Frustration

I love to go to the grocery store. Especially Dillons, but I also like to have enough time to get what I need done, done.
Today, Valleri came to me and wanted to get an itunes card. She had her own money, and she wanted to download an album. Easy enough, right?
Wait.
As we get ready to leave, Emily doesn't want to go. She had just started a movie, and she and Lauren wanted to watch it. Fine.
Oh, but could I get her some gum?
Yes.
No, wait, could I have Sun Chips garden salsa instead?
Fine.
But, as we got in the car, I was not sure if KMart sold them, so we went to Dillons.
Val got her card, but the UScan lady said she had to go through a regular register.
So we waited. Finally, it was her turn, but it would not scan. She called the manager, who couldn't figure anything out, so she called the Scan Manager, who said it would take her 2 minutes to enter it into the computer, then it would be fine.
Fine.
10 minutes later, she brings the card back, it is scanned, paid for, and we are on our way.
Val goes directly to her itunes account on her laptop, but when she enters the number,it says that the card is inactive, please return it to the purchase area.
OK. She spent her own money. What am I going to do? We go back to Dillons.
I assure her I am not mad at her in any way. Just irritated at them.
We walk in and run into the same manager chickie who tried to help us before, and she still had no idea, so she called the Scan Manager back, who didn't enter the stuff in the computer correctly in the first place. We explain all of this to them, and they look at each other, but not at us. I can tell this will not go well. Luckily, we had the receipt!
Scan Manager says if we could just give her 10 minutes more, she was sure she could fix this problem.
OK, but that is about all the time we have, I lied. Not really lied, that is all the patience I had more like it.
25 (yes, 25) minutes later, we are still standing there. Manager chickie passed us once and said are you still waiting,but kept on her merry way, not even stopping to hear our answer.
So, I get back in the courtesy booth line, and ask the clerk to please find out what is going on. She does, by calling Scan Manager, who is supposedly still on hold with someone in Hutchinson.
At this time, Val and I both agree a refund is in order, which she gets.
So, we go across the street to KMart, the place we should have gone in the first place, if not for the Sun Chips.
I ask immediately at their courtesy counter where the cards are located. The clerk says Electronics. The clerk in Electronics is just standing around, so I ask him where the itunes cards are, but he says to us, they are up at the front.
HUH?
I told him, that the courtesy clerk said they were back with him, so we search and find them. I asked him if Val could just pay at his register, which he said yes, and took the card to scan.
It would not scan.
Again.
AAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, I am about to have a heart attack because my blood pressure is sky rocketed, and all I can do is laugh.
The second card he got worked.
He had no idea what was so funny.
Long story short, the card worked.
PS- I know you can use a debit card on itunes, but Val hates that, because she likes to have some credit, for things she wants.

Home Grown

Mark loves tomatoes, especially home grown ones.
Val loves cucumbers.
Lauren's great grandma, Lucille, loves us, so she is constantly giving us home grown tomatoes and cucumbers. She also grows grapes.
Lucille lives across the street from my mom and dad. Lauren's mom lived just down the block, so all of our houses were on the same block, so we grew up together. I remember in the summer Lucille used to give us pink lemonade and cookies, and she taught us to sew once, and all the girls in the neighborhood made these little blue felt dolls with pink yarn hair. My doll was named cotton candy, because the blue was the color of blue cotton candy.
I sure wish I still had that doll. Maybe I can make another one sometime.

Sport Physicals

This time of year is so expensive! Usually I would at least be happy about not having to buy back to school clothes, but this year, we had to get Val new school uniforms, which were probably more expensive than back to school clothes shopping for most people.
Today we have to go to Kirby Chiropractic to get the girls their sport physicals. I like to get them over with so they can participate for a year, and then I don't have to try to remember one more thing that has to be done.
Emily hates to go and get them. I think she gets nervous around doctors, and she still absolutely hates to have her blood pressure taken. Always has and always will I think. Anyway, I am sure they will pass with flying colors. Then, when I go to buy all of Val's books on Monday, I can turn in her physical. She has to have one not only for sports but also for PE. I didn't realize that kids had to have physicals for PE class in high school. I wonder if it is only for private schools, or is all of them do it??????

A/C is All Cool!

Our air conditioner is fixed in our "little car that could." It is a blessing to be sure!
Our car guy, Brian, called Mark and asked if he could help him out with some electrical problem he was having at his house, so Mark went over there and when he left, Brian asked him what he owed, and Mark said nothing,don't worry about it, because Brian has helped us out in the past, with deals with the car, so then,he said that he would fix our a/c fan for free.
So he did.
It is so nice and cool. I don't even mind driving distances anymore!
SHelbie and Emily can have a sleepover now, and I won't mind driving to Park City to meet them. Let me know a good time for you guys!

Danelle-International Crime Lord? Perhaps... the prints aren't in yet!

The police have found out who stole my parents van. It was a woman, by the name of Lea Metcalf. I decided she really shouldn't have a right to privacy, that is why I gave her name. Those of you who know Danelle, now know the joke.
Metcalf=Danelle's maiden name.
Maybe her alias is Lea. Maybe not. Maybe she is living a double life of crime. Maybe not. Noone will know until the first appearance in court. Charges will be pressed against her.
The police found her by running the fingerprints they collected against the database from visitors at Hotel Jailblock.
Where were you Danelle on 4/17/2008. That was the latest arrest against her!

***** I love Danelle. I know she is in no way the woman who stole the van. I know she is not related to the person who stole the van. It is just a coincidence. I am just poking some fun at her, because I haven't seen her in a while, and I miss her.

Besides, I think Jaywalking is more her sport anyway!

Poor Emi Bear!

Poor little Emily is sick. She has a stomach ache. She hasn't felt good since yesterday afternoon, but today, she still didn't feel great, so I made her some chicken noodle soup, but she couldn't even eat it. So, to make her feel better,she has a bed on the couch with a fan, her favorite blanket, pillows, and all her favorite stuffed animals, some from long ago. She has Cookie Monster that her papa gave her at his last Christmas, Little Bear, from the cartoon on Nickelodeon, from her Nanny and Buddy, Miss Muffin that she got in Colorado, from when we went there to visit Mark, Strawberry Shortcake that her Gram Cracker gave her for her birthday one year,a Cabbage Patch Doll ,and Koda from Brother Bear.
If all of this ( plus medicine) doesn't make her feel better, I don't know what will.

Heel2Heal Race

Before, at the Start Line, waiting for the signal to go....
During, at the last leg of the race, kicking it in....
After, with her medal, after she got a water and a banana....
Now, she is ready for the 5k in Clearwater, called the Summer Scorcher next.

Bored

The girls were bored yesterday,so they played the mummy game.
And then, they baked a giant cookie.

Sorry...

Cute boy did not show up at the swim party. He is a sophomore at Kapaun (I know), and his soccer coach called a special practice for Wednesday morning for conditioning, so he had to go to that instead.
His name is Christopher, and he used to go to SMM, he left in 5th grade. The girls have known him a long time now, but he only recently became a "hottie with a body" as they say.
There is a little jealousy going on with the whole situation right now, because he is more interested in talking to Valleri than someone else, who initially got hold of him, but I am hoping there will be no hard feelings in the future, and as I always told the girls they can be friends with whoever they want to be friends with, they just need to respect others feelings along the way.
I will keep you posted....

It will finally happen....

The boy every girl I know has a crush on, is coming to the swim party tomorrow.
They are all planning their wardrobes as I type.
Let the games begin!

If you are lucky I will post pix tomorrow.
Stay tuned....

Sugar Would Melt...

Mark went above and beyond his usual level of sweetness, last night.
On Mondays and Thursdays I take Val on her run, then on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday Mark does it. It was so HOT last night, Mark, out of the blue, offered to take Val for me, because it was too hot for me to be out.
I thought this was so sweet of him! Everyone knows how much I love the cold and hate the heat, so I really appreciated his gesture.
I even left right then, and went to Wal Mart to get those Aqua Cool things that have that gel stuff in them to tie around your neck. If you have never tried them, they really cool a person down fast. It looks like a bandana that you tie around your neck. Anyway, got 1 for him and 1 for Val.
She ran 5.75 miles last night. She wanted to do 6, buy her coach Mark wanted her not to push it because of the heat. All of them got some distance knocked off their run.
Long story short-Mark is sweet. He must think I am sweeter though,since he was out there and didn't melt. I probably would have. Next time there is a blizzard, I will go out for him.
Oh, one more thing-Happy Late Birthday to Garrett. I missed it by 1 day.

The Golden Arches

My nephew,Tim, got his first job. He is working at McDonald's in Derby. The store shares a parking lot with Raeann's so we are very familiar with it.
He got the job Friday,and had his first day yesterday. I have not spoken to him yet, but he has quite a few friends who work at that store, so I am sure he is having a good time.
It was a long road. I think over the summer, he filled out over 20 applications. I heard a lot of the problem is that, there are a lot of "family people" holding down 2 or more jobs because of the price of gas, and bills. It's the same all over, it seems. My Aunt in Tennessee, even, started asking if places were hiring for her grandson, because he had such trouble finding work.
I am really proud of Tim though. I think this job will be good for him. He can keep it during the school year too, so that makes him and his parents happy, because now he will be earning his own money.
Some of Val's friends have started saying how much they want their own jobs, but I think that is kind of sad. They are just starting High School,they need to enjoy being kids a while longer I think. THere is plenty of time to grow up, after you are old enough to actually get a job. At least wait until you are 15. Most places don't hire until 16 though.
In any case, I am proud of Tim. I hope he remembers I only like cheese and onion on my cheeseburgers. I'll have to remind him.

The Heel Heal

We have to take Valleri this weekend to sign up so she can run in the Heel Heal. It is a race to promote dental health. Her little running club, The Pavement Pounders, are all going to run the race together. She was supposed to have run in the one in Newton on July 5, but it was going to be very early in the morning, and we were up late the night before. Maybe next year!
Anyway, the most important part of the race, is that she will get a t shirt at the registration. She loves to get t shirts for the different things she does.I think they may get pedometers too, I will have to check that out.
Her race is next Saturday, by which time she should be up to running 6 miles a day. Right now she is at a 5 mile run a day, This race will be 2 miles. Should be a cake walk! Get it, walk, and she is running.HA!
So, she is happy, and maybe she will see some cute boys there!

The Tides Are Turning.....

JUSTICE!!!!!!

The police found my mom and dad's van. You know,it was stolen from their house during a burglary on Sunday night/Monday morning.
Apparently, the theives ditched it at a gas station on West St. on Monday morning. The gas station said it has been there since Monday, sitting in one of their stalls, they thought it was broken down. When noone came for it, or called them, they called the police today, and when they ran the license plate, it came up stolen, so they called my mom and dad.
My dad and Tim went and retrieved it, and the only damage done, is a dent in the back bumper. Even the car seat is still in there. Nothing else was taken, and there was no damage. They think that they may have paniced at my parents ( heard a noise) and stole it to get away and then ditched it, far from their house.

The keys are still missing, but they changed the locks to their house. The police also believe that they probably threw the keys away, because, that would link them to the crime.

The only thing that still kind of creeps me out, is that my mom had the girl's pictures from school on her keychain. It makes me a little sick to think they saw them. Yuck!

But, a happy ending, to be sure.

What Day Is Today?

Today is Landon's Birthday!

It's your birthday, make a mess!

It's your birthday, wear a dress!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDON!!!!!!!!!

Well, maybe not wear a dress, but it rhymed! Happy birthday sweet Landon!!

Double Digits. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have brought us all a lot of joy over the years, you Lego Lover!!!!!!!

Oh, What A Bad Week. And It's Only Tuesday!

My family has had a really suck week so far.
On Sunday night/Monday morning, my parents house was robbed of cash and their van was also stolen. That has been a nightmare. They have another car, but this evening, as my mom left from a church service at All Saints, she couldn't start the car, because the battery had died. Mark and my dad got it started, and then he went and bought a new one, but it has been very stressful.
Yesterday, I was leaving the Park with Val after her run, and our car wouldn't start. Her coach, Mark V. got it started for us though. Another battery issue, it seems.
My sister also had car trouble because a belt fell off her car, which got fixed, but now their dryer is broken.
I haven't spoken to either of my brothers, and I don't think I want to, who knows what tragedy will befall us next.
It would be nice to have a week off.
I am going into hiding Thursday, and don't plan to surface until Monday or Tuesday.
Hope your week is better. I want to steal some of your luck if it is......

HOOPS AND YOYO

This is Hoops and Yoyo. And the little guy is Piddles.

Last year, we discovered them on Hallmark.com. I am pretty sure that everyone who reads this blog has at some time received an ecard from us, and the only ones we send are Hoops and Yoyo.

Emily wants her room redone this fall. She really wants a Hoops and Yoyo theme, but there is really nothing available, so Mark is going to paint their pictures on the walls. He is pretty artistic, and they are an easy to draw shape,so I am confident that he will make some cute murals on the walls.

The rest of her room will be done in Whites, Pinks, and Greens. And maybe some coffee thrown on the walls for good measure. It is Liquid Heaven after all.

All Was Rosey In Rose Hill

Shelbie's softball team played in a tournament this weekend in Rose Hill. The game that we went to was against a team from Lyons KS. Shelbs team won. I think it was because I was in attendance. That had to be it!

They played a really great game! Her team is coached by her dad, Mark's brother Tim. I called him Coach Bootey, because he hurt his foot earlier in the week, and was supposed to be wearing a boot on his foot, but was not at the game. I called him Coach Bootey anyway. I will always think of him that way, I think. Hee Hee.

Emily made a Spirit Shirt to wear, in her support of her Bestie, and Cousin all rolled into one.

And, the best thing is, Shelbie is #21. That was the same number that each of the girls have worn in all the sports they have played at SMM. When the number was available, that is.

Anyway, Good Job Shelbie. I was very proud of you, and wished I could have seen more!!!!!!

Loves and Hugs!!!!!

The Dirt Bowl

This is my favorite bowl. I pop popcorn in it. I mix brownies and cookies in it. French fries, salads, goulash, you name it.

When Gary died, Mark was working at Blockbuster Video, in El Dorado for Larry Fugate. His immediate "supervisor" was a man named Geoff. Geoff sent a beautiful cactus arrangement in this bowl to the funeral, so we took it home, when the flowers were divided.

Of course, if you know me, you know that I don't have a green thumb, and I eventually killed off all the cactus. Almost an impossible feat! The bowl sat on our table for a while. I don't know why I didn't throw it out, but I kept it, and started using it. The girls were tiny at the time, and they are the ones who started requesting the dirt bowl, and the name stuck.

It will always be my favorite thing I keep in my kitchen I think, because it reminds me of Gary every time I use it, and also of the girls being "little".

This Was Yesterday.....

Have you ever thought something was going to be so easy and simple, and not take a lot of time, and then it turns into a disaster????? Not a disaster really, but more time than you think it will?

I woke up the little darlings at 8:15, so we could start our day. We went to the bank, and then had to run back home because I forgot something. Then we were on our way, the first stop was to take Val's skirts to be hemmed and altared. Easy right? Actually, that was, even though the skirts reached Val's ankles, at the initial try on. I thought that would be fine, but she insisted on showing a little leg. Well, to the knee at least.
Val's school uniform this year requires a white oxford shirt. Those should be easy to find, right? RIGHT???? WRONG!!!!!!!
First, we tried WalMart. Nothing. They did have navy blue knee socks though, and Val needed some of those also, but she wanted the dark green. Not navy blue. Probably because I could find navy blue. So we moved onward.
Target was next. No white dress shirt. No knee socks in navy or dark green. HUH????!!!!!!
JCPenney was next up. I was starting to lose my patience. No socks. I told Val if all that was available was navy, that is what she would get,and too bad, so sad! She was not happy.
We searched for the white shirt. I was looking and calling Parker Uniform at the same time. Just as I found one, Parker picked up, so I asked how much the shirts there were, and it turned out that they were $16 cheaper at Parker than the ones I found at Penney's.
I don't know why I didn't just go there in the first place. It didn't even cross my mind to try there honestly. I must have had a mental block against the poor place, thinking that I already had the skirts, and the actual uniform store was going to be too pricey, but it wasn't,and you know what else? They had the green socks too.
5 pairs.
Peace was once again restored to the land.

While Tarah and Emily swam, the other kids had a good time playing video games. Tommy and Jeremiah are Juniors at Kapaun, and I haven't really seen them in 2 years, then, of course there was Zach and Tianna. All these kids go/will go to Kapaun next year, except Val. Then, Lauren has been obsessed with texting recently. Isn't she just the most adorable thing ever? Love her!

Everyone else went on a fishing trip with Fr Richard, so we decided to invite some new kids to hang with. They had a good time!

This Is What Kapaun Does To You....

The Burger King King

My brother Brian, doesn't read my blog. You can read his on kwch.com, but I know that there are a lot of you that read a lot of them every day, and who wants to keep up with one of an almost total stranger?

Anyway, he hates the Burger King King. He freaks him out. Those commercials where he is looking in a window, or popping up in a bedroom. So, I, being the kind and understanding sister that I am, decided to get him one for Christmas. I think it is the perfect gift. I am planning on wrapping it in velvet, and doing some kind of presentation.

If we celebrated on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve, I think I would have Megahn wearing it in bed when he woke up. Instead, I may scheme with her to come over early on our Birthdays and wear it as I sit on the edge of his bed, so when he wakes up, I will be right there, in his face. That would be a good 35th birthday for him, and freaking him out would be a good 36th birthday for me!

I also got another Christmas gift for someone who reads this blog, so I cannot give any info about that.

Anyway, a room update- Emily's will be decorated in HOOPS & YOYO and and Val's is in purples and limes.

I Have Done The Impossible

I got Mark excited for Christmas. I know, right. It is crazy!!!
Ok, you know I start planning crazy early, so yesterday, I was looking at my list, because I bought a couple of presents, and was writing them down, and then, we started talking about Santa Claus presents. So, we just put it out there to Val. What is she thinking about. We gave her a few suggestions, and she said that what she really would like is a brand new room.
New bed.
New floor.
New door.
New paint.
New everything.
So, that means major destruction/construction. It is perfect. Mark does the work, and I do the shopping. Emily is on board too. She also wants hers redone.
They will have to sleep on the pullout sofa for a few weeks, but they were also fine with that.
As soon as we are done, I am going to wrap their doors, so they won't see anything until Christmas.
Each girl is going to help on the other's room, so this way, Mark gets to spend quality time with them too. So, like when he is doing Emily's room, Val will help him, and reverse.
I think it will be good. They won't have as much under the tree, but that is their sacrifice. And mine.

Her Future's So Bright....

...her dog wears the shades.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY!

Today is Nanny's birthday. She is 59.

N- is for nuts. Every year on her birthday, she buys her grandkids birthday gifts (and wraps

them). Why? Because noone can tell you what to do on your birthday!

A-is for angelic. Nanny goes to church at least once a day. Sometimes twice. She has 3 different

parishes she attends. My brother said he is going to heaven only by piggy-backing on her

graces.

N-is for nice. Everyone says she is nice. She is friends to many. Anything you need, just ask her.

N-is for new sandals. That is what we got her this year. Same as the girls sandals, except the

strap goes straight across her foot. Not into the toe.

Y-is for young looking. She has some gray hair, but hardly any wrinkles.

Of course, there is more to be said about my mom. She is sweet, polite, a great cook ( calzones and fried chicken strips are faves). She has a swimming pool, and anyone who wants to go swimming can, anytime. She always says her door is open to you, even if she is not home.

Everybody calls her Nanny, because that is what Tim named her when he started talking.

Nanny worked for years as a nurse at St Joseph hospital. Now she is a volunteer parish nurse at St Margaret Mary. Her parents were founding members of that parish. She, 1 of her sisters and her brother all graduated from SMM. Really, you can see their pictures on the wall. All of her grandkids have gone there. Tim and Val graduated from there, Emily is going there now, so is Connor, in preschool, and Noah goes to PSR (Parish School of Religion) there, since he goes to public school. And, all her kids, graduated from there. A lot of her life is wrapped up in that place.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY! I LOVE YOU!

RED,WHITE,AND EMILY

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!!!!!

I got my sandals for Christmas a few years ago from Gram Cracker. You know, shoe Grandma.

Emily loves red, white,and blue more than anyone I know. She chose the grey gloves to wear today, because they have stars on them.

Splits! Is she bananas??????

See Emily.

See Emily practice her splits.

See Emily only is about 1/2 inch off the ground.

She will have them soon!

Flashdance Flashback

Check, Check, Check it out!

Emily saw a picture of this in one of those teen magazines that she is addicted to, and just HAD TO HAVE THEM.

Onward to Claire's. We have made 2 trips there and came up with these pairs so far. They have more, but these were their faves so far.

They are kind of funky, and remind me of stuff we wore in the 80's.

Does anyone else remember these little gems?????

Christmas In July

That's right. It is July. 6 months to Christmas, which is my favorite season of the year. I love the winter. I love the cold. And, I love finding the perfect gift for the perfect person.
I always begin at Christmas time. I see what people get and how they react to their gifts, and I keep a notebook all year long, writing down people's interests, and if we are out, what they look at, or say they want, or need.
It is quite a process. Sometimes it works , sometimes, it doesn't. I am really getting down to it now though. I have a list with everyone I buy for, and gift ideas for each person, and all that is left to do now is shop. Unless, a better idea presents itself.
So, I will start on it soon. I never worry though, if I get one thing, but something else comes up, because if I don't return it, I will give it to them for birthday.
I wonder if Mark would put up the Christmas tree. He would probably kill me if he came home and it was up, but I love our tree. It is silver, and only 4 feet tall, but I keep it on a box, with all the presents around it, and the lights sparkle off the silver....
The other thing I love about Christmas is the movies. I have a big collection of Christmas dvd's and I watch them as soon as it gets cold, but I will try to sneak some in now, since it is Christmas in July.