My Artist?

Matthew has litterally bugged me ALL day to open and use his new water colors. They were a gift from my mom to Matthew for finally stopping bitting his nails and sucking his thumb. So, after dinner I got out the newspaper, water and let him paint. I took some pictures and before I even got around to downloading the pictures, he was DONE! How could this be??? All I can do is laugh. I bet he is back at it before bedtime.

So today I was home addressing Christmas cards.....yes, i know it's after Christmas but in typical MILLER tradition they are still going out...just late as usual. Anyway, my co-worker friend called inviting Matthew over to see her pets. She has a talking bird, numerous fish, a little dog and turtles. Her bird, Fidget is a riot. He talks non-stop like a 3 or 4 year old. He asks for treats, does tricks......for the treats....preferibly orange tic tacs! Matthew fed the fish and turtles and came home asking for a dog. Again with more Miller tradition and he thinks I'm allergic to both dogs and cats! Thanks mom for the idea. I really am allergic to cats but not dogs........I just don't want them for my own pet. I hate the thought of the upkeep, the barking, the maintence, the BARKIN etc. So, the answer will forever be NO!!

Christmas Night

On Christmas night we went to Joe's sisters house for dinner and fun. The boys mostly played Xbox....and yes, I vetoed that gift this year at our house. Matthew played with his cousin Andrea basically non stop and had so much fun. I gave Andrea a 1000 piece bead set.......she can make bracelets and necklaces. I have always threatened to buy her the 1000 piece Barbie accessory set....if they even make it...........so when I found a 1000 piece craft set, I just couldn't resist. I am hoping to get a bracelet with my name on it :-) A good time was had by all.

Merry Christmas

Oh it was so much fun watching Matthew open his presents. It really was worth the hours of wrapping presents to see his expressions. I tried to capture them in some pictures but I didn't do a great job. I think his excitement over his new crayons and markers were just priceless! Joe's brother sent Matthew two huge airplanes that I think Joe has played with the most but he won't admit to it!

Yesterday was Matthew's Christmas party at school. It was a party the teachers did for the kids so parents weren't invited. I wasn't too broken hearted as my last party I was involved in was like a 3 ringed circus during the planning stages. Anyway.....I told Matthew he had to look "nice" .....and his reply......"you mean I have to look handsome?" YEP! I have apparently told him at some point that when he's dressed up he looks handsome. Once we got that straightened out, he put on a nice shirt. Unless there is a party or it's picture day, he doesn't like to wear a nice shirt.........which is basically anything with buttons! I won yesterday!

I wrapped several gifts yesterday and they are under the tree. I may have done that too early as Matthew is begging to open just one. However, his sneaky mom didn't wrap any of his gifts yet! He has to wait for Santa to come. I love seeing his excitement this time of year. He made a list for Santa at school and if I don't feel like hitting the mall today.....we will just have to email it to Santa. I have totally proctastinated as usual and still have some last minute things to get. I just can't NOT shop on Christmas Eve in memory of my dad....and since I work, I may not have much to choose from. Doesn't everything close early???? I may have to settle for a hot chocolate at QT :-)

It has literally rained all day. I am so glad it wasn't snow as I still have so much to do before Christmas. Matthew just loves to tell me how many days are left. He asks EVERYDAY for a box of new Crayons with the built in sharpener on the back. Of course I've bought it but if he asks me one more time I'm going to take it back to Target! He is just SOOO excited and I know next year his requests will be more pricey than just Crayons. I know there is an Xbox in my future someday.

So, today I've decided I have listened to Christmas music toooooo much and it was time to go back to Rascal Flatts. They actually have one Christmas song that I did get on iTunes for my iPod and I enjoyed it loudly all afternoon! If only I could put it here for you all to enjoy.

My 100th Post

WOW! I can't believe it's my 100th post. I didn't think I had that much stuff to write about. So, in honor of this momentous occasion, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite places......the Kansas City Plaza. I know I did just post about this not too long ago but my friend Heidi, just sent me another picture that I wanted to share. I hope you enjoy. There is seriously something magical about the plaza that has to be experienced to understand.

I am feeling SOOOO much better. My headache is gone and I'm back to my usual self. After work last night I went to a work party. It was basically just the girls I work with on the weekend and it was really fun. I totally forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures. My hair looks horrible as I totally need a hair cut. I don't know why I didn't make an appointment before Joe went back to work.....which by the way is tomorrow! Tonight was a major accomplishment: balancing to the penny the check book. I know this isn't a habit of everyone but I absolutely HAVE to totally balance. I don't like to write anymore checks until I hit perfection. Yes, I know....I'm weird! The picture is actually proof that I do, sometimes actually cook. Matthew loves to help. Tonight he set the table....we mostly use paper plates just for this reason!! I think we might do some chocolate chip cookies this week too.

The Friday Panic and the Saturday Migraine

The Friday Panic:

In usual fashion I freak out on Friday's. I realize that I have to go to work the next day and I get in litterally a panic mode trying to get a week's worth of stuff done in one day. You would think I would be more organized! I think it's the stress of the holidays as well that has sort of, at times, turned me into a basket case. I haven't done anything crazy like forget my purse anywhere but I have almost locked my keys in the car a couple of times this week. I think it is litterally MILLER family tradition to procrastinate. I have very fond memories of my dad this time of year too. We went shopping EVERY Christmas Eve looking for stuff for my mom. Now, she had a list and often pictures of stuff she had seen in a Famous Barr ad. But, dad and I had waited until the very last minute and so that stuff was all gone and picked over....so, we had to "settle" for stuff she didn't want and then ultimately returned. I remember one year she wanted some kind of a gown and we bought her this UGLY green robe that was way tooooo long. I believe she STILL has it today! Ah, something she didn't actually return or exchange. Perhaps that is where I get that from....oh surely not. My dad loved Old Spice cologne too. I still like to occasionally find a bottle at the store and pick it up for old times sake. I remember one year I bought him some Polo. Oh he was really excited about that and just loved it. My mom got a phone call from his secretary asking her to politely encourage my dad not to use quite so much of it. That still makes me laugh.....and yes, tear up a bit too! I sure do wish he was here to enjoy Matthew. I totally get my sensative side from him. He used to cry watching the Miss America pagent. He'd be happy for the one that won and the one's that didn't. Okay, next subject.......way too sappy and teary. I'll never finish this blog!

So, why am I blogging at 5pm in the afternoon on a Saturday? Well, around 1030 at work I was hit with a migraine and I just couldn't get it under control. I finally sent almost all of my patients home, as did a couple other nurses so I was able to go home. After some darkness and quiet, I'm finally feeling better. I don't know what has sparked the return of the migraines......stress? So, if you are wondering where the annual Christmas card, letter and picture are......well, they are still in my head. This too leads to that lovely panic feeling. Just ask Joe what happened the Christmas of 2001. Matthew was almost one and I was FAT. We were at the Sears photo studio, all dressed up in cheesy coordinated outfits and I freaked out when I saw my face on the screen. I mean FREAKED out. Here I am sweating bullets and bawling! Next thing you know the picture was just of Matthew. The next year, still feeling fat I decided that getting my hair done, wear a black sweater for the p icture and that would be the turning point. Nope. Hated my 10 chins and it was I believe........just Matthew again. At one point I realized I needed to ditch the turtlenecks and maybe that would help. I can laugh at it now but lets just say the photographer at Sears looked like he was about to call for back up! I'm still working on something for this year. We'll see what next week brings. Joe starts his job on Tuesday and Wed and Thurs are early release days and then no school starting on Friday until next year.

I had to laugh at Matthew the other night. I heard all of this noise long after he should have been asleep. So, I sneaked in.......trying to find out what he was playing with and he said.....but mom, I'm just reading my Bible. Sure enough, he was sitting on the floor, by the light of his optical Christmas tree, reading a little Bible book. Now, how do you scold him for that?

I finally have some good news on Joe's job hunt. He found one! YEAH. He will be working at Wadell & Reed........starting on December 19th. It has been a stressful journey to say the least.

Really not too much to blog about. Today Matthew brought home a test from last week and he did really well. So, of course he is again asking for new crayons and yes, he mentioned his markers in his prayer tonight. It just makes me laugh. I still have shopping left and will have to get it done soon. I can't believe it's so close to Christmas. I really love this time of year. Not just for the shopping but for the spirit of the season. People are in better moods and honestly, I love the decorations. I love my Christmas trees and all of the greenery. When it gets dark, I find it fun to just sit in the kitchen or family room, listen to a little Michael W. Smith and enjoy the quietness of the moment. Then reality hits and I realize there a bills to pay, laundry to fold and don't get me started on the Christmas cards! Is there anyway to get the 3 of us in a good mood, at the same time for a picture??????

Retail Therapy

It is always a good day when I get to go shopping. One of my favorite places is the Plaza. There is just something almost magical. There is litterally something for everyone with price ranges from the affordable to the crazy escentric. Did you know there is a panel tv for 20K? But what is a tv like that without the 40K sound system. One of my fantasy wishes for the future is a premium down pillow. Now, remember I said fantasy.......they are at least $200 but will last a lifetime. You can go and have the down replaced for the lifetime you own the pillow. The local show called Kansas City Live did a segment on this store which is how I know so much. The Plaza also has several great places to eat. My favorite is the Cheesecake Factory. We all know what a sweet tooth I have!! Anyway, there is something special about walking around the Plaza. Maybe it's the company or the lights on during the hollidays. It is a special place. I am not sure I would find it enchanting on Thanksgiving night when a TON of people line the Plaza streets to watch them being turned on. But it would be fun to watch it from a hotel room nearby!

Back to shopping.......today I did hit the local mall. I found a pair of jeans that fit......I like the low rise......but not too low, a medium or dark wash and not too long. How hard is that? I compare every pair I try on to my favorite. I found this possible "keeper" at the Buckle. I have to admit I love a store that will help you with the clothes and BRING you more. This poor guy had his hands full with me. I wasn't leaving until I was satisfied. Gosh, perhaps I see why I've been called High Maintence in the past. HMMMMM.....So, the Christmas shopping continues. It was 10% off Tuesday at the Gap too. I found a couple of shirts for Matthew ........smoozed with the store manager and got her to give me a lower price on a shirt. It was supposed to be 2/30 but the selection was low so I got one for 15. Oh, the savvy shopper strikes again.

I will close with the prayer Matthew said tonight at dinner. It went something like this....."Bless God, Jesus and my markers. God is great, God is good......" Yes, he got new markers yesterday and has been so excited. They are 16 small markers in various colors. He has been asking me for them for a couple of weeks and I had to get my prescription last night at Target.......Joe was at the KU basketball game so, we got them and it's been hours of entertainment. He just couldn't wait until Christmas! AND..........we STILL have snow on the ground. It melted some today but there is still 4 inches at least in the front and back yard!

BOB SEGER

Last night I went to the Bob Seger concert. Yes, you read that right. I had an AWESOME time. It was probably my first concert that I didn't stand for a majority of the time but it was a blast. I'm a pretty new fan and couldn't tell you if Bob is as good as he was in his prime.....he is 60 afterall! His alto saxaphone player was absolutely incredible. If you are reading the blog and are not hearing Christmas music, it is probably Bob. The opening act was Eric Church. I only knew a couple of his songs but he was pretty decent. Sometimes you have to sit through the opening act to get through to the good stuff. As usual when I'm at a concert it is fun to people watch. I would say this was a different crowd than the Rascal Flatts concert. I'm sure the average age was in their 50's and it wasn't roudy. It is also an indoor venue which makes it better too. It was such an enjoyble experience!! I got about 4 hours of sleep before coming back to work today for another 12 hour shift but it was worth it.

READING and REFLECTIONS

Tonight Matthew didn't want us to read him a bedtime story. Instead, Matthew read to us. He read "It's Not Easy Being Big". I was so totally impressed and had a tear in my eyes. I was reminded of how I was so excited to read a book by myself when I was his age. I also reflected on how my worries of Matthew are slowly subsiding. I'll never forget the meeting/evaluation when we were told he was showing signs of Autism. Honestly, that was the worst day of my life. I didn't eat for days after that. He was about 2 and a half and I felt that I had failed miserably as a mother and that maybe something was seriously wrong with my son. I figured it must have been the beer lemonade I drank at a party before I knew I was pregnant!!! So, we got Matthew into speech therapy.....where I met a dear friend, Shannon.....his in home speech therapist. When he turned 3 we started school at the Early Childhood Center. The combination of the two really turned things around. Now, almost 4 years later, Matthew is much better behaved........I can actually take him to a store and there is no meltdowns.....well, rarely and few and far between. He is reading, doing math and just LOVES school. He is such a joy and I'm so lucky to have such a fun and good son. Tonight he told me I was his favorite. I know it's wrong but I totally loved hearing it.

SNOW--The Aftermath

Wow! We had at least 10 inches of snow last night. So, day two in a row of no school and a morning filled with trying to find the driveway! I was at a friends house yesterday afternoon and didn't even notice the start of the snow. I guess it had a 2 hour jump on me and by the time I started to leave, it was super slick and yes, I totally chickend out. So, I stayed the night. The slumber party was really fun and I was glad not to be stuck out in the snow. Yes, I have 4 wheel drive but I wasn't interested in giving it a test drive! I think my panic and fear of driving in the snow stems back to about 10 years ago when I was working the 11am to 11pm shift at the hospital. The Chiefs were in some kind of play off game and in my opinion, all of the snow removal crews where out somewhere watching the game and no doing their job. So, me and the purple Honda Civic got stuck on this massive hill heading to the apartment and yep......I got stuck. A few nice men tried to help me up the hill but instead, I rolled backwards, parked the car at a Jewish Synagoge, crashed their New Years Eve party, borrowed someone's phone.......called Joe to meet me half way....and no, he hadn't realized I was an HOUR late. I had a drink and some food and walked home. It was beyond cold, I had my thinnest pair of nursing scrubs and it was a long walk home. All of that apparently traumatized me and now I hate driving in the snow!! How much snow did you get?

Deck the Halls

I finally got around to taking pictures of the tree and greenery in the family room and kitchen. Now you can see just how high up I was.......from yesterday's picture posted! And OH BABY IS IT COLD OUTSIDE! We are in the midst of freezing rain and drizzle with the temp down to 23 degrees! AND they have already cancelled school tomorrow with the forcast of 6- 12 inches of snow!! Tomorrow should be a fun one!!

Time to Decorate!

It was 70 degrees today and I had to put out the outside greenery or not do it again this year. Then I realized our ONE tree had finally dumped all it's leaves.....so, Joe raked up the leaves and I cut back a couple of bushes and put up the greenery and bows. I think it looks pretty good. So, then it was time to finish up the greenery inside. Turns out that 3 of the 4 didn't work! Off to Target I went. Sweaty from working in the yard but determined to finish the decorating! I found what I was looking for and bought a different one for the mantle. ....those pictures will be on tomorrow's post. The picture is actually of me on top of the refrigerator. It might make more sense later but it is really high! My hands and feet get sweaty everytime I climb up there. It looks so cool at night. The boys put up the tree on Sunday and I put 3 little ones in the master bedroom. As you can imagine, now Matthew wants one with lights on it in his room. I gave him one without lights and let him decorate it with little felt ornaments. He actually did a really good job. So far he hasn't messed with the big tree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that issue!

More Pictures

Happy Thanksgiving

So I decided since it was going to be almost 70 today that we should give the turkey a pardon and grill out. If I do say so myself, the steak was AWESOME! I also made hamburgers, mashed potatoes, and garlic green beans. My mom brought rolls and a salad. For dessert we had birthday cake. Matthew just didn't understand why neither me or my mom had had a birthday cake. So, I thought today was going to be the perfect day. And yes, it was buttercream icing. We have so much to be thankful for this year and I'm so thankful for all of my friends and family too.

No, Matthew wasn't mega sick. I don't know what was wrong exactly. He had the fever Friday and then Joe and Matthew stayed home on Saturday and then back to the usual routine on Sunday. Guess it was just a quick little virus. Work was super busy and rather chaotic this weekend and I'm looking forward to a relaxing rest of the week. It is supposed to be almost 70 for Thanksgiving so I've decided to nix a traditional turkey and grill out. Yes, my mom thinks I'm crazy but I'm just not into doing a turkey. Then comes one of my favorite shopping days of the year. Yes, it's almost Black Friday. I have gone to a few stores to sort of do some pre-shopping and I'm looking forward to at least finding one awesome bargain.

SICK?

I think Matthew has "something". He came home from school and said his head and brain hurt but the next thing I knew, Joe and Matthew were outside playing soccer. I went to the store and when I called saying I was on my way home.......Matthew was asleep on the couch. When I got home I decided that he had a fever and gave him some Tylenol. (I'm always the nurse!) He then ate some toast with jelly and went off to bed. So far we haven't heard a peep out of him. Not sure what he has but for him to take a nap and go to bed at 7...it's something for sure. So, he doesn't exactly look like this picture today but I liked it and had to post it! Yes, you can still drive a truck through his mouth. I don't think those teeth are ever going to make it in!!

Liberty Girls Night Out

Yes, tonight I went to Liberty for their first Girls Night Out. Many of the stores on the square participated and offered a 10% discount. We ate a a good Italian place and it was so fun to catch on everyone's life and share fond memories of college. I find it amazing to think I've known these women for 17 years!! After dinner we did go hit a few of the shops. Some are really quaint but my favorite was the flower shop......they had cookies and hot apple cider too. Thanks girls for such a wonderful night out! Pictured Left to right: Stacy, Gena, Julie and Jennifer

Today was Matthew's IEP and I was a smidge nervous. I never know what they are going to say!! Well, it was wasted energy to be worried......he is doing very well. He is staying on task, his handwritting is much improved, he gets along well with his teachers and classmates and is on target accademically. They will work on tying his shoes in OT and something else but I doubt that will continue for more than this school year. They are working on the letter "L" in speech and I'm hoping his front teeth come in soon to help with all speech issues. There are things we will work on at home ....such as flash cards with recognition words he may miss on his weekly test or addition and subtraction. I will be looking for those at Target and/or make our own. We are also working on the issue of "cheating". I guess yesterday he looked at another kids paper during some math work. Uh OH. I think he went to another room to finish that test. His teacher doesn't think he will do that again. Well, just the other night while playing a game of Candyland with me....I got a phone call. I turned my back for a couple of minutes and when I returned, I got a less than pleasing card and Matthew amazingly had gotten the card that he had been talking about needing. Hmmmmm. I asked him if he had changed the cards while I was on the phone and he adamantly denied it. I said we don't cheat and if he had.....I doubted he would be able to sleep. Well, two cards were played and he burst into tears. He was caught :-) I desperately tried not to laugh and told him I was proud of him for telling me the truth and we started the game over. I don't think he will do that again!! Hopefully it is a double lesson learned.

The BIG Day!

Okay. I'm officially......gulp....36 today. I actually did much better this year than last and yes, I know....only 4 until 40!! So thank you to all my friends who called, emailed me and sent cards. I love to get cards....e-cards or snail mail cards...and have fond memories of Stacy and I in college going Bettie's Hallmark and we would littlerally spend an hour just reading the cards and laughing outloud. It was such a stress releiver. Today I got a HYSTERICAL card:

"So anyway, I'm standing in line to buy you a freakin' birthday card, and the line is like seventeen billion people long 'cause the only thing the dumb teenage boy at the register is thinking about is the dumb teenage girl at the other register, and some lady is turning her purse inside out to come up with 'exact change', like she's gonna win some kind of 'exact change trophy' or something and some idiot starts up with his 'this item was marked with the sale price' crap and I just really hope you like this card.......(open the card)........'cause I stole it!!"

I almost fell out of the chair laughing so hard. Thank you Kelly for the laugh...I can actually hear her saying it!!

Matthew sang happy birthday at least a dozen times today and told me he really liked my hair. Not sure where he got that but I was having a pretty good hair day :-) Well, the birthday girl is off to take a bubble bath. Thanks again for all the well wishes today! Tonight we had to watch Dances with the Stars and play yet another game of Candyland too! It's the little things that make me happy.

I had such a nice day today. After getting Matthew off to school I was going to do some laundry and realized I was out of Tide. So, I was going to have to go to Target....oh darn. I was on my way out the door when I saw someone on the front porch and heard a noise in the screen door. Well, it was my college friend, Jennifer. She actually works down the street at MDOT. She was dropping off a birthday card for me but had to leave to head home and pick up her son for a doctors appt. While I was catching her up on Joe's job hunt/situation, her husband called and said he would take their son. Yeah. Jennifer was free!! So, what did we do?? Go to lunch of course!!! It was such a nice surprise and yes, I've been celebrating my birthday all weekend too. Saturday at work they brought in Mexican food and the most wonderful ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. I had never had one before and it was delicious. The weekend flew by and it was so nice the be so welcomed at my "new" job.

Yesterday I had lunch with a coworker and went to an italian place called Zio's. It is similar to The Olive Garden but the salad isn't as good. Then we went to Costco. I decided I had to get a membership. They have a money back guarentee so I'll see if I like it. I'm certainly not going to Sams....don't get me started on the Wal-Mart thing again. Today I went out to lunch with a former Baptist coworker, Heidi. It's always fun to catch up ....good food and good conversation. While I was gone, Joe was cleaning the kitchen. He mopped all the hardwood floors and bathrooms and got the dust off both ceiling fans in the kitchen and family room. I took a picture just for proof! Tonight we went to Applebees. It's my mom's birthday and my mom was busy with her square dancing group so we went without her. Matthew had his heart set on going out for dinner so.....we went. Matthew was actually pretty good and it was busy and rather loud for a while.
Well, off to get ready for my weekend of work. We had some snow flakes tonight but nothing to exciting. Hope you all have a great weekend!

First, a special thanks to my friend Renee for teaching me how to add music to my blog. If you don't like it, just mute your sound or turn off your speakers :-) Seriously, who doesn't love Rascal Flatts....the group I've got playing today at least. It's the day after the elections and wow are we still in shock. I can complain since I did vote. I can not complain about how Joey just got voted off Dances with the Stars....since I forgot to vote this time. I'm so BUMMED. He was totally my favorite. Now I'm rooting for Mario. We are sooooo addicted to this show. I can't wait for Sara Evans to return and sing on the finale.

Yesterday the movie CARS was available for sale..and of course we bought it. I had planned on saving it for Matthew for Christmas but Joe was too excited. I think it's been played at least 3 times already. I'm pretty sure Matthew's birthday party theme in January will be CARS. I've already staked out the cake section at Target and they have table decorations as well. I also hit Target for Keith Urban's new CD. I haven't had a chance to listen all the way through yet but I did get it on my ipod.

I've got lunch and dinner plans tomorrow and then lunch on Friday. I say it's never too early to start birthday celebrations. Friday is my mom's birthday and I hope she will want to do dinner. It's always a fun time of year with my mom's birthday on the 10th and mine on the 14th. It seems like just yesterday I turned 35.......with 36 less than a week away....I'm starting to feel a bit nervous as 40 will be here before I know it. However, I still get patients that think I'm at least 29. Gotta love that!!!!!

Okay....So, I've heard its been a long while since I've blogged. What have we been up to?? Well, I've been doing some window shopping! I went to the grand opening of our new Crate & Barrel. Oh it was beyond crowded. You would have thought they were giving their stuff away. It was like an after Christmas sale. If I had found something I couldn't live without I would have been in line for an hour or so. I decided I'll go back later. That night while I was out, Matthew got sick and threw up for Joe. Yes, he normally throws up for Joe......he puked on the toliet, floor and on my white, dry clean only shower curtain. I SWEAR when I bought it, I had no clue it was dry clean only! So, Joe washed it, got the red fruit punch stain out of it and it SHRUNK big time. It barely cleared the bath tub it was that short!!! So, I have bought another one at Target and it is totally machine washable and looks awesome. After he puked, he felt much better and we did send him to school on Friday. Heck, we can't mess up another year of perfect attendence!!!!

Friday we went to Joe's sisters for dinner. Joe and Steve went to a movie and Matthew had a blast playing with his cousin, Andrea.

Today was a day of catching up with the check book and bills. Always my favorite! Tomorrow don't forget to get out and VOTE!!!!! Keith Urban's new CD comes out tomorrow so you all know I will be going to Target for that. Off to watch the CMA's. I'm so excited to see Rascal Flatts perform......and Kenny Chesney and I saw Amy Grant is supposed to be on too. I'm so taping this too!!!!!

Happy Halloween!

For the second year in a row I took Matthew to church for their Fall Party....aka...Halloween. When we arrived there was a fire truck and ambulance with their lights on. It was there last year so I didn't think much of it. Then when we met up with my college friend, Julie,her husband Joe and two boys Andrew and Aaron......Julie mentioned they took someone in the ambulance. Guess by arriving early, we missed some kind of excitement! They had several tables set up throughout the church and had carnival type games for the kids to play. Matthew had a lot of fun but he was rather torn....he really wanted to stay home and help Joe hand out candy. So, since he won't be able to trick or treat for that many more years, I decided we should go to the church party. Matthew went as Manny the Handyman....some new show on Nick Jr I believe. Basically, it is the same outfit he has worn for the last 3 years, as Bob the Builder, but it is so easy and cute! He also got his face painted with a green frog. It was sad when we had to wash it off tonight but he has such sensative skin I didn't want it to stay on all night. Hope you had a fun and safe Halloween too!

World Series Champs

I just couldn't let another day go by and not acknowlege my favorite baseball team. YEAH St. Louis Cardinals. So, I did borrow a picture from my friend Renee's blog of her family all decked out in their game attire!

Today I went to Liberty to see a college friend, Gena who had a baby a month ago. I brought a cute little dress, lasagne, salad, bread and cookies. It was a quick visit and her baby, Madisyn is precious. I think the picture is cute with her looking up at me. Yes, my hair is a mess.....but it was raining this morning!

I did have to laugh this morning....I was about to jump in the shower when Matthew came to get me. He said mom......that thing over there said my name. He was pointing to the answering machine. So, sure enough, the message light was blinking and it was the neighbor. She had used Matthew's name a couple of times in the message! How funny is that. Maybe it didn't take much to make me laugh at 7:30 this morning. Or I'm just really tired. I've helped a friend move and clean the new house this week and I'm tuckered out.

The house is finally warm again. The furnace stopped working a couple of days ago and it is finally fixed. The starter went out and the repair man just left. AHHH.....heat! At least it hasn't been too cold at night. On another high note, Joe has 2 more interviews coming up. YEAH. For those I haven't had a chance to tell the saga to....Joe lost his job completely out of the blue a month ago and the last 2 weeks have gotten kinda busy with phone interviews, stuff to fill out via emails and then finally some face to face interviews. He had one yesterday, one today and then one on Monday for sure. Please keep him in your prayers. I think he is getting stressed out!

GUM

So, yesterday and today are early release days from school so we can have our parent-teacher conferences. I went yesterday while Joe was at a job interview. I always enjoy these but think they are way too short...plus I was late. Anyway Matthew seems to be doing well in school and that is always a relief to hear. She did take the time to share a funny story. I guess yesterday Matthew's bus was the last to arrive and so Maggie (a classmate and fellow bus rider) and Matthew where helping the teacher and she had given them each a piece of gum. They made the annoucement that their bus was here and the teacher escorted them to the front door.......even though Matthew had INSISTED they could do it themselves. So, she sees them get on the bus, heads back to finish up in the classroom when who should appear......MATTHEW!! How can this be? She just put him ON the bus. He had come back to spit out his gum. So, in his efforts to follow the rules.....spit it out before getting on the bus and no gum on the bus....he almost MISSED the bus coming home. I find the whole story endearing.......as I have never even given him gum!! Matthew totally loves school and I'm just thrilled as I did too at his age.

Take me out to the ball game!

First............I am so excited about the Cardinals going to the World Series!! YEAH. I must say, when it was the 9th inning, bases loaded and Carlos Beltron wasup to bat.....I was a little worried.

Today I spent the day at a Diabetic/Cardiology Seminar. I would say most of it was both over my head and not applicable for the nursing setting I work in. The food wasn't too bad and I came home with a ton of pens, paper, mugs and reading material Matthew was completely thrilled with the pens and paper!! It just doesn't take much to excite us. I also ran into an old friend, Lisa, from Baptist. We became instant friends when I first started working there. She is an awesome nurse and really helped me in my "younger" days.

I am completely exhausted from this weeks activity and now my weekend of work begins. Hope you all have a fantastic one!

Out for Lunch

Today has been non stop since I rolled out of bed. I checked blood pressures at the health fair at Matthew's school from 9-11:30. Then I went to Chili's for lunch with some very special nurses I used to work with. One was Henri who was my first nurse manager. She is one of those people that we all compare any past, present and future bosses too....and of course NO ONE can compare. I also ate with Marilyn and Janey.....both who helped mold me into the nurse I am today. I always laugh when I think of Janey who thought I was so quiet and shy when I first started. Oh I am so out of my shell now!!! So, that is what the picture is.....I know it isn't very good but I had to document!! Then it was off to get my hair cut and highlights. It was a long day!! Tomorrow is the diabetic/cardiology seminar. I swear I never have this much going on!!!

My Bargain!!

Wow have I been busy!! First.......I haven't had a migraine in almost 2 weeks and I'm so thrilled! I have had two doctors appointments this week and found a mega bargain at Dillards. I found a denim Nautica twin comforter (reversable) with matching sham for $32.50. It had been $130!! AND a suede tan bedskirt for $10.....had been $40. I know......how cool is that? It really looks sharp in Matthew's room and is what I've been looking for for months!! Tomorrow I'm doing blood pressures at the health fair at school, then lunch with some nurses I used to work with.....THEN a much needed hair cut. It's really the little things that make me happy. Friday I'm going to a Diabetic seminar......education hours, hopefully good food and heck, I might even learn something new! Well, thanks for letting me share my bargains with you tonight. I promise to post some new pictures soon!

Field Trip

Today Matthew went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. He woke up super early and very excited!! (Can you tell from this picture?) They wore their pumpkin shirts that they had made and everyone took a sack lunch. It's the little things that excite him. I was bummed I didn't get choosen to go as a parent volunteer but since it was chilly today I didn't mind!! Tonight I read Matthew "Green Eggs and Ham" and I was amazed at how many words he knows!!
I am again in my Martha Stewart mode and made my last box of beer bread for work tomorrow. We are celebrating one of my coworker's birthday....the one who took her car to Walmart to have the oil changed, ruined her engine by over filling the oil and now they are saying it isn't their problem. Yes, I'm still in amazement at that company. Well, the bread is done, the house smells amazing and I'm off to get ready for another weekend of fun at work!!

The Weather is a Changin'

So, it's been rather cool here the last couple of days so what did I do today? I made a big pot of chili! I had my mom come over for dinner too. I also made some beer bread to go with it. Yes, I'm a real Martha Stewart! Fortunately Matthew did his homework early as he started misbehaving.....why he does it when my mom is here I'll never know!!! So, he lost his beloved animals I blogged about yesterday and got sent to bed early. No popsicles or candy corn tomorrow after school. Yes, it's a rough life. Not sure when he will get the animals back either.

Fun After School

I couldn't resist trying to sneak up on Matthew to take a picture this evening....but he ended up posing! He loves to play with these green animals that belong in different primary color blocks. They are made by Tuperware and I used to play with them when I was his age!! The animals lined up came from the zoo. He has quite an imagination and is very good at entertaining himself.....which is good as my stomach has been upset this afternoon and Joe is busy working on resumes!! It's dreary, cool and raining here today. Matthew has a field trip to a pumpkin patch on Friday and it's going to be chilly. There were 5 spots for parent volunteers and 11 signed up. Of course I didn't make it in the drawing. Matthew was pretty bummed as I usually show up for everything like that! I know......big shock there!!

Homework time

I haven't been in the blogging mood and it didn't help that the digital camera's battery has been dead for over a week as well. So, the battery is charging and here I am!! The census at the hospital has nearly doubled in the last couple of weeks. We are getting some falls and subsequent hip fractures but the cooler weather is bringing out the lung problems. So, business is booming. On a health note, I've had a slew of migraines again. I spoke with my doctor....he is so nice and will call me to make med changes over the phone. ....I don't know if it is because we used to work in the same hospital...anyway......we again increased my BP med and it's now double what it was when we first started. My BP this weekend was 114/71 and I wasn't too dizzy. Pray for no more migraines!!!!
Here is another picture of the boys working on homework. When Matthew takes his time, his penmanship is rather nice!!