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.

A Loss Beyond Measure

I think if anyone has hung around with me for any length of time, they have been able to pick up that I don't make new friends easily. I have lots of "acquaintances" but the true friends are the ones I have known and trusted for a very long time. Fairly recently I was lucky enough to make a new true friend, and I just love her to bits. She has had a pretty rough year by any ones standards and the year has now ended on a ridiculously shitty note. I have searched all morning for the right words that would bring some kind of peace and calm to her and her family in this difficult time, but everything falls way short. So, I am asking that you please send Lesa all the thoughts and prayers she can handle as she tries to come to terms with this. And please ask everyone you know to send their thoughts and prayers as well. She is an amazing person, inside and out, and I would never be so arrogant as to pretend I know what she is feeling right now. My heart breaks for her and her daughters, and all of those close to them. Lees....when you are ready hon, I am here. Anything you need, anything at all....please don't hesitate to ask. And while I know that is the same thing everyone will say to you in the days and weeks ahead, please know I mean it with all of my heart. I love you sister friend!

Christmas Pictures Soon Enough, But For Now, Prayers

I have not posted much about Coleman for awhile now, but I have continued to follow his journey on Carepages.com. (Colemanscott) Now more than ever he and his family need your prayers. If that is not your thing, then please keep them in your thoughts as much as possible. His health is deteriorating, and he is again back in the hospital. You can read his Mom's most recent post here for an update. But please.....please, pray every prayer you have and send all the positive energy and healing thoughts you can muster.

Nothing Like a Nice Cotton Explosion to Slap Me Back to Reality!

What the hell am I talking about, you ask?? Well, let me tell you a little day after Christmas story. (I guess the story really starts on Christmas morning...)
Burda--Mom, do you know what happened to the brand new box of tampons I bought??
Me--No, but did you look in the clothes hamper (this is a reasonable question since they sit on the shelf just above the hamper in the bathroom closet)
Burda--YES!! And they aren't there!! (this is followed by a stomp, stomp slam since it is first thing in the morning, and she got her wonderful morning disposition from her mother!! We are not a great tribe of morning people!!)
So, anyhow...I take a quick peek in the hamper, just to confirm, and sure enough they aren't there. Now, fast forward to this morning, and me moving clothes from the washer to the dryer. And you will never guess what I found in the washer....the same washer that had JUST FINISHED WASHING A LOAD OF DARK CLOTHES????!!!!! Yep, that's right. Now everything that was in that load of clothes has come out looking like a badly abused wool sweater that was dipped in wet cardboard. Sounds pretty sexy, huh! I don't think there is a lint brush big enough to handle this. There is a silver lining though.....at least they were new and not used, right??!! And with that sentence I will leave you since I just threw up in my mouth a little!

Oh, and want to know what could make this story just a little bit better??? The reason I was switching laundry this morning?? I need to wash our sheets because the dog threw up on the bed!! Is it too early to break out the Captain Morgan???

Here Comes Santa Claus!!

Around our house we like to keep track of the man in red to be sure we are all in bed and fast asleep in plenty of time!! If you want to know how close Santa is to your neck of the woods, this it the place to do it. And don't forget the treats for the big man. I am sure all this around the world business makes him pretty darn hungry. I hope Santa brings you all you need! Notice I said all you need....in these tough economic times I know that at least here at our house Christmas won't be the gift fest of years past. But it really is more about family and faith, (whatever that might mean to each of us) and surrounding myself with all of the people that are the most important to me is the best gift I could possibly get! So from all of us here at the Landry-Kuhn household, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! HO-HO-HO & Good Tidings & all that other holiday stuff!!

Love and Kisses!!
j

Internet, I am a Bad Friend! It Has Been Way Too Long Since My Last Post

Who is the crazy woman working way too hard?? She was so engrossed in her work, she didn't even notice the camera flash. Now that is employee dedication right there.

After Thursday's big snow and ice storm, Little Man wanted to go outside and help his Daddy shovel snow. I would like to point out that his Daddy had no business shoveling but he is too proud to borrower a snow blower from the parents. Men!!!

Burda had her last Christmas Concert of her High School life on the 17th. Kind of sad if I really stop to think about it, so moving on......

Proof positive that I can make holiday treats!! Almond bark dipped pretzel rods and the chocolate ones are Ritz peanut butter crackers dipped in melted chocolate stars. These were Critter's idea, so the extra pounds my butt is carrying around are officially his fault.

Little Man and his Daddy decorated pine cones for the Christmas tree...and this is what the finished product looked like. They look really nice on the real tree now standing tall in the living room, making the house smell like a pine forest. I love Christmas! Well, except for the crowds of people breathing my air while I try to find the perfect gifts for the impossible to buy for on our list, but other than that, I love the season!

Little Man got to meet Santa and this was the first year he was not totally terrified of the big man in the red suit. I am glad Santa was able to find the time to stop off in our little town...I know he is a very busy guy this time of year. And of course there was no shortage of things he had on his list. Hope Santa was paying attention!

The first of the month I took a super fast (about 36 hours) business trip out east...Maryland to be exact. And this first picture was of the sunset on the trip home. It was much prettier in person, but use your imagination.

And taking pictures out of the rental car window was as close to sightseeing as there was time for. These are drivebys of the Washington Monument. I think it would be a great place to be able to spend just a little more time...so much history to experience. There were some other monuments and landmarks we were able to see, unfortunately the combination of a moving vehicle and big city traffic didn't allow for more pictures. Maybe next time!

So, this is little glimpse of my month in pictures. Sorry it took me so long to get 'em up here but better late than never right? Have a great weekend and we will talk soon!