August 30, 2007

Happy Birthday Qui!

I wish I was there right now with you as you celebrate your special day. I would have loved to have surprised you like I did Tiffany, but hey, there’s always next year! So I composed a little poem instead. I hope you like it sweetie. I hope your day is the best ever because you surely deserve it! As always, I hope you know these words come from my heart.

I hope the rain washes away all your fears.
I hope the wind dries up all your tears.
I hope the ocean cleanses your soul.
I hope the sun always shines on you, where ever you go.
And I hope you know I love you so.

Words never seem to be enough for me however when I let people know how much I care for them. As far back as I can remember it’s been the actions that have spoken louder than words. I guess that it’s harder for me to let that cliché go than what I thought.
And I am always thinking…If tomorrow never comes, would they know how much I loved them? Life is just too dang short not to tell how you feel. I guess my parents raised me well, cause we said “I love you” all the time in our house. I say it now all the time to my kids, my family, and my friends…always. Yet it never seems to be enough.

So that brings me to the little things in life. Don’t take for granted those little things. Go hug your child or call a friend you haven’t seen in a while and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. You’ll feel better, and so will they. Share that love with everyone you know. I’ll try to lead by example.

“If they could love like you and me, imagine what the world could be.”
--Nickelback

I know I’ve been pretty sappy this week and I apologize for that.
This week is almost over, so bear with me ya’ll.

And I promise to post pictures as soon as I get my computer up and running…because don’tcha know that it crashed last night. I’ll be busy this weekend getting that up and running…I’m spoiled with 2 monitors and it’s driving me so nuts!

Happy Thursday…and know that I love you all!

2 Days...and More

2Days until my birthday.

4 Days until school starts.

61 Days until I go to Georgia.

0 Day until Qui's birthday.

62 Days until Tiffany's birthday.

239 Days until Bruce and Irene's wedding.



All events that I'm looking forward too.

All events that are special to me this year.

The rest of the year will fly by after school starts.

And before you know it, Christmas will be here and then April shortly after that.

I can't even begin to tell you just how excited I am for April to get here.



I get to wear many hats that day, besides being the Wedding Coordinator.

It's my first real Photography gig.

It's my first Invitation gig.

And I get to coordinate the guys...thank God the Best Man has some style and the Bride okayed it all! The girls are on their own though...they know what the guys are wearing so it should all be good. Ya'll gotta look spiffy for mom and pa's wedding!

I should have my computer up and running by Friday night...to post those pics I promised!

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams!

Ashley’s Story

My niece Ashley was born with a heart condition called Epstein’s Anomaly. It caused her heart to be enlarged to the point where it needed shunting in order to function. This little girl has endured many a open heart surgery. She currently has a pacemaker in to help regulate her heartbeat. And actually, she wasn’t even supposed to live this long. As a matter of fact, she wasn’t supposed to do a lot of things. She has amazed and educated her doctors. They are in fact, more dumbfounded at her abilities now at the age of 17, then they were when she was 3. She’s had a stroke, a tracheotomy, and in one week had 3+ open heart surgeries making her total somewhere around 10+.

And yet, after all that has happened to her, she continues to be strong. She is the most social person I know. Even more so than her mom. She knows everyone…and I mean EVERYONE! And she don’t care, she’ll start up a conversation with anyone. And everyone knows her.

She doesn’t judge nor does she see that she gets judged for her disabilities. It doesn’t matter to her, she loves everyone and everything. She has a free spirit about her. She doesn’t let things get her down or let obstacles get in her way. She’s caring and considerate (for the most part) and always willing to help. She’s how each of us should strive to be as human beings.

Don’t get me wrong. She is far from the perfect child. But even with her flaws, she’s still an exceptional child. I call her child, but in 7 short months she will be 18 year old and an adult.

It seems like yesterday when I got that phone call that my sister had had a baby. I had no idea she was even pregnant. Mom had said that the baby wasn’t healthy and they didn’t know if she’d live even. It was an hour by hour, day by day situation. My dad came down to Austin the next day to pick me up and take me up to Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. And then I fell in love for the first time. How could one sweet little baby bring out such love for another human being. Amazing. And now, 17.4 years later, she shows the love every day.

Now most of you who’ll read this, will understand why I’m all about love all the time. I know it gets old and preacher-like, but hey, I have lived it, I have lost it, and I have experienced it in this child I’m proud to call my God Daughter.

So the next time you want to judge and criticize, just think back to Ashley and strive to be like her. I know I do every single day of her life.

I love you Ashley Marie Marlar!

7 Days

7 days until my birthday Dad!
Mom if you are reading this...this is the only reminder you get!
Don't forget my card either this year!

Yes the Door is Always Open...and the light's on in the hall. My dad used to sing that. He sang a lot of Waylon and Willie and Jerry Lee too! Thanks to Tiffany, I have that song now too. It was kinda funny listening to it...and yet it made me tear up. These are the days I miss my dad the most. Birthdays and Holidays are the toughest. I know I rave on about my dad and I should be raving about my mom too because she's still living, but I don't want to forget these memories of my dad...ever.

You see, I was always Daddy's Girl. He even sang a song to me called Daddy's Girl...and if I ever find it, I'll be ecstatic. He sang it to me on my wedding day. I'll never forget that. Still haven't watched that video because it's so hard still. I'm just not ready yet. Maybe someday. Just not today.

My parents always made a big deal out of our birthdays. I have always loved mine. It's my own day..my own holiday that I get to celebrate anyway I want too. I'm grateful for such great parents. Not everyone had awesome birthday cakes and cool presents like I did growing up. I remember my 7th birthday like it was yesterday. I got a Ballerina Barbie, a Barbie carrying case, and some Barbie outfits. That's when my love of Barbie happened. We had a small party with a couple of my friends and close family over for cake. Nothing spectacular...it didn't have to be. Oh, and my parents were seperated. But my dad was there. He was always there for us.

So when birthdays roll around for those people that I love, I try to do something for them. Even if it's something as simple as a card or something over the top like a trip to Georgia. No matter what, your birthday should be special and I hope I can make it as such...that's how it should be.

And the number of birthdays dictates the type of present you get from me. When my niece turned 16, I sent flower to her at school. My other niece turned 13, I did the same for her. Ashley will be 18 in April and I might have to plan a trip for her. We'll have to see...Ashley will be another topic for another day...because that's a really long story.

I won't be doing anything spectacular this year. I'll only be 37. (Although my trip to Georgia is my birthday present to myself.) I will stay home and play poker and maybe have a cake. The jury is still out on that one. I don't much like celebrating my birthday anymore, at least not with out my dad.

Although I do expect presents and cards. So send them out tomorrow, so that they arrive by the weekend.

Sweet dreams, ya'll.

Mission Accomplished!

Well one of my Marlar Missions anyway.

My Secret Agent Mission was that I was going to surprise Tiffany for her birthday. Now the original plan was to fly down on November 1st and get a hotel room and car rental. Then I'd show up at her driveway, call her up and ask her what's for breakfast, and then drive up and stay for breakfast. Complete with a DQ Cake. But that plan kinda changed.

She has been razzin' me all week about not believing that I'd be there before the end of the year. So Thursday night I got my ticket to Savannah, Georgia. Now keep in mind I'm doing this, chatting with her, watching her on the web cam, and playing poker. I didn't want to raise suspicion, so I had to multitask like no other so she wouldn't know what I was doing. Once I got my confirmation email...I forwarded it to her. The first time she didn't see it. So, I again forwarded it. THIS time...she saw it. I swear to God, it was like the VISA commercial. The look on her face was PRICELESS!!!! Then came the tears. She cried, I cried, we all cried. It was one of the most self gratifying things I have ever done.

So November 1-4 I am heading south to a birthday party at Tiff's. And I'm so looking forward to it. I can't wait to get some real southern home cooking, see the Atlantic Ocean, and just plain have fun. I've never been to Georgia, so it will be an awesome experience. And I can't forget my shot glass either! I get to fly into Atlanta for a plane change so I'm gonna have the Mack Daddy ready to rock for some awesome sky shots and hopefully the city skyline! I can't wait...I am so dang excited.

So Marlar Mission #2-Accomplished. I'll get back to you on Marlar Mission #1. The Jury is still out on that one...no pun intended!

Happy Saturday, ya'll. Muah's and Love's to you!

Best Friends

I only have a handful of true friends. But the friends that I do have, I have had for many years. I’m kind of fussy about who I let into my heart. And even more fussy about who stays.

I met Kim in the 6th grade. It was my first day in a brand new school after just moving down to Faribault over the Memorial Day weekend that summer. I was terrified. Lord knows, I hated change even then. That was in 1980.

We became instant friends that very day after discovering that her birthday is 2 days after mine. Another Virgo…go figure.

27 years and seven kids between us later, we are still good friends. I cherish Kim, although I don’t always tell her that, she just knows. It’s the unspoken love that we have for each other that keeps us friends. We can fight and forgive all in the same day. And live to tell about it. She’s like a sister to me, one that I can actually get along with even.
Love ya Kimmie!!

Cheryl on the other hand, was a different story. I never thought we’d end up best friends. I met her in the 7th grade in Mrs. Olson’s Social Studies class. She sat right directly behind me and pulled on my pigtails when we had a test, so that she could cheat off of my paper. The joke was on her though, cause I wasn’t that smart in that class. And from then on we became good friends. Even shared a boyfriend, well sorta. I told her to call him and ask him to go out with me, and she ended up getting the guy…Neil. I always thought that they would get married. Never happened though. And even after that, we always got along.

She’s the one that knows all my secrets and still loves me unconditionally. And after 26 years, we can talk about anything and not get offended in doing so. She doesn’t judge me. And I love her for that! That’s why she’s the Godmother to all four of my kidlins. And they all love her too as much as I do. She’s the only one that can handle them all together. Military style even! She’s my rock, my confidant, and my best friend. She’s my homey fo sho! Love ya girl!

Both of these ladies have grown and inspired and achieved in their lives. I'm proud to call them friend.

Favorite Smells

Polo by Ralph Lauren
Obsession by Calvin Klein
Draakar Noir

My 3 favorite men’s colognes that I can sum up in one word…YUMMY! I also like Farenheit by Christian Dior. MMMmmmm…..GOOD! If I catch you wearing any of these, you better run. I don’t care. Call me weird, call me goofy, call me what you will, but I WILL sniff you. You have been warned…this is the only disclaimer I will give.

I like the smell of Banana Bread fresh out of the oven. Nothing smells better on a nice crisp and cool autumn day.

And speaking of fresh baked bread, the smell of white bread coming out of the oven is truly delicious. I love having a piece fresh out of the oven with tons of butter on it…all melted…yum!

I like the smell of a Home Interior Hazelnut Candle. I believe they quit making them though. Bummer. I also like the Coffee Cake candle, and the Baked Apple Pie candle. Reminds me of grandma’s house. Good stuff there.

Roses.
My absolute favorite smell (besides the cologne).
Always have to stop and smell the roses too.
Even if it is a cliché.

Campfire. Love the smell of a campfire during the summer. In the winter it’s replaced with the Fireplace smell. Yummy!

Why am I talking about smells? Because smells trigger memories in our brains. We remember by association of smell. At least I do. Like the bread. Everytime I bake a loaf of bread, it brings me back to my mom’s kitchen when I was a little girl. Good times, I tell ya.

And if you know me, then you know that it’s all about the memories. Capturing that moment and never letting go of it. Remembering the feeling. Forever.

Because that's all that counts and all that you have.

Happy Friday, ya'll!!

I’m a Virgo. The stars say so. My birthday dictates it. I have no choice. I love that fact about me. It’s my all-time favorite zodiac sign. And I cherish the Virgo’s I meet.
(I’m finding out I have a thing for Scorpio’s too…guess I always have!)

My favorite number is the number 2. (Most of you already knew.)
It’s curvacious, like me.
It never stands alone, it’s always a couple.
And it’s the day of my birth.

My favorite month?
September, of course.
It’s the beginning of fall, the month of my birth, and in Minnesota—when the leaves start falling off the trees for winter.

My favorite color is Blue. All shades. It’s the color of my eyes, it’s what’s in my bathroom, it’s my birthstone, and it’s the most calming of all colors. We all know how much I need to be calmed.

My favorite letter…The letter “M”. “M&M” is for Miss Marlar. Hence the love of M&M’S Candies. And they taste good too!

My favorite animal is a Dolphin. So graceful and beautiful, yet playful and spunky. Kinda like me.

I can't name a favorite song right now because there are so many I love. But I do like Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" and Nickelback's "Rockstar".

My favorite scrapbooking Manufacturer is KI Memories. They have some of the coolest things (at least I think so). My favorite scrap store...ScrapSupply...see that link over yonder<<<<< check it out, it rocks my world.

Some of my other favorites are over yonder too. Check 'em out. You won't be disappointed!

Oh and Happy Hump Day ya'll!

Passions

I feel so fortunate to have had parents that were so passionate about music. Both were musically talented, could play instruments, and sing. I remember at the age of 3 hearing music in our house. “The Game of Love” playing on my record player and me thinking it was my dad singing. I remember learning how to play records on the record player at the age of 4, and bawling my eyes out when my favorite album got stepped on and broken. I remember growing up and hearing Neil Diamond on the big Zenith cabinet record player and watching my mom dance and sing around the house for us. The first concert I remember going to was Neil Diamond in 1976. I was 6 years old…although mom reports I first saw ND at the Minnesota State Fair in 1973…so I stand corrected. It’s since been a family tradition to see him when he visits our state. We can’t get enough of the memories that his music brings for us.

It was then, in that era, that I learned to love music. That music frees your soul. It frees your mind, body, and spirit. It does. It’s a universal language that everyone understands. It’s something that we can all relate to in one way or another. It relaxes and excites all at the same time. It soothes all your worries and frees you of any presence in the real world for the moment. It’s an escape. I try to pass this along to my children as I always felt that music made the world go around. I think I’ve succeeded…my 3 girls all sing along with me in the van on the way to town and on the way home…especially if we hear one of our favorite songs. We might sound really bad, but we are having a blast singing that song like we were performing in concert at the XCEL Center. And yes, I turn it way up so we don’t hear ourselves sing…it’s that bad…lol. Those are the kinds of moments that I hope my children will cherish and remember as much as I do.

I never learned to play an instrument so well that I could just pick it up and play without reading the music. My dad was talented like that. He played by ear. My mom reads music and used to give lessons, but never taught us because she didn’t want to push it on us, and we never showed interest. This is one of my goals in life. I will learn to play the piano one day. Maybe not quite like Vanessa Carlton or my dad, but still I WILL learn. I did take Violin lessons in the 5th grade, but the love for the instrument was not enough then. My passion for the piano though, is very strong and even more so now. I’ve always loved and I mean REALLY LOVED to watch and listen to my dad play. He was amazing. I could play a song for him, and he’d play it right back to me. I was in awe to say the least. I never knew people did that—played by ear—like that. Amazing. And then you add lyrics to the music and call it a song. Even more amazing. And when you can relate to those lyrics in a way that it touches you deep into your heart and soul, you have discovered my passion for music. Welcome to my world. Glad to have you here, my friend.

I listen to just about every genre out there. Everything but Classical. That’ll put me to sleep for sure. But Rock, Pop, Country, Jazz, Rap, Soul, R&B, Funk, Grunge, and even Heavy Metal. You name it, I bet I got something for it. I’ve become very diverse with my music. I’m very proud of my musical library and it’s diversity. Once again, I hope my children recognize that they are learning to be musically diverse people. I think they are learning. My son likes that song “John Deere Green” by Joe Diffie as well as Nickelback’s “Rockstar”. I think he’s finally catching on.

As I sit here listening to KS95 on my radio at work and writing this up, I realize that in every single song, there is at least one line that I can make mine. I understand the language. Now if the rest of the world would all speak the same language, this world would be full of peace, love, and serenity.

Sorry to ramble on about this and call me demented and delusional, but music truly makes my world go around. Ask anyone that knows me. They’ll back me up on this, more than likely.

Now go find your passion…*wink*

(And 2 posts in one day...I'm on a roll now!)

Another Marlar Mission

I swear...once I get something in my head I'm just not satisfied until I see the thought through. I'm on a Marlar Secret Agent Mission this week...it's such a highly classified mission, that only one other person knows about it.

I'm still waiting to hear back from my cousin Donna on the other Marlar Mission though. I did hear from my Aunt Debbie though. She sent me a list of charges and convictions on my uncle. Even though he was the black sheep of the family, he still deserves a proper headstone. It's my life mission...before I die...to get him one...no matter what. Hopefully soon I'll find out the information that I need.

I swear, us Marlar's are too stubborn and headstrong sometimes. But we do what we gotta do to get that mission accomplished.

On another note, school starts in 15 days. I know this because my birthday is 2 days before that. I can hardly wait and I know the kids are getting excited and antsy too. Let's hope it goes fast or they'll be driving me nutso!

That's all for now...have a great Tuesday...catch you on the flip side!

Emotions

Wow.
How can I top yesterday’s blog post?
I was amazed at the compliments that I received regarding yesterday’s post.
Thank you all very much.

It was very humbling and hearwarming both to know that someone truly appreciated the words I wrote. I was overwhelmed with emotion and it truly made my day to know that I touched other people’s hearts. I believe that is my purpose here on Earth. God truly put me here to make people laugh and to touch others’ hearts. Just writing this now and thinking about yesterday, is making me tear up. I’m truly grateful for such friendships.

“14 Days until my 37th birthday, Dad.” I hope you get a giggle out of that even from Heaven.

You see, when I was about to turn 16, I started a month before my birthday leaving little post it notes all over the house for my dad. (The side story to that is that Tessie used to leave my dad post it notes for money—something I rarely did—until that month before my birthday.) I started at the number 30 and then 25 and then 20 and so on until number 10…and then it was every day. Just so he didn’t forget my birthday. Not that he ever did, but this year was special as all girls turning 16 think at that age.

Little did I know, that my dad saved every single one of those post it notes. We found them in some of his stashed things after he died.

As I’m about to turn 37, I find myself re-evaluating my life. This year I realized that in 3 years I will be 40 years old. My life almost half over, with almost half left to live. I realize that I need to step it up a notch and do more and see more and explore more. I realize that I’ve lived my life for others too long and need to live life for me. A lot more realizations going on in these next few days, I’m sure. I might have to make a list of “To Do’s” so that I can stay on task and do all that I want to do before my time runs out. And if I do it all now, I can say I’ve done all I wanted to do. And then do even more after that. (I hope that makes sense).

So as I round the corner to 37, I will promise this....
To live life each day.
To appreciate those in my life.
To try to be a better person than I was last year.
To learn from my past, live in my present, and preserve for the future.

Happy Monday to you!

The Best Man and The Bridesmaid

I'm talking about Tiffany and Qui.
Two of the most fun people I have ever met in my life.
Two people that I am proud and priviledged to know.
Two people that I am honored to work with for Bruce and Irene's Wedding.
Two people I can't wait to meet.
Two people that I love very dearly and will always be in my heart forever.

You see, we all met on Full Tilt Poker.

Tiff and I have been playing for about a year together...but have just recently "connected" so to speak. We have discovered that we have more in common with each other, than we do with our real sisters. We are 2 bodies, one brain. What she thinks, I say...and vice versa. And comical as all get out too! That girl can make me laugh so hard that I cry. I love her to pieces and as my dad would say, she's good people. I could rave on all day about this girl. She totally makes my day and I can't wait for her to get to Minnesota for this wedding. Minnesota will SURELY never be the same after she leaves us to go back to Georgia. I love you to pieces Tiff!

Qui and I, on the other hand, have not been playing as long. And to be honest, I can't rightly remember exactly when we started playing together. But I'm glad he found his way to Table 13 or I might have missed that chance to even meet him. He also makes my laugh so hard that I cry. And he bought me a cordless mouse. LOVE my mouse!! He thinks that Tiff and I are nuts...and we're not telling him any different either! He'll find out in April when we all finally get to meet in person. He's the one that saves me from getting hit on at the table...he always claims he has dibs on me first...lol. Love that...and most times comical as all get out too! He is a very special person...one of a kind for sure. And he can dance. He does a great impression of Carlton from The Fresh Prince...love that! I love you to pieces too Sweetness!

Both of you rock my world and words cannot express the gratitude and honor that I feel in knowing you. You truly are two very special people in my life and I'll never forget you as long as I live. You have made an impression upon my heart that can't be unmolded. I truly love you both with all my heart. You both are an inspiration to me and I simply cannot wait to meet you!

See you at the table for now...and in April for real!
Muah, Muah, love ya's!!

TT

I Blog Because...

I blog because I scrapbook. I scrapbook to preserve the memories for my kids and future generations. If I don’t write it down, I will forget it. Plain and simple. So I decided to jump on the blog bandwagon. It’s where I write the things that mean the most to me...the thoughts that count the most. No matter how silly. Like the phone thing..silly as heck, but it’s that feeling and pride of just letting someone know how much their effort means. Saying how you feel before it’s too late. Everyone should do that more often. Appreciate human kindness. These are the things I want my kids to know. I want them to look back on my writings and see how passionate I was with things..and how not so passionate with others. If I write it down, or type it out in this case, then it will be preserved forever along with the memories. It will jog my memory and make me say, “ Hey, I remember that!”

It’s a place where I can write what I want…when I want. It’s a way to journal…an important aspect of scrapbooking. Very cool to tell the story that goes with that photo..otherwise how will my great-grandkids know what happened? I sure can’t trust my kids to tell it how it happened…so I have to make sure it gets documented. That’s my job and that’s why I’m the mom…and family historian.

I blog to just get it out. Lord knows I have many thoughts that I hold inside. Sometimes things just have to be said. Even if I don’t feel quite comfortable with it. Like my dad’s post. Took me 5 years to say what I had to say. I waited because I knew that I would have thought plenty about it to say what needed to be said.

I blog because I can. I have the freedom of expression. As long as I don’t hurt other’s with my post, I will post what I want. And although I try to remain respectful of people and not include last names (like Ryan), at the same time I try to make the people I do post about proud of my post. Like Bruce, Irene, and my mom. When they read it, I want them to tell everyone and be proud. I hope they are proud…each and every one of them. Except my sister…revenge will be sweet and she’ll get mad anyway..lol. Just kidding Tess!

So there you have it…and as long as I’m on a roll giving company shout-out’s…might as well go check out my other favorite radio station…KDWB. Love me some Dave Ryan in the Morning! (And no I don’t have a thing for Ryan’s either…just a coincidence there!)
www.kdwb.com

And as Fergie says…”I need to be with myself in center, clarityPeace, Serenity.”

Have a great day…Happy Friday!!

ETA: It seems the “Higher Ups” at Frontier in Burnsville, MN have seen this now. Congrats Ryan…You deserve a nice raise for putting up with my high maintenance self!

Mr. Telephone Man

I have to publicly thank my Telephone Man. But first a little background history on this subject.

You see, in January when we had to move to Waterville (for the sake of keeping the kids in the same school district), we had to change phone companies. I was quite happy (and spoiled I might add) with Cannon Valley Telecom. And Lord knows, I don't like change at all.

So I called Frontier to set up service at the new house. And Frontier is the only company allowed to service Waterville....and I'm already griping about that. I get Ryan on the phone. He's gonna set up my service for me. He's going through all the packaging options, etc. etc. and I'm just a griping...cause I hate change. And he's talking me through the whole thing. So sweet and not once getting upset with me for being upset with Frontier.

Now the package that I initially set up was the Dish Network, Phone and Internet. All in one deal..one bill. Lovely. Until Ryan calls me back at work and tells me that Dish is requiring me to buy the cable box. Ok..so on my rant about Frontier and why don't they have regular cable tv I go. Poor Ryan, he just smiled one of them phone smiles and explained it all to me. He must be a Saint, cause he has patience like one. Ok I say, just phone and internet then.

So they come hook up my internet and phone. The guy installed it...and had problems. I get home from work that night and I got no internet. Now those of you that know me, already know, that's my addiction and I'm a bear if I have to go into withdrawals. So I call tech support because it's almost 6pm and you only know that my Telephone Man is not in the office. I got this nice Tech Support guy though...and he helped me install it all proper. So I'm good. Until I get my bill.

I call Ryan once again. I am not paying for the hookup charge when I had to install it myself. All the guy did was plug the dang box in. He credits me. I'm happy once again. For a while.

Over the last 8 months, I bet I've had to call Ryan 10 times at least. (I still don't like Frontier either.) My bill has been messed up and they keep charging me for things that shouldn't be. And once again, Ryan makes it all better.

So Thank YOU Ryan for being the best Mr. Telephone Man I ever knew. You're customer service ROCKS and you make getting the phone bill an easy task. I hope one day to meet you and thank you in person. But for now, this will have to do. My hat's off to you Ryan!

And for the rest of you...Happy Thursday to ya'll!

Some Pictures

Me and the girls...in our bikini's...swimming at Bruce and Irene's! I finally got them all to jump into the deep end with me...and all but Mo touched the bottom!

One of Bruce and Irene's Engagement Pictures! Natalea took some with their camera that I need to edit yet...but they turned out pretty dang good!
The I-35 Bridge...this is the part that fell on the train. It was very humbling to go see the remains of the bridge.This was taken from the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis looking south. This is about as close as we could get because of the police tape around the perimeter...which is probably a mile all the way around the bridge.

All in all...it was a very enjoyable day on Saturday. We discussed wedding plans with Bruce and Irene and had a great time. We can't wait for the wedding to get here. It's like having a baby...8 more months to wait!

Have a great day, ya'll!

Puppy Update

This is their first meal....they didn't quite know how to act until the kids put their faces into the food. Some did better than others...but they still have a lot to learn!

They'll be ready for sale on August 29. They are the cutest little pups...even cuter than the last litter. And the girls really enjoyed seeing them. I'll post more pics when I get them edited tonight.

Happy Friday ya'll!!

Sunday Going's On

So much to do...and so little time to do it in.

Laundry and dishes top the list. At least I need to wash my work clothes so I have something to wear tomorrow.

Then it's off to town to purge the Polly Pockets and price things for the garage sale.

And a birthday party for my mom's foster sons at noon. Craig is turning 16 and Anthony turned 15.

I'll be glad when this sale is over. I have to try to get to the back wall of bins too..so I can find that dang book. The one I ordered isn't here yet and I really wanted it for this weekend so I could crank out some sample invites for Bruce and Irene. That book has some awesome ideas in it too!

I'll post some pics of the ones that I did do...as soon as I show them to Bruce and Irene!
Have a great Sunday.

Comments

It's Friday. It's payday. And school is around the corner. Guess what I'm doing after work tonight? Yep..school supply shopping. And a couple of haircuts. Then I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow...except to Waseca. Then I can come home and scrap as planned.

I have some invitation samples to do up before next weekend for Bruce and Irene's wedding. Hopefully they will like what I've created for them.

I have a layout to create also...for the Jen fundraiser...then I can mail it out. After I get all that done...I have to prepare for Retreat! I found my Power Layout kit...so I will have layouts ready to assemble...and I hope to crank out 100 this time since I'm taking that Friday off!!

And Sunday...we have to go price things and sort for the garage sale. I asked for that Thursday and Friday off..we'll see though...what the boss decides. I'll have to go and put an ad in the paper too...the week before...and make signage to post up! So much to do...so little time to do it in!!

And if you read this...leave me a comment and let me know you are lurking.

MN Bridge Collapse

Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the MN Bridge Collapse.

It's an unexpected and tragic event...and nothing like this ever happens in Minnesota. But last night, Minnesota Nice emerged. People just jumped right in and started helping. Passerby's, witnesses, even victims...regained their wits and just started helping. That's what makes me proud to be Minnesotan.

WCCO says...7 dead and more than 60 injured. A true tragedy.

Routines

I'm a Routine kinda person. I don't like my routine to be messed with or altered in any way. And this morning was no different. Except...when I got up today. I went out to the kitchen like I always do..to get my coffee in the microwave...and run my dishwater for dishes...and I discover that Midnight has broken out of his kennel in the laundry room. (We have it gated so Peanut doesn't roam the house). And he's made a mess...on the floor and in his kennel. I started scolding him right away...I was not a very happy camper this morning...especially at 3am. Tommy was tossing and turning...so I hollered for him...and told him what happened. He saved the day and cleaned it all up for me. While Tom is outside hosing down the kennel at 3:30 am...Midnight decides he's gonna scratch the linoleum and puts a hole in the floor. Now mind you, he's still technically a puppy...he's only 1 years old...and 3 months. So now I have some linoleum to replace as well. Oh the fun of it.

THEN...I had to help Tom get into his email. The girls have been on the computer...I can tell...they have clicked and installed a spam blocker that I had to go and uninstall. Ok..that done...NOW Tom can check his emails and ESPN and whatever else he does....totally interrupted my morning routine. And that totally messes with my whole Karma for the day.

You see...I get up usually around 4am.
I log into my poker site. Grab my coffee cup...fill it..nuke it...and run the dishwater.
I turn the water off...grab my cup...put in 3 tbs. of chocolate...stir it...and go sit at the computer.
(I have 2 monitors)
Then I pull up Explorer and my outlook email. Check my yahoo email. And visit my scrap message boards. And whatever else I think of at this point.
I play poker until 6am...usually...when I take a break to do the dishes. Then I sit back down for a few more hands and play until 6:30-7:00 am.
Then I hit the shower and get ready for work...and leave around 7:45 am usually getting to work by 8:15am. And that's my day in a nutshell.

Now...I ask you...is there room in that schedule for puppy messes?? No..not usually...at least not until 7am when I let them outside. Then mess all you want. But not at 3am...when I haven't even hooked up the Caffeine IV's yet. AT LEAST let me get some coffee in me. I just hate when my schedule gets messed with.

And on that note...Have a nice day!! :)