Jacob's Trip to Outerspace!

Today at pre-school Jacob's class took a trip in to outerspace and even landed on the moon! They collected moon dust and rocks, left an American flag there, and then headed back home! We (or should I say, Rob) made a space helmet for Jacob and he just loved it! I must say...it was quite a space helmet! The kids had a great time!

AHHHHHHHH...Relaxation!

Yesterday while Jacob spent some time with my mom & dad, I went to Metro Business College for a MASSAGE. It was so relaxing...I hadn't had one since my brother & sister-in-law got married a couple of years ago. The students at the school are in the midst of doing their clinicals and they charge only $20 for a full hour. YES, you read that right...$20! There are still openings in February so if you get the chance...go treat yourself! (Julie...I hope you enjoy yours today!)

Wow...what an unusual weather day yesterday. Rob was working over in Cape and from the time he left there until he got home the temperature had dropped like 20 degrees. The boys & I were headed to Main Street Fitness so that Matthew could go to his last Kids Kick class...it started hailing. We turned back around and headed home and went in the basement! About 10 minutes later it was sun-shining! By that time Rob had gotten home and he and Jacob headed out to a buddies house to finish welding on a trailer that Rob is building. I took Matthew to class...he didn't care that we were a bit late. While Matthew was in class, I went to St. Paul to enroll Jacob for Pre-Kindergarten next year. He's excited...he thinks he's starting this week!

After Matthew was finished with class, we did homework, ate, and then headed to soccer camp at the junior high school. One of his best friends was there and they had a great time. The camp was only last night and then this Thursday night.

Forgot to mention that Monday evening I hosted a crop here at our house. Thanks, girls, for a great time!

It's TIME...

for a little update of what's been happening around here! Last Thursday we took the boys to their first Southeast Missouri State Basketball game and they LOVED it. It was their mascot, Rowdy's, birthday party! SEMO fell behind by almost 20 points but then brought it back to within 4, I think. It sure did bring back some memories from my college days.

Friday was Romp-n-Stomp for Jacob. He really loves going and there is pretty much a smile on his face the entire time. So unlike Matthew when he was able to go...I, for the most part, had to do every thing with him! Uniqueness is awesome.

Friday evening was a little bit of pampering time for me. I went to a spa party and had a fabulously relaxing time! Can't wait for my new products to come in.

Saturday Rob spent the day making deer sausage, jerky, ground deer, etc. with some buddies so I took the boys and headed over to Cape. First stop was the Osage garage sale...Matthew & Jacob both LOVE going. I gave them each $2 to spend. Jacob found a really cool guy with a motorcycle. Matthew found a little backpack full of little Indians, space people, teepees, horses, etc. After that we headed to my Mom & Dad's for lunch...mmmmmm....mmmmmmm...good. After that I took the boys to the university's new swimming center. We had fun swimming but the water was pretty cold...we lasted about 2 hours. The hot tub was nice though!

Sunday we headed to church...it was our turn to teach the 3's...we had an awesome class. Lunch at El Torerro's...AWANA at 4:00 for Rob & the boys...I headed to Pizza Pro to get the W-2's done.

That's about it in a nutshell! Hope you hav a GREAT week!

A Restful, Uneventful Night.

Compared to my last sleep study, the one last night was a breeze. For several reasons I felt last night was 10 times better than before! Number one, I knew what to expect. Number 2, the respiratory therapist that was hooking me all up was a FEMALE and she wasn't as "rough" as the one before. Number 3, I was calmer. And the most likely reason that last night went so well...I took an ambien pill! The House Supervisor, who was in traning, came, along with someone else, to administer the pill. In total, I had 3 people watch me as I took my pill. I didn't care...I knew I would be in la la land soon. And sure enough...slept the entire night and was wakened at 6:00 am to get up. GREAT EXPERIENCE. There were no sleep abstructions which is great because that is what my doctor was trying to rule out. I do snore, quite a bit, actually, and I have some slight leg movements during my sleep. Other than that I don't have too much to say! I follow up with my doctor in a couple of weeks to discuss. The new sleep lab at Southeast is AWESOME.

I got home in time to take Matthew to school since Rob ended up having to go in to work today. He was off yesterday. Jacob spent the night with my mom & dad so I'll be picking him up after my oil change today. He was still sleeping when I called earlier.

Headed upstairs for a nice warm cup of coffee....brrrrr, it's cold outside.
Have a Great Day!

Snow Trivia & Misc.

What is the largest snowflake ever measured?

Answer:
The largest snowflake ever recorded, according to the Guinness World Records, was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick. A man named Matt Coleman observed the snowflake in 1887 at Fort Keogh, Montana, and said the snowflake was "larger than milk pans".


Can you tell I'm thinking SNOW! If it's going to be cold like this we might as well just get a little snow to go with it! Maybe before winter is over it will happen...Matthew & Jacob (and I'm SURE all of the other kids out there!) would like to see a little snow.

We have a nice little fire going in the stove right now and it is so cozy. Rob & Matthew went out to a friend's house today to make deer sausage and they brought some wood home for the stove. Thank goodness...our heater seemed to run all day. Jacob and I stayed home and did puzzles, played video games, and played Chess & Checkers (all by HIS rules, of course!). A nice little nap finished off the afternoon.

Happy Sunday to all and Enjoy the Cold Weather!

Good Friday Morning!

Hope this nice cold morning finds you well rested and looking forward to the weekend! We just got back from taking Matthew to school and boy is it ever cold! I LOVE it. We've got a busy day ahead of us...but a fun one. We're headed to Walmart shortly to buy what I need to make 8-can vegetable soup...super easy. After that we're headed to Romp-n-Stomp...Jacob has been SO looking forward to going. Matthew started a "kids kick" class at Main Street Fitness last week and Jacob really wanted to go so I told him we could start going to Romp-n-Stomp again. This morning when Rob went in to give Jacob a hug & kiss, Jacob said "Daddy, today is Romp-n-Stomp day!" So cute...normally he would have still been asleep! After Romp-n-Stomp we're headed back home so that I can finish, yes, FINISH, my layouts/cards for the swap tonight at Crazy Croppers. For those of you that are getting one, YES, they will be done! Nothing like working under pressure! I'm posting a completed layout...I think they turned out nice. Tonight, like I said, is Crazy Croppers. We're having supper there...we're bringing soup, chicken salad, dessert, etc. etc. Should be very yummy! Have a GREAT Friday everyone!

50 Random Questions

50 Random Questions

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?

In the van taking Matthew to school.

2. Who are you in love with?

Rob and our boys.

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?

No.

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

Yes...one of the old cabinets from our kitchen is down in our basement. It has pink countertops.

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?

Saturday - went to Bath & Body Works & Old Navy

6. Are you wearing socks right now?

No.

7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?

Yes - my van.

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?

Sunday, the 30th of December...we went to St. Louis.

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?

No.

10. Are you hot?

No.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?

Coffee.

12. What are you wearing right now?

Comfy clothes (as Jacob would say!)

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?

Both.

14. Last food that you ate?

Toast.

15. Where were you last week at this time?

Too long ago to remember...oh, I think at the doctor.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?

Yes...coats & fleece pullovers for the boys.

17. When is the last time you ran?

Me...run????

18. What's the last sporting event you watched?

Mizzou football game on New Year's Day.

19. What is your favorite animal?

Cats, of course...dogs run a close second.

20. Your dream vacation?

Right now, probably anywhere with my family.

21. Last person's house you were in?

I think my mom & dad's house.

22. Worst injury you've ever had?

When I was very little I was running in my socks across the dining room floor and I slid right in to a corner of a cabinet...I had to get stitches.

23. Have you been in love?

Yes...currently.

24. Do you miss anyone right now?

My litte niece, Maria...she is such a sweetie...we don't get to see her nearly enough.

25. Last play you saw?

Wicked...is that considered a play or a musical?

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?

Don't know.

27. What are your plans for tonight?

Driving out to the farm with Rob to load hay for a "hay customer".

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?

No one...I've never done it.

29. Next trip you are going to take?

Paducah hopefully in May...Probably Destin, FL in June.

30. Ever go to camp?

No.

31. Were you an honor roll student in school?

Yes.

32. What do you want to know about the future?

IF I could know about the future I would want to know that our boys will be happy, healthy & be followers of Christ.

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?

No.

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?

Just went last Wednesday.

35. Where is your best friend?

I don't really have a "best" friend...just lots of close friends.

36. How is your best friend?

All of my friends are well!

37. Do you have a tan?

No.

38. What are you listening to right now?

The dishwasher.

39. Do you collect anything?

Not really, although I really like snowmen & stars.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?

Don't know.

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?

Years ago on my way to church when I was still playing the organ in Friedheim...I didn't get a ticket.

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?

Can't remember.

43. What does your last text message say?

It was from some online auction service that I didn't request to be a member of...I am now a NON-MEMBER.

44. Do you like hot sauce?

Yes.

45. Last time you took a shower?

Yesterday morning.

46. Do you need to do laundry?

No...amazingly I'm all caught up!

47. What is your heritage?

German.

48. Are you someone's best friend?

I pray that I'm a good friend to many.

49. Are you rich?

Monetarily, No. In ways that matter, YES.

50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?

I think I was actually SLEEPING!

Amatokin

Top Ten List - Best Myspace Quizzes

Bargains, Bargains & MORE Bargains!

I spent a good part of the afternoon today at the Stamps & Scrapbooks Retreat, which was AWESOME, by the way. I was able to take 2 classes, one with Julie and the other with Nikki. In Julie's class we made some awesome Valentine treat boxes/bags and a card. In Nikki's class we made an awesome 2-page layout. I had a great time.

After that I headed over to the mall to check out some stuff at Old Navy & Bath & Body Works. OMG!!!!!!!! Don't tell Matthew & Jacob (!), but,at Old Navy, I found them each an incredible camoflage coat for next year for $10 each! And, I bought them each 2 fleece pullovers, one red and the other camoflage...for $3.50 each!!!!! These things will all be a surprise for next year! I wish I would have had more time to look, but I think I did pretty good none-the-less!

After the mall I headed out to the farm. Rob and the boys had a huge bon-fire going so we just hung around that for about an 1 1/2 hours. In JANUARY...it was great!

Headed to bed...GOOD NIGHT.

Whew...what a week!

This week has just been crazy...it's 9:04 pm and I'm ready for a little relaxation! I should have went to the spa party that I was invited too (hope you girls had a great time, Jaime!)...but I had to get up to Pizza Pro to pay bills...it was the only night this week that I could get up there! After that Rob and the boys and I went to Stooges to eat...Betsy & Cecil walked in and so we ended up eating with them. It was a relaxing night.

I found out today that my blood work that I had done yesterday morning was all normal. Definitely a relief to me! My "bad" cholesterol was a little high, but nothing to worry about. Just need to eat better...what else is new...and exercise...what else is new????

Tomorrow afternoon I get to go to 2 scrapbook classes at Stamps & Scrapbooks here in Jackson. I'm excited...I don't get to do that very often. I'm so sad though because we found out this week that Rona is closing her store. I will definitely miss going there and visiting, cropping & shopping! Rob will be hanging out with the boys and if it's good weather they'll go to the farm.

Have a great weekend!

My Head is POUNDING.......

Why is it that I can go so long without the slightest headache...and, then BOOM...I get one that pounds all day long??? It started this morning after I went to the doctor. I think that was probably the cause of it! Hadn't had a complete checkup in almost 3 years. It was time. I have blood work tomorrow, a mammogram next week, and a sleep study in late January. I KNOW...I said I would NEVER have another sleep study again! For those of you that don't know, I had one done probably 2-3 years ago, I slept a total of about 1-2 hours, when I got up in the morning I fainted and the sleep study tech had to call the house supervisor before they would release me. It was a mess. Not something I EVER wanted to do again. Well, I'm going to try it again, this time WITH sleep medication. Hopefully that will be the key. I drastically need to change my lifestyle as far as eating and exercising...I've gained about 15 pounds since last summer...it's just aweful. I've been depressed about it all day. I really wanted to go to Bible Study tonight, but I had promised Matthew I would take him to the last basketball game at St. Paul since his cousins from Trinity in Cape were playing. The sound of cheering, buzzers buzzing, etc. did nothing for my headache. Rob wanted to stay home and finish up our stairs and start painting, so I took Matthew. I'm headed to bed now...please pray for relief from my headache!

Mmmm...Mmmm...Good!

Today I tried a new cookie recipe called Oatmeal Crispies...they were delicious! Got it from this website: www.thepioneerwomancooks.com
Thanks for posting the link on your blog, Amy! It is an awesome website with lots and lots of yummy stuff! Also, check out www.thepioneerwoman.com

Oatmeal Crispies

Mix together 1 cup shortening, 1 cup brown sugar & 1 cup sugar.

Beat 2 small eggs in separate bowl and then add 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir together and then add to the above mixture.

Stir together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt, & 1 tsp. Baking Soda. Add to above mixture.

Next, add 3 cups oats to the bowl and a nice pile of chopped pecans (if desired).

Mix all together. Form into balls, flatten slightly on cookie sheet, and bake for 10 minutes at 350.

Just Miscellaneous Stuff!

Since the boys and I had already finished watching Star Wars IV this evening before Rob got home, I felt I had a little time to blog while Rob now finishes up the movie! I've never been much of a Star Wars, Star Trek, etc. fan...until now. Matthew & Jacob have both been "in" to Star Wars for the past 6 months or so and even had a few characters to play with. Well, Betsy & Cecil Franklin had loaned us all of the movies and Rob, Matthew & Jacob just loved them. I never really sat down and watched them simply because I had this mindset that I wasn't going to like them. Well, we returned the movies, but Santa brought us the whole DVD set! So, we've been watching them and they're actually really, really good. Well, I haven't actually gotten to "hear" all of each movie, since Jacob & Matthew have to do their light saber moves throughout the movie and they get really excited!

I received some money for Christmas and I decided that I needed to buy new plates/salad plates/bowls...my sister had found a great deal on Pottery Barn for some plain white plates...just got my shipment today and I LOVE them! It was something that we really needed but I just didn't want to spend the money on...now I'm glad I did. I also purchased new silverware which was also a long time coming! Today I went thru our kitchen cabinets and cleaned out old mismatched stuff...pitched some and some will go to Goodwill. Nice feeling.

I'm also in the middle of cleaning out Jacob's room, closets, etc. My oh my...all kinds of stuff gets put in his "miscellaneous" container! I cleaned it out and pitched a bunch of stuff! Jacob is camping out with Matthew tonight in his bed so I'm going to try and finish his room up tonight.

Tomorrow I'm going to tackle my scrap area and get things ready for the crop tomorrow night at Stamps & Scrapbooks...looking forward to it!

Here Goes...My New Year's Wish List!

2008 New Year's Wish List:


1. One habit you'd like to break totally. I would really like to kick the habit of drinking sweet ice tea & Dr. Pepper and get back in to drinking water.

2. One person you'd like to get to know better. Mmmmmmmm...Thinking on this one.

3. One random act of kindness that you'd like to make a habit this year. Taking a meal or treats to someone "just because" at least once a month.

4. Something that you'd like to own by the end of 2008. Well, it's going to have to be a new computer since mine is acting really, really strange lately and I'm just sure it's going to crash any time. Also, I'm in the mood for a new camera...we'll see!

5. Something that you'd like to get rid of by the end of 2008. All of this excess fat that just seems to take up residence on my body!!!

6. One change you'd like to see in your life in 2008. Focusing my thoughts/actions/etc. on what's really important and letting go of what's not.

7. One thing you'd like to memorize in 2008. Another one I must think about.

8. Something that you'd like to improve on in 2008. My housekeeping and organizing skills!

9. Something new you'd like to learn in 2008. How to just take it easy and not worry so much about what has to be done...to just live in the moment with my kids and hubby.

10. Something you're looking forward to this year. Vacation...not sure where yet!

11. One thing you're going to make sure DOESN'T happen this year. I'm going to make sure that I don't gain the weight that I did in 2007. It made for a very cranky "me" at times!

12. One person that you want to be closer to this year. Still thinking on this one.

13. One place you want to visit this year. St. Louis Cardinal Stadium with my family.

14. One thing that you'll move from 2007's to do list to 2008's to do list. Although we have been working on this...it will continue into 2008...paying down bills and spending less on things that aren't important.

15. One old acquaintance that you'd like to reconnect with this year. Karen or Renee

Happy New Year!

Well, we made it to 2008! Rob, Matthew, Jacob & I stayed home this evening and ate yummy food, watched movies, played together...and are now headed to bed! It's 12:17 am, January 1, 2008!

I'm not much on New Year's Resolutions because it seems like in the past I would make them and not follow thru with them. I am, this year, however, going to share my "wish list" of some things that I'm going to try my best to do. I got the questions from another blog that I regularly read. Here are the questions and hopefully tomorrow (well, today...just later!) I'll post my responses! It might give you something to think about as well!

1. One habit you'd like to break totally.
2. One person you'd like to get to know better.
3. One random act of kindness that you'd like to make a habit this year.
4. Something that you'd like to own by the end of 2008.
5. Something that you'd like to get rid of by the end of 2008.
6. One change you'd like to see in your life in 2008.
7. One thing you'd like to memorize in 2008.
8. Something that you'd like to improve on in 2008.
9. Something new you'd like to learn in 2008.
10. Something you're looking forward to this year.
11. One thing you're going to make sure DOESN'T happen this year.
12. One person that you want to be closer to this year.
13. One place you want to visit this year.
14. One thing that you'll move from 2007's to do list to 2008's to do list.
15. One old acquaintance that you'd like to reconnect with this year.

Happy New Year and God's Blessings to you in 2008!