every time I look at my media card there are tons of cartoon shots. Perhaps he wants to be an animator when he is older and this is just his way of showing it.

I haven't posted the books that I have read in awhile so here is my current list for the year. Currently I am reading Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh

January
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Red Lily by Nora Roberts
February
To The Nines by Janet Evanovich
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Child of Darkness by VC Andrews
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes by Julie Powell
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
March
Jack and Jill by James Patterson
Jewel by Bret Lott
Cat and Mouse by James Patterson
A Body to Die For by Kate White

Michael Update

Michael had a VERY long morning today. We started the day off by me dropping him off for his pool therapy and physical therapy. I went to the gym for awhile to kill some time while he was there. I got back to the hospital around 10:00 so I could be there for his 10:15 appt. We didn't see the doctor until almost 12:30! He was very behind for some reason. The x-ray tech had to retake some x-rays and then they misplaced them and took some time to look for them. We finally got some good news today! His hip is showing signs of healing! Praise God! This made his chance of needing a hip replacement go from 50% to 25%! That said there is still the possibility that the bone will die, but we will keep on praying! Physical therapy kicked his butt today and they want him walking 100% weight baring now. He walked from the exam room to the x-ray room today without any support! Way to go Michael!

While at the gym today I signed up for 12 sessions with a personal trainer! Erin at work told me that they were running a special for $250 for 12 sessions. This normally runs almost $600! I mentioned it to Michael this morning before we even left and he told me to go for it...so I did! I will start going 2 times a week to the trainer after we get back from San Diego.

Yes, I said San Diego! The doctor has given the green light for Michael to travel now! He is happy that we will be able to go to the conference. He wants to see some people and say hello to his past customers from Washington. I will be doing some shopping and hanging out while he is in meetings. We will be leaving on Wednesday and coming home on Sunday! However, we don't have tickets yet! Michael was supposed to call the travel person for the company today to let her know what the doctor said and when we called she was already gone for the day. Michael hopes that she will be able to get us a flight there to have us there before 3:00 on Wednesday. There is a mandatory meeting he needs to go to that starts at 3:00.

Well, I just did a lot of typing. I am going to go down and do some laundry and read a book!

Sunday ramblings

We had Michael's physical therapy on Tuesday and Friday. He is down to only using ONE crutch to walk! We go on Friday to PT again and then right after to his doctors appt. He will have more x-rays taken at that time. We are praying that they see some sort of healing in his hip bone this time. Keep praying for him, I'm sure they are working. He says things feel better so he thinks it's healing. We're also hoping to get an OK to head to San Diego on the 15th for the Owner's Conference his company is having. I'm thinking he should be able to go, but would most likely need a wheelchair available for him while we are there to make things easier. He really wants to go to see some old customers from Seattle and just see everyone that he hasn't seen in a long time. If we do get to go Michaels dad is coming down on the 13th to take care of Cameron while we are away and just hang out for awhile when we get back. He hasn't seen Michael at all yet since the accident.

Today's To-Do list:
Clean up craft room
Vacuum all the floors
Mop up all the tile
Finish laundry
Pack my gym bag
Figure out what to do for dinner
Scrub bathrooms
Pick up all clutter
Relax
Read

We have been without a televeision since right after the Superbowl. I've been doing a lot of computer time and reading since then. We should have the parts to our TV here on Monday or Tuesday. Our TIVO has been set since then so we are going to have a LOT of shows to watch. I'm sure we will skip out on some that aren't really all that wonderful, but we record anyway. We do have a TV in our room, but it really doesn't get used all that much. I should have been doing a lot of creating in my craft room without the tv, but I haven't been in the mood to do anything like that at all. My creative juices have been blocked for sometime now and I want them to start flowing again.

Cameron has been doing such a great job with reading. His teacher has these Sight Word lists and we are to ask for a new one when he has the current one memorized. Well, we asked for the 4th list on Tuesday and then I asked for the 5th list on Friday since he was going off track and we would need something to work on during that time. She wrote back that she didn't have a 5th list made yet...she didn't think anyone would be there yet I'm guessing. She told me that it would be color and number words so I made him one this morning. He knows most of them already!

Well, I better get off the computer and start on my To-Do list for the day. I haven't done any cleaning at all this past week and it shows!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins by request

I never did make the muffins the other day, but Betsy has requested the recipe so here it is:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

4 large eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups sugar

1 can (15 oz) Pure Pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups (12 oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease muffin cups or line with paper bake cups.

Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Combine eggs and sugar in large bowl. Add pumpkin and oil; mix well. Stir in flour mixture until moistened. Stir in morsels. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool pans on wire racks for 5 minutes; remove from pans.

Heather...about those cookies...they were already gone! They were too yummy to keep around. I will make some for my stamp thing whenever I hold it.

100 Random questions...more than you will ever want to know.

Shannon posted this on her Myspace Bulletin...I thought it was pretty neat so I am doing it here!

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN A RING? Yes..a few
2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? 18 years so far
3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? Hmm, I don't remember...how sad is that?!
4. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DROPPED YOUR CELL? I don't think I ever have
5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? HAHAHA...I've been telling myself that I will start again soon.
6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON? Books and craft things (although I haven't bought anything craft related in a LONG time.
7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? Mike & Ike candy!
8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? Teeth
9. ONE FAVORITE SONG: That's a toughy...right now it would be Because of You by Kelly Clarkson
10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Utah
11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED Kentwood
12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER? T-Mobile (would love Verizon back!)
13. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Blue or Pink (lately been pink)
14. LONGEST JOB HELD: Hmm, I've been doing dental assisting for about 10 years
15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? I'm sure we do somewhere
16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE? No
17. LAST WEDDING ATTENDED? I don't remember...probably one of Michael's cousins
18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? My brother, but I'm sure he would ask for a cut of it.
19. LAST TIME YOU ATTENDED CHURCH: It's been awhile...we haven't found one we really like here.
20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT: Subway
21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE HEARD: Don't know
22. FAVORTIE FOOD: Pizza
23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? Iggy's (Shannon's never invited me to Loco Lizard for 1/2 price margaritas!!...shame on her!)
24. CAN YOU COOK? LOL...a little
25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? 2002 Toyota Camry
26. BEST KISSER? Me
27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Hmmm, possibly last week while watching a movie
28. MOST DISLIKED FOOD:Mushrooms
29. FAVORTIE TYPE OF MUSIC: I pretty much like anything
30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:The 30 lbs that I haven't lost from having Cameron!
31. THING YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: I'm a good listener
32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB? 9 hours
33. FAVORITE MOVIE? ????
34. CAN YOU SING? Sometimes I think I can
35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? Janet Jackson...many moons ago!
36. LAST KISS? Just awhile ago from Cameron
37. LAST MOVIE RENTED: Zorro and Skeleton Key
38. THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? Lipstick
39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Anywhere warm
40. DO YOU LIKE CHINESE FOOD? EEEEWWWW
41. HOW BIG IS YOUR BED? Queen
42. IS YOUR ROOM CLEAN? Yes, it was when I left it awhile ago...Cameron may have toys in it now
43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER? desktop, I don't like laptops
44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN? Don't have one
45. DO YOU SMOKE? NO
46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES ON? With
47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT? I sleep alone right now since Michael's accident...it's just more comfy.
48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK? No
49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?One time and he told me to tell my dad (also a cop) hello
50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?Pancakes
51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE? No way...no how!
52. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? Scrambled...occasionally fried
53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?No
54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: Schools answering machine
55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST? Cameron's school...they were wondering if he was there today...um, yes he was.
56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED? I don't get text messages.
57. MCDONALDS OR BURGER KING? Subway
58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS? 4
59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Jeans and a turquoise polo.
60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC OR SONG? Up on the rooftops reindeer pause
61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J SANDWICH? Strawberry
62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL? Yes
63. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM? If I have to
64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Peppermint
65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS? I like to look at them...you don't want me reading them
66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? I like to read.
67. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE SO FAR? Yes...although I wish I finished college and was a dentist.
68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY? Yeah
69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Summer
70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? Just awhile ago with Cameron
71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?6:45, I had to get ready to take Cameron to school and Michael to PT
72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER:Watching the snow fall and curling up under a warm blanket reading a book...a fireplace would be nice if I had one here.
73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?I've never had one for speeding, but I got one when I totalled my car a few years ago..I guess it was my fault
74. CATS OR DOGS?Cats
75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET? The first one I remember is Brandi
76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?Are they real?!
77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? Zip, Nada, Zilch
78. HAS SOMEONE YOU LOVE EVER DIED?yes
79. WHAT IS THE THIRD LETTER OF YOUR NAME?A
80. HOW OLD ARE YOUR PETS?Patches is 11 and Cassie is about 4.
81. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?Seattle
82. ARE YOU SICK?Yes, I have been for about a week now
83. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?No
84. IS THE BATHROOM OPEN? Not when I am in it!
85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?No
86. ARE YOU WATCHING MTV?No.
87. ARE YOU SMILING?Not while I am typing!
88. DO YOU HAVE ON EYELINER? Yes
89. DO YOU LIKE TO DANCE?Sure.
90. ARE YOU BLONDE?No
91. EVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT?Yes, two...one was my fault I was told..wait, they both were
92. DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?No, but I do have a husband so I don't think he would like it too much for me to have a boyfriend.
93. Who is your crush?I don't have one.
94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?I have to pick ONE?! Can't do it
95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT/TRUNKS?Black and red
96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST? Cameron's starts in July
97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?No
98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?Yes, it was fun, but I don't know if I would want to do it again!
99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?No
100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?Yes I am.

Wow, that took FOREVER!! I think I need it to be Wednesday to have a margarita...I don't even know where the Loco Lizard is at. No wait, I have been to the one in Park City..I think.

Today was a LONG day. Michael had PT today and he said it actually didn't hurt that bad. That's a plus! After PT I took him to two stores that his company is changing over so he could see some guys that are in town helping out with it. I will be taking him to some other ones next week when a new crew is out here. Cameron went home with one of his friends today since I woudn't be back in time to pick him up from school. Next week he gets to go with me since he will be off-track. That is SO not going to be fun for him...there is a 3 hour appt next week since he has pool therapy, physical therapy and then his follow up doctors visit with x-rays and such. The mall doesn't even open until 10 and Michael scheduled his appt at 8 am! What was he thinking!

Reading, Baking & Door-to-Door yardsales?

My mom and I went to Barnes & Noble the other day and bought Cameron some new books that he can read all by himself! He loves to read books! I am so thrilled and hope it continues because I LOVE TO READ and want him to as well. He took one of his new books to school and his teacher let him read it to the class. He was very proud and told us all about it when he got home. All the kids clapped for him...I can just imagine how shy looking he must have been when they did that. Later that night he decided to read another new book to Michael so I snapped a picture when he was reading. Too cute!


Today I decided to bake some fabulous Banana Chocolate Chip cookies! I figure that since they have fruit in them they must also be nutritious so it's okay to eat more than 1! Here is a picture of them...don't they look YUMMY?!?!? The house smells delicious. I'm thinking tomorrow morning I am going to bake some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and take some to my neighbor for breakfast.

Now onto the Door-to-Door yardsale...I was sitting in the front room munching on said cookies above when my doorbell rings. I swallow my bite and answer the door. There are two boys about 8 or 9 and they tell me that they are having a yard sale. One of them said, "My friend says there is a boy that lives here and we were wondering if you wanted to buy him a spiderman or something." Um, I have never heard of a traveling yard sale before...heck, I am thinking I should get a wagon and take some of my spare things door-to-door and see how I weather! Ok, back to the boys...I had to tell them that I was sorry, but Cameron has WAAAAY too many toys as it is, but Thanks Anyway. I hate turning kids down, but I do know that this said Spiderman thing would have quickly found its way to the trash.

I suppose I should share the YUMMY Banana Chocolate Chip cookie recipe so you can taste them for yourselves. Here it is:

2-1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas, ripened
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease cookie sheets. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together and set aside. Cream butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the mashed bananas. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

While typing this post Cameron came running in here and said, "Mom, Daniel and his friends are selling Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Can I buy some?" I told him to find out how much they were and how many he could get. He came back in and told me that they were 10¢ each. He went to his room and grabbed a dollar. I told him he could buy 10 of them for that amount. Well, he came back home with 6. Four of them were 20¢ each and he was greatly confused because I told him he could get 10 for his $1. He told me he was going to go back and ask for 4 more because he was missing them...I FINALLY got through to him that he got what he paid for. Oh what fun counting money is going to be later!

A little update

Well, I haven't updated about Michael in a while. He is improving every day. He is actually getting around on crutches these days. It's nice to see him up and about. He still can't put much weight on his leg, but it is getting easier. He still has a lot of pain, but doesn't want to take anything for it. He had his first outpatient physical therapy last week and has two more appointments set up for next week. They are going to start pool therapy too.

My mom has been here helping out since last Saturday. It's been nice having her here. She's cleaned the house and even wanted to shovel the driveway when it snowed. There isn't too much for her to do here and our TV is broken right now so she can't even just sit in the living room and veg out.

I just finished some cards for a Birthday card swap. I need to get working on a date to have my Stampin' Up! Birthday card stamp-a-stack. I have a few people who keep asking about it. Keep an eye out...I may come up with a date soon.

I have been reading again this year. So far I haven't read too many, but here is what I have read:
January
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Red Lily by Nora Roberts

February
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Child of Darkness by VC Andrews
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

I will keep you updated more and possibly add more pictures soon!