I Know I Have Posted This Before.....

But, I am playing with the Picasa app, so you will have to bare with me here....

WTF???

Looks like this blog has a bad case of PMS, so I have decided to move on over here. So, feel free to come for a visit!!

Where Does The Time Go??

It seems like forever since I have had a minute to sit down here and catch up a little. I wish that I could tell you the absence was due to my extensive travel to exotic places. Or maybe because I have been tied up in meetings with people advising me on how to invest the millions I have recently won in the lottery. But, unfortunately, it has nothing to do with anything quite that amazing. Just lots of real life happening. Work is really taking off, which is great for the job security but not so great on the personal life. I am enjoying the work though, so that helps a lot. I have done a little traveling in the last month or so, but no where even remotely exotic. Minneapolis...in the middle of February...does not count as exotic. Crazy maybe, but not exotic. This client happens to be my favorite though, so it was all good. The trip home was a little ridiculous, but I will tell you about that later.

Burda and I got in some prom dress shopping, and found a pretty amazing one for her Senior Prom. A little more expensive than past years, but since this is her last Prom, I think it was a good choice. I was going to post a link to the dress, but I think I will just make you wait because the online pictures just don't do justice to how great she looked in it. School is going well for Critter. He changed his major and seems much more excited about the months (many many months) ahead. Little Man has been working with the school speech therapist, and is doing really well with the sounds that have been giving him the most trouble. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the little bit of a lisp he had, but he is very excited about his progress so I will just have to get over it.

I have some random pictures to get up here and share, and will try to do that in the next day or so, but until then, have a great week, and I will try very hard not to wait so long between posts.

And Here Is The "To Follow" Part

Burda's

Mine

I Finally Did It!

I have talked about getting a tattoo for a long time now, and I finally got up the nerve to just get it done. Well, that and Burda asked if I would go with her to get one on her 18th...and that was just the motivation I needed. We went to Rumors Tattoo & Piercing (she doesn't have a website, but this is the location) and she did an AMAZING job!! I will post pictures soon, but if you are interested in a tattoo at all, Sophi is the one you need to call! Since this was my first I had no idea what to expect but it was a great experience. Not much pain, and it isn't sore at all today. Burda might disagree with that, but we got our tattoos in different places, and she just picked a more sensitive area. So if you have been considering it, take my advice and just do it. Pick something with some meaning for you, and take the plunge! I am now trying to decide where I want my second (and last, don't worry Mom!) one.

18 Years Have Gone By All Ready?? How Did That Happen?

Today my baby girl turns 18 years old. I still remember every second of the day she was born and it just doesn't seem possible that it has been that long ago. She was a beautiful baby and she has only gotten more gorgeous with every day. I am so proud to be her mom and could not be more excited to see her life unfold in front of her. I love you baby girl!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

The sexiest and most amazing husband on the planet turns 38 tomorrow, February 7th, and I would like to take this moment to tell him how grateful I am that he has chosen to share this birthday, and the many more to come, with me. His love has made me a better person, and the life we share together is filled with trust and respect. He has taught me what it means to be part of a whole, and for that I am forever grateful. Each night that I am able to fall asleep in your arms, and each morning that I am able to wake up to your smile reminds me how truly blessed I am. Happy Birthday Baby!

Randomness That Is Long Overdue

This picture is what my backyard looks like underneath all of the current snow and ice. The countdown to March 21th has officially begun!!

The next three are of the KC Chiefs game that we went to in December. They played the Dolphins, and lost (big surprise, huh) but they played a pretty good game that lasted all four quarters. And did I mention that this was the second coldest game in Arrowhead history??? Nearly froze our butts off, but it was a good time.

Nice look for Burda, huh??!!

Who is that handsome boy you ask?? Why that is my nephew Keny...well on his way to being a lady killer!! And he stuck out the whole game, no complaints at all. Unlike his Aunt Jodi....I made the whole game, but there was more than a little bitchin' and moanin'! Thank you dear little tiny baby Jebus for the handwarmers! A true gift from the gods!

Check us out....a whole lot of heat in one picture!! And you can tell from the picture that my sister got the looks while I got the brains! Then there is Mom, who was graced with both. Love you guys!

Just a Quick Thank You Shout Out...

This morning, like most every work day morning, I am waiting patiently in the drive up line for my Starbucks fix. What made this morning different you ask? Well, a very nice man in a van that was right in front of me was kind enough to pay for my order. And I have no idea who he was. But, he did have a decal on his van for his business, so I thought it would be nice to post that link here. If you ever need some computer work done check him out, and tell him me and my wingman say thanks for the coffee!!!

UPDATE: So, Lesa and I went back to Starbucks on break and I made it a point to buy the coffee for the car behind us. Now all is right with the universe again and I am not feeling "lopsided" anymore. Don't need karma kicking my butt for not doing the right thing.

What's Up??

Thought I would check in and say hey! Sitting here in the Chicago O'Hare United Airlines terminal, just chillin. Not gonna complain cuz at least I got here, and it looks pretty promising that I will get out of here and into Des Moines still today. So, all in all, it could have been much worse of a day. The flight from Baltimore to Chicago was pretty uneventful, and I really didn't even mind that the early morning flight was cancelled. I may have mentioned a couple (hundred) times that I am not a morning person so sleeping in was not the worst thing that could have happened. Our new flight was supposed to leave at 11:54, but that got bumped to 1:00. Got here at 2:30'ish only to find our 3:45 to DSM was cancelled too. Luckily there is another flight out at 5:30 and they were kind enough to squeeze us on to that one. Plus I found a nice little Starbucks kiosk so all is well in my world. Must've had some good karma working in my favor and I will accept that with a smile! Hope everyone at home has been staying warm and missing me, cuz really, what's not to miss!! :) As much as I love to travel, I am ready to be home. Traveling for business is not the same and I really do miss the family. Little Man has promised me all the kisses and hugs he has to give, and if I plan to wrestle a big hug out of Burda too. And look out Hubby....cuz I am coming for ya!! :)

Hello From Sunny Baltimore, Home Of The Ravens

Ok, so it is a little late to be calling it sunny Baltimore, but I hear it will be tomorrow. So, that counts, right? The trip out was pretty uneventful. No delays, no bad weather...just a pretty good trip all in all. But, not the same without my wingman. :( I guess that just means there is a much cooler trip in our future, and I will accept that with as little bitching as possible. Sorry this one is so short. but it is an hour later than I am used to, and I have to be up nice and early, so it is time for this old lady to hit the bed. Hope everyone had a great weekend, and here's to another week....may it end quickly! I am hoping to have more pictures to post from this trip since there will actually be a little down time on Tuesday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

j

Here's To A Better Year To Come

Thanks for the forward Cim.

For the Child I Never Met

It is with a very sad heart that I have to post the death of Coleman Scott Larson. He is the little boy that I have followed via carepages.com, and I cannot begin to explain how this little boy and his family touched me. I am sure it seems a little strange to say I shed more than a few tears for their loss considering I never once met them in person. His family has enormous faith and I know that will get them through. They have asked that donations be made in his honor instead of flowers, so if you happen to be so inclined, here are the places they want to support and thank: The Hospice House of Fort Dodge, Iowa The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City or curesearch.org

And if you would care to read his mother's last post, you can find it here.