I'll let the Picture Speak For Itself!

This Picture is the Only Sun You're Going to Get in MN!

Every year at this time I whine and complain about the weather! I refuse to accept the cold. Won't do it! Not me! No Way HoSay! I guess for the next few years we need to concentrate on paying off our home so we can actually go away for 3 months of the winter! This is what I desire. It is no longer a dream but a goal. Winter is pretty for about a month and then it needs to go away. I have been home from vacation for 2 weeks and still yearn for the beautiful ocean breeze and warmth of the sun. I won't rest until my goal is acheived. Mark my words.

OurWonderful Vacation Cruise

To see more pics of our vacation, GO HERE: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11910917@N06/

Having fun in Atlanta! Halfway there!

Sunshine Megan!

Looks like Megan is getting herself in the mood for our tropical vacation! Hee Hee!

Oops!

I decided I needed a little color before going on my cruise so I did a little tanning today (or should I say a little frying). I turned the bed on with my token and then realized I forgot to put on my special lotion. So after smearing myself with the special cream that enhances your tanning the tanning bed shut itself off too early. Soooo...I get out another token (gives you 13 minutes) and put it in the machine. I don't remember a thing after that until the lights shut off on me once again. OOps! I'm fried like a tomato. It's not too bad but I didn't intend to burn myself. I fell asleep. It's so warm and cozy in there it's too easy to imagine you're on a warm beach. Silly me. Hopefully I'll get to go a couple more times before we leave next week. Work is going ok for me. I cut back to 3 days a week so I have a couple days to get things done around here. It's pretty sweet. I feel so much better about having time to get all those other tasks done I was always too tired to do. There is a lot of catch up to do so it will keep me busy for awhile. Now I just need to figure out how to manage the workload so it doesn't overwhelm me when I come in after my days off. Sheesh! Sometimes I feel like I can't win there. It's quite stressful most of the time. I hope I figure it out. Life is way too short to be stressed out that much! Hope all is well with everyone and that you're all staying warm. And to those of you in warmer climates right now, be very glad you're not here. It's been inthe single digits for several days now and windchills below zero for 2 weeks! When will it end?! AHHHHH!

Just Friggin Stupid....

Seriously...what would possess anyone in their right mind to go outside and play football when the windchills are in the -30's??!!!! OUT OF THEIR MINDS IS WHAT THEY ARE! I know that the Wisconsin Packer's take great pride in proving their tough but COME ON! It's not even pretty to watch!! Their breath freezes the second it hits the air! Someone needs to remind me why I live here when it's this cold! Family or not! I can't handle it! I will run to the car (has to be pre-heated or in the heated garage), then run to the store, then back to the car, and into the house! And all the while my eyes are watering from the wind blowing in my face & freezing my skin! There will be no dawdling for this gal! uh uh! No Way! Now just watch it be in the 30's and 40's while I'm gone and on my wonderful carribean trip. It'll be my luck! I keep telling myself that it's only a couple more months until spring. Please remind me!

Ringing in the New Year!

Well...I'm finally done at the mall and it was not a very profitable season. Seems it wasn't worth the headache & stress it caused me. I have decided that after 4 years it's time to call it quits and go through a Holiday season relaxed and happy for a change. Thanks to all who supported me in my effort. I have quite a bit to catch up on and haven't even taken down the christmas tree yet. I am still working every day at Ashdown Publishing, as I was doing before, and not able to get out of there when I would like to. Sooo much to do. We are hiring another person to help out so I'm hoping this will help relieve the stress we are all feeling. I have started working out again and trying to eat better too! All is going well and I'm feeling better except for the stress of work. But the exercise helps. Tomorrow I will switch my focus to Megan and my criuise coming up Feb 1st. I just received a packet in the mail before Christmas and looked at it briefly before I realized all the preparation we must do before we actually embark on this vacation. So this is my new focus tomorrow. Then when it's all done I can relax. (But you all know I won't, don't cha?) There is always something else to do. I will try to blog a little more frequently to keep you updated. I know you can hardly wait. Ha! Have a good weekend everyone!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I would love to have a holiday greeting that surpasses the wonderful imagination and creation of my favorite son, Jamey, but that is just not possible. For those of you interested, go to www.sevnthsin.blogspot.com and check out his Christmas greeting to all his clients,family, and friends. It's absolutely the funniest thing! All of his employees are good sports when it comes to having a little fun at work. Frankly, I don't know how they ever have time to work with all the fun they have. Hey Jamey! Do you need any more help? I was thinking how much fun it would be to work for you! Wonder if they know how lucky they are!
As for me...the mall shoppers are kicking it into high gear and things are flying! We have a clearance sale going now to clear the shelves. Getting there, but we have much more to go! Come and visit me and I'll give you great deals! Gourmet foods always make great gifts! I'm hoping the weekend weather holds out. The prediction of snow is a little concerning. It could make or break the season so pray for fair weather.
Kids are coming home for Christmas and I can't wait! I haven't seen Jamey or Megan in nearly a month and I'm going through withdrawal! We need to reconnect and I need to have time to spend with them. Please travel safely to make it home!
I love you all! No time to do Christmas cards this year but just know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers!

God Bless You All!

I'm Ok...You're OK

I'm too tired to think straight these days. I've hardly had any time at home so I haven't updated in awhile. Just want you to know I'm ok and I hope you are all ok too! I haven't heard from many of you in awhile. I made it through the 2 weeks Rick was gone. I was very lonely. Didn't spend much time at home except to sleep. Got the furnace fixed when it broke down, handled the many employee issues I've been experiencing, and putting in some very stressful hours at my Ashdown Publishing job too. All on my own. Quite proud of myself actually, but overly exhausted too! Thanks for those of you who checked in on me (you know who you are). I know you were all worried about the boys sinking in the Antarctic Ocean but we're all relieved to have them home safe and sound. For those of you who wish to view some of Jamey's pictures go to Jamey's link: http://flickr.com/photos/sevnthsin/sets/72157603222579419/

Wish me luck at the Mall!

I'm there every weekend so you're welcome to stop in (especially if you're buying!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I REALLY MISS YOU!

To the End of the Earth and Back!

I guess insanity runs in the family as these two are proving with their scheduled journey to Antartica! They leave on Thursday and will return - God Willing - 2 weeks later on November 29th. I hope they get to March with the Penguins just to make the trip worthwhile. Have a good trip you two! We'll pray for you! We love you!

This is what you get when you mix a little too much Candy Corn Soda with Neices and Nephews on a Sunday afternoon....

Cold and Wet...

Abigail does not seem to mind the cold and wet weather. I guess she thinks she's got a pretty nice mattress for a nap. Oh Abby...you're such a strange kitty!

"You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine"

I wanted to post a picture of my lovely daughter for her 24th birthday ...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEETIE PIE, MEGGIE LOO HOO! Enjoy the day you were born just 24 years ago. The world is a better place because you're in it!! I love you to the MOON!!

Busy Weekends

So Rick and I went up to Minneapolis on Saturday and spent the day and evening with the kids. Megan and I got to go shopping while Rick and Jamey finished a window replacement project they started last weekend. Then we all hooked up again, including Kate, her 2 sisters, and her mom around 8:00pm at Jamey's house. Fun was had by all. It was really great to meet Kate's sister Jodi from Michigan. My VERY SPECIAL son actually surprised Kate, her mom, and her younger sister who is getting married in December. He called Jodi (Kate's oldest sister) and asked her if she was free for the weekend and if she could come to Minnesota to spend the day wedding planning/shopping with her sisters and mom! So he flew her in for the weekend! What a surprise!! They had a blast and I can't even tell you how many points Jamey earned for that little surprise! I can only hope my daughter can find someone just as special for her! Rick and I left for home about 9:30. I actually fell asleep in the car on the way home...I NEVER do that! Sunday was spent working and preparing for my holiday kiosk in the mall. I am all about "all work and no play" these days. There isn't enough time to get it all done! Uffdah! I even enlisted Rick to help me tonight (Monday) and we worked until I was exhausted. I'm only about 1/3 done. I found out I have to go to Philadelphia the first weekend in November for work too! I won't be there for my first Expo with my new product! I'll have to hire someone to work it for me! Anyone interested? Lemme know! Ok...I'm exhausted and now need to get myself to bed so I can go to work and slave another day. Uuugh! With any luck my boss will hire some more people so we can actually get things done around there and not run around like chicken's with their head's cut off! Icky...that's not a nice picture! Sorry...it's just how I feel most days. But anyhooo! I hope you all have a nice week. Hugs!

A Surprise at Work!

My beautiful husband hand delivered these lovely flowers. Or was it my lovely husband who hand delivered these beautiful flowers? My Anniversary surprise. Lovely!

Has Anyone Told You?

If you do nothing else today...do this....copy & paste in your browser:
http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?lVlVzS5tMyOPnFAslnoaHg

http://www.rekindering.com/peace/attheheartofpeace.html

September 21st, Join in a National Day of Peace God Bless us All!

Oh my dearest....Happy 27th Anniversary!

OK..please email me!

I am frustrated! Our local internet provider decided that it would be a lovely idea to re-work their email system. Yes...I agree. It needed to be updated badly, however, they neglected to inform anyone what they were doing and proceeded to wipe out our entire address book! I have no addresses! None! ZIPPO! THANK YOU KINDLY K-M TEL!! You are so customer friendly!!!! NOT!! When I emailed them an inquiry guess what I got for a response?!! None! ZIPPO! After paying them $100/month for our service this is what we get! In an age when customer service makes a difference in customer sales, I guess they just don't care if I'm a satisfied customer or not. They have better things to do with their time than listen to some weepy customer complaining because she cannot email any of the people she loves. Thank you K-M TEL! I certainly feel appreciated for supporting your LAME-O Service Reps and Technicians!
P.S. Please email me so I can save your addresses again. Don't know why...they'll probably get deleted next week anyway. Sheesh!