Rockin' My New Boots

When one stumbles upon the most perfect pair of boots.....they must share. I ordered these bad boys yesterday while being stuck in the house. I cannot wait to wear them....maybe they will show up during our girl's trip to Hotlanta in a couple of months. Whoo hoo. Hopefully I won't kill myself with that 3 1/2 inch heel. Don't drink and walk!

I Finally Get To Stop

After working over 142 hours in three weeks, I finally get to stop, reflect and actual post something on my blog. How interesting it will be will depend on who reads it I suppose. 75% of this past weekend was taken from me thanks to a continuing education class I had the pleasure of attending for two entire days. I learned a lot and I am glad I went but my weekend was stolen. I have never understood why they structure continuing education programs for therapists the way they do. Most physical therapist are very high energy and extremely active people who are not used to sitting around all day. That is why I question the teaching method of us sitting ALL DAY and listening to someone speak. Oh well, it is over and I survived without falling asleep.

I decided a well deserved three day weekend was in order to make up for last weekend. I am currently sitting on the couch, watching the Price is Right, blogging, drinking a large cup of coffee and trying to organize a movie gathering at 1:30 with several of my girlfriends and their children. This of course is barring any bad weather. The weather peeps cannot seem to make up their collective minds on the outcome of this weather system. One minute I hear ice, next just rain, next ice and snow, next only expect 3 inches on the plateau, and lastly expect 8-9 inches on the plateau. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the latter. We bought a really nice pair of Merrell snow boots for Michael yesterday and poor little Marshall has hand me downs....AND...we bought new sleds yesterday. Ready, Set, Sled.........
Oh, Michael started his guitar lessons this week. Learned two chords...A and D, practices all the time without prompting, and is even branching out a little on his own. I am so excited for him and I hope this momentum keeps up. HAPPY FRIDAY!

1. Wouldn't it be easy if we could fold up our cars into a briefcase like the Jetson's.

2. I am hoping this year will be better than ever!

3. I love the taste of ice cold milk with some fresh baked cookies.

4. My boys always want to 'play fight' in the living room.

5. The first thing we're going to do is build the largest snowman in the neighborhood!

6. Did it ever occur to you that it could be turned off and drip at the same time... drip, drip, drip; I used a Craftsman model 1019 Laboratory edition, signature series torque wrench. The kind used by Cal Tech High Energy physicists, and NASA engineers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Inglorious Bastards, tomorrow my plans include building snowmen of various sizes and drinking hot chocolate and Sunday, I want to hopefully not be cursing the snow because of cabin fever!

Friday Fill Ins

Just when you think you have had one of the busiest weeks of your life, you have an even busier one. Think of the one armed paper hanger in a coat factory thing! Anyway, after working almost 40 hours this week already....I now have the honor of sitting in a continuing education class for 10 hours today in Murfreesboro. It will be worth it and I will learn a lot but with my ADD, classes and I do not get along well. I will fill in my Friday thingie later because she doesn't have the new one posted yet. Oh, did I mention the continuing ed also carries into Saturday for 7 hours....I am so lucky!

1. You have a chance to change to the way people view kindness and love for humanity.

2. I wish it was Friday and I did not have a class to take right now!

3. There is a reason for everything blah blah blah!

4. Charge now and pay later..way later!

5. It's time to send a lot of good vibes to New Orleans but focused on the Vikings.

6. Our future plans are up in the air but I kind of like it that way.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting my brain into neutral after sitting in class all day, tomorrow my plans include seven more hours of class time getting home as fast as I can and Sunday, I want to watch the Vikings play their best game ever! (said with fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed)

Please Let The Excitement Last

Just a quick note to say Michael's new guitar arrived in the mail today. He was sooo excited as he grabbed it from my hands but not before he asked "Is it heavy?" WOW it is obvious my child needs some sort of introduction to music arts and and the instruments involved. He will start lessons next week. Let us hope the excitement is sustained and this becomes something he wants to do without our prodding.

Only Two More

Because my husband is from Minnesota we are followers of the Vikings football team. This has been one of their best seasons so far. Brett Favre has stepped up to the plate and led this team deep into the playoffs. However, we are doing what most Minnesotans are doing......holding our breath and peeking out with squinted eyes. What does that mean, you ask. It means we have all seen this before. The Vikings coming out of the gate like a greyhound after fake rabbit then fizzle out like water on a fire. They have never one a Superbowl....NEVER! Attended, Yes....Won, NO!
We are so hoping this is their year. After seeing them spank the Cowboys like a red-headed stepchild, I am worried they may get cocky. I have a feeling the Saints are going to be a team to reckon with. I am such a sore loser that I probably shouldn't even watch it. If the Vikings are losing and playing like crap, I am going to take my blood pressure. I bet it will be high. Come on Vikings, you only have TWO MORE TO WIN!

Friday Fill Ins

1. The lesson I learned yesterday was best laid plans will ultimately get changed.

2. Any place that has food and fun is where friends and family meet.

3. All these years and I still don't have the answers to all the whys.

4. Everyone was so relieved when I arrived.

5. The truth is I stopped seeking the answers to all the whys a long time ago.

6. Feeling the warm sun on my face after all the cold weather is what I remember most from that day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking a nice bubble bath while sipping hot chocolate, tomorrow my plans include spending the day with my mom and Sunday, I want to chill out!

My Exciting Pre-Bunco Evening

Tonight was my first night with my new Bunco Group. I only knew the host and I brought one of my friends. I am not real keen on going into a group of unknowns (i.e. people) but that is yet another thing about myself I am trying to overcome. So off I go, late as usual, to pick up my friend and head to Cerina's house. Not the famous tennis player for those of you who may have been wondering.
Anyway, the roads in Algood are relatively slippery with lots of surprise curves covered in ice. I succeeded in impressing myself with my driving prowess.....until I pulled in to Mandi's driveway. No one mentioned anything about the solid sheet of ICE which covered it. I was slipping around like Blades of Glory! I remembered Mike telling me to not pump anti-lock braces so I gently pressed the brake......I kept sliding. So here I am heading toward Mikeal's (Mandi's husband) Ford truck with nothing in the world on my side except momentum which at this particular point in my life...I wish would vacate the premises. Did I mention I was moving at maybe 1 mile per hour? Seemed like the whole world was moving in slow motion...wait...that was me. I finally stopped sideways in their driveway about 2 feet from his truck. Whew, that was a close one. I put the Tahoe in park and applied the emergency brake (habit for me to do). I gingerly yet carefully stepped out of the vehicle and headed toward the front door. Out of nowhere my car was spontaneously possessed with the spirit of "Christine"...you know...the crazy black Stephen King car....and proceeded a perilous slide towards the truck. I helplessly watched and started to count collision deductibles in my mind. I did have an inkling to jump back in the vehicle like some kind of super hero and make an attempt to stop it but that was stupid and I cannot believe I actually entertained the thought. Anywho, my truck graciously stopped about 2 mm prior to hitting his truck. That was almost too much excitement for me to stand. Thank goodness I did not do well playing Bunco.....that would have been it for me. I an easily and highly excitable.

What Men Do When The Women Aren't Home

Unfortunately, the weather does not control home health. Even when it snows, the patients have to be seen. The pictures to follow are an example of what men do after the women are gone. I guess it was a blessing I was not a witness to this event seeing as I would have been yelling 'be careful', 'slow down', 'are you guys too cold' the entire time they were out there. The kids had a great time seeing as the road in our neighborhood was a virtual skating rink. I am guessing all the boys (including the biggest one driving the four-wheeler...AKA my husband) had a large time. By the way, yes there is a child riding a snow shovel. We didn't have enough sledding devices and since the shovel was made from the same material as the snow saucer...well...you figure it out.

Icy Friday Fill Ins

1. There are places which are warm right now and that is where I would love to be at this exact moment.

2. Warm front, please blow those clouds away.

3. Standing in the swirling snow, eyes gazed up to the sky, and catching snowflakes with my tongue.

4. I hear Marshall rustling around in the bed, oh boy. let my crazy day begin.

5. He went out tiger hunting and we could only find lions and bears.

6. I have to concentrate on concentrating to keep my mind from wandering .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making and eating a big pot of chili and grilled cheese sandwiches made with muenster, tomorrow my plans include a futile effort to stay warm and read a lot and Sunday, I want to frankly I have no idea!

I Need A Remedy

I need a remedy, but what is having me......you see!

I definitely need a remedy....starting my resolution without looking back has me suffering. I really, really, really want to know what it would feel like to be 130 pounds again and I only need to lose 7 in order to reach that goal. In an attempt to reach this goal as quickly as possible I have been running every day. But, as usual for me I go all out when I start something instead of easing in to it which translated means.....instead of running 1/2 mile for a few days then a mile for a few days, etc.... I jump right out there and start with 2 1/2 miles a day for the past few days. One half of a mile would seem hardly worth the trouble of lacing up my running shoes...I needed to make it worth my while. I have succeeded....I am currently so sore from my ankles to my hips I am unable to walk correctly. I fake it in the office and make a futile attempt at a normal gait pattern so people won't ask questions but walking up and especially down steps..FORGET IT. It is comical at best with the most awesome sound effects one has ever heard!

In an attempt to relieve my screaming muscles, I filled the jacuzzi up with super duper hot water, submerged myself and turned all 10 jets to ultra, maximum, could move an elephant strength. Felt good while I was in there but within 5 minutes of drying off....I could hear my body talk, if you know what I mean.
The stupid thing is I have full intentions of running 2.5 miles today, too. Strangely, there is not one iota of pain or soreness when I am actually in the act of running AND I feel if I keep going, I will eventually work the soreness out.....or my legs may fall off.....only time will tell.

Friday Fill Ins

1. Last night we had some couples over for New Year's Eve. Had a lot of fun playing pool and Rock Band. Finally a real band!

2. I really want to lose 8 pounds this year.

3. The funniest thing is reflecting on the past year and all the things that have happened.

4. What a poignant question.......so where do we go from here?

5. He said left; she said right.

6. Who knows what is waiting for us in the future and it's up to us to find it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to a late night movie with my mom to see 'It's Complicated' again (so funny) tomorrow my plans include sticking to my resolution and exercising and entertaining my Dad, brothers, sister in laws and their children at the house and Sunday, I want to hang out at church for a while and then chill at home in front of the fire with a big ass cup of coffee!