On this day in history...

I was born 28 years ago today. And no, I have no qualms about admitting my age...I mean, heck, there's still a 2 in the front of it. Yes, I was born on tax day. At least my parents never forgot it. I was also born on my sister's 13th birthday. She said I was the present she couldn't get rid of. But since I love her so much, I'll let you do the math on your own to find out how old she is.

So, what do I have to show for the 28 years I've been on this earth? Nobby asked me last year on my birthday what I had learned since the previous year. And I couldn't really think of much on the spot. I guess it's because when you're living life and keeping busy, sometimes you don't stop and reflect as often as you should. Well, here's some of what I can reflect on now.

• I am healthy and happy in my life. I overcame some pretty serious health problems as a baby and am healthier now than many people. This is a real blessing.
• I have been blessed with some of the best friends, from childhood through today. I remember Niki from 1st grade, Brandy and Mike in junior high, Kim in Texas, Rosa in Alamo, Jen through it all, many ladies from church, and my LonDolls. You all make life rich.
• I have been blessed with an amazing family. I have parents that support me through everything, their only reward sometimes was seeing me happy. They guided me through my first parenting experiences, helping me make decisions that would later bless my life. I have siblings that are so varied, interesting, and are good people. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents...through good times and bad, through frustration and smiles....we have always loved each other.
• I have had some great educational opportunities. I finished high school thanks to my parents and their love for me and Mister. I was not only encouraged, but expected, to go to college. Looking back now, that was so smart of my parents because I never worried about if I could do it. I knew I could and would. Through the unfailing support of H, I am not only able to continue that vision of education, but I was also able to fulfill a dream of travelling to London that even I didn't realize would mean so much to me.
• I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. To know that I am a daughter of God has been the most important knowledge I have attained. He loves me and wants me and my family to do well. Unlike many times previously, I now know that the difficult times are not there to bring me down, but to lift me up and help me to prove, even to myself, that I can do it, that I have more in me than I think. He knows me best and he knows what's best for me.
• H. When I met him, I thought that he was the best person I had ever met. He earnestly seeks ways to help others and is always willing to lend his hand, time, and ear. He is humble, patient, loving, and so full of the gifts and Spirit of God. He has put up with me when I was stubborn, patient when I was rebellious, and firm when he knew I was wrong, but also kind enough to not directly point at my mistake. He is a considerate companion and a loving, concerned father. Sure, he has faults, but they are always outweighed by every other aspect of him. I was only 19 when we married and it definitely has not been an easy ride over the years. But each year has been better than the last, and the last few have been pretty good. I am really blessed to have him as my friend and companion.
• My children. I started motherhood pretty young and ill-prepared. However, I was blessed with understanding parents and a strong support system. Mister was always surrounded with love and care, even when his mom was still trying to grow up herself. After H and I married, we knew that there was another little one waiting to join us. So, 10 months later, Tiny was born. Mister and Tiny have been inseparable since. Two young ones was tough for a newly married 19-year-old. But they always made me smile and were eager to give love when they saw I needed it. They are happy, healthy kids that get along 95% of the time, which I think is a sibling record. They know they are loved and seem to be quite comfortable in who they are. What more can a mom hope for? And now, we're expecting another healthy boy. He is energetic and I already love him so much. Mister and Tiny are eagerly anticipating meeting him and H is a mixture of thankfulness and worry. Me too.

I would say that I have been pretty blessed in my 28 years on the earth. Sure, things can be tough sometimes. Sometimes money is tight, depression rears its ugly head once in a while, math homework can be frustrating, the roof leaks, and cars break down at inconvenient times. But all of these things are temporary and miniscule in the grand panorama of life. Family, friends, health...those are things that I am thankful for. Oh, and the privilege of growing older.

Blue, for the boys I love

Nobby has set the date for my baby shower to be on the 26th. We will also be having Hobby's bachelorette party that night. So, it will be a fun-filled LonDolls day. My shower will be at 4 p.m. and Hobby's party is at 7 p.m. It will be a festive day for all. I'm really excited. I know Hobby will be a beautiful bride, if she doesn't pull all her hair out first from the wedding planning, school finals, and work. I am also looking forward to getting cute things for my new little guy.

Having a boy, I've been remembering when Mister was a baby lately. He was such a cute one, not that I was biased or anything. He had a full head of dark hair and was BIG. Looking back, it seems a bit surreal because I was so young and clueless. But I had a lot of help from my family. And Mister and I always had each other. I remember one night when Mister wasn't even two yet, after I got home from school and work. He was really tired and cranky, but he didn't want to go to bed and I was getting frustrated. So, I picked him up, put him in the car, and we went for a drive. We stopped and got a treat at the gas station and drove up into the foothills to a spot where you can see the whole city. It was dark and the city lights were the only thing lighting up the valley. We sat on the hood of the car, ate our snack and chatted (well, as much as you can with a 2 year old).

I remember thinking that no matter how hard things got, that he was mine, we had each other, and things didn't always have to work perfectly. Bedtime didn't have to be exactly at 8 p.m. Going for a drive was a lot better than fussing over bedtime. And I loved him no matter what. Sure, I was young, single and pretty naive. But I loved him, and he loved me. It didn't seem that much else had to matter.

He's 11 now and growing up faster than I thought. He still has the same tender heart though. So, I would have to say that my track record with my first boy gives me plenty of hope for raising the next.

New Belly Pic...6 Months

Here it is...6 months along now. Matthew is growing big and healthy. And below is the pic from when i was about 5 months along, for comparison.

I could use a shot of energy.

I could really use a Mountain Dew Amp. I haven't had one since before we started trying to get pregnant, back in October. I know, I know...I can't have one. It's not that I'm craving one, it's just that I'm so darn tired. I know that it comes with the territory of carrying and developing a whole other person in my belly. But, I would love some extra energy right about now. I'm a pretty unmotivated person as it is when it comes to cleaning and organizing around the house. But, I could really use some bursts of energy to help me get this house in some kind of shape before the baby comes along. I plan to have the nursery painted before my baby shower at the end of the month. I want to be able to move everything right up into the room and set it up after the shower.

So, yeah, I could really use some energy. I subbed on Tuesday, and you all know how that went. Wednesday, I did some science experiments with Mister's class and today, I gave a volunteer lesson on business to his class. I'll be doing four more of those classes in the next couple of weeks. I think it went pretty well today. It was just draining today to run errands, prepare the lesson and then present it. It's frustrating when it's only 4 p.m. and I'm already ready to go to bed. I'm hoping to get some cleaning done tomorrow before the kids get home at 1 p.m. and then go to theater. Wish me luck.

Heaven on a Spoon

I got my Lofte's pizza last night. And my pitcher of rootbeer. And it was perfect. Our friend, Mark, is the head chef there and the pizza is his own recipe. And it's awesome. I told him that that is exactly how pizza should taste. After three slices of pizza and three glasses of rootbeer, I was one happy woman.

And then, he suggested dessert. I wondered what he had up his sleeve. He went in the back and brought out two dishes of chocolate pudding. I took my first taste, closed my eyes and was in heaven. The taste was a cross between a fudge brownie and chocolate icing. Just perfect. I completely savored each bite, and also some of the kids'. It was wonderful. Just when I thought I had tasted his best, he brings out something new. I would have to say that that pudding is now my favorite dessert. That man can sure cook, and create. That pudding made up for the whole rest of the day.

The 7th Circle of H*** is in Room 216

OH MY GOSH! I am sooo tired. Days like today reaffirm my decision that I do not want to teach elementary or secondary education. I am just worn out. I have substituted for this 6th grade class before that I worked with today. They are a wild group, probably numbering close to 30 (too many for one class, if you ask me) and they are mostly boys. The first couple of times I subbed for them, I thought I was going to go insane. But, surprisingly, they calmed down more each time I came around and were easier to handle. Not today. One of the teachers said it might be spring fever. I don't know what it is, but they couldn't sit still, stay quiet, or focus for more than 30 seconds today. It's a miracle I didn't lose my voice from just trying to be heard over the chaos.

Don't get me wrong, these aren't bad kids. Getting to know each of them, they are bright and funny people. It's just when you put them in the same room at the same time that they somehow transform into a wild, uncontrollable mob. They want to chat about movies or gross "boy" observations or video games or, basically, anything other than what they should be working on. After recess and lunch, they come back even more riled. When half of them were occupied outside the class, the remaining half were quiet, busy and pleasant. But it would go back to a junior high version of "Animal House" when they returned (without the perversity and food fights, thankfully).

Anyway, I'm tired. I told H that the next time that particular teacher calls for me to sub, the answer will probably be 'no'. At least once. After that, I'll probably go soft again and put the weariness out of my memory and foolishly say 'yes'. But for now, I think I deserve an Italiano pizza from Lofte's and a pitcher of rootbeer.

Spring Break '08...Cancun Has Nothing on Us!

Our trip plan was to drive through Vegas on our way to the Grand Canyon, then over to NM to stay with my family for a few days, and then on to Colorado Springs, CO to visit my brother and his family, and finally head home. We had about a week to do all of this in. I love a good road trip but H hates being in a car for that long. But, he endured.

First, we drove south, through Vegas and stayed at the Boulder City Hotel and Casino. This was certainly not the fanciest hotel, but the customer service was excellent. In the morning, we went for a hike on a trail they had that overlooked Lake Mead. Cocoa, our dog, loved the hike and the

weather was gorgeous, sunny and cool. I took pics of H and the kids near this huge rock, and they each did their best "Nacho Libre" pose.

On our way out, we drove over the Hoover Dam. As impressive as it is, I'm afraid that the bypass bridge they're building over it stole some of its thunder. It is soooo high and the beams alone are monstrously tall. I couldn't stop staring up at them. It's one amazing undertaking. And just to show how much history we're teaching our kids, their reaction at Hoover Dam was to recall all the scenes from "Transformers" that were filmed there.

From there, we drove on to the Grand Canyon. I gotta tell you, that is one heck of a drive. You have to go down below the park and then head all the way to the east edge. It took forever. At one point, we thought we were going to run out of gas because there was nothing for miles ahead of us. We were able to find one gas station, with the old-fashioned pumps (we're talking about rotary digits and only a pump sticking out of the ground) in a small town on the way to the new skywalk bridge. Apparently, the bridge costs an arm and some thigh muscle to enter, park, and pay to walk on the bridge. So, we chose to drive onto the far end, since that was the original plan anyway. The gas station was cool though.

And, on we drove. We made it to the Grand Canyon before the sun started setting and it was beautiful. Everytime we would move to another viewpoint and the sun would set a little more, it was like seeing a whole new canyon. It was really beautiful. That was the first time me and the kids had been there. H had been there once before when he was a kid. He said that he remembered that when he saw it, it made him want to pee his pants. His words, not mine.

It was awesome to hear the many different languages being spoken there. People come from all over the world to see this amazing sight. Near the lookout, there is a weathered rock where people had thrown coins on it when there was water on it and from throwing them over the edge. There were coins from all over the world on it.

Our next destination was 12 hours away and we did it in one night. We pulled up to my parents' house at 6 a.m. the next morning, really tired. But it was great to see my parents. They've done a lot of new things to their house and it's looking really nice. They have also quit smoking, and hadn't had a cigarette in four weeks! I had noticed the absence of the smoke smell in the house. I was so proud of them. This is the umpteenth time they've tried to quit and they seem to be really working at it. I really hope they can succeed this time. They also looked a lot healthier too. To combat the urges to smoke, they keep really busy at work and around the house. The result is that they both have also lost some weight. So, send a prayer and some good thoughts their way that they'll be able to keep it up.

We stayed with them for almost 5 days. We spent Easter at my Grandma's house with a lot of my cousins, aunts and uncles. It was good to see everyone and the kids had a blast with their cousins. They hunted Easter eggs and ran around playing all kinds of games. My grandma looked good, ornery as ever, but healthy. My Uncle Joe looked tired, but otherwise like he was doing okay. Unfortunately, my mom just updated me that he is developing a lot of mouth sores from the radiation and lost some more weight. So, the doctor has decided to put a feeding tube into his stomach in order to keep him fed and maintaining his weight and hydration with IVs if needed. So, definitely please send prayers his way.

So, after spending a relaxing time with my folks, it was time to pile back in the truck and head to Colorado Springs, where my brother is stationed with the Air Force. The plan was to stay there for about a day and a half before heading home. H was not eager to get back on the road at all. I think he would have bought another house in NM just to avoid having to drive ever again. But, we were off.

We arrived at my brother's house at about 11 p.m. that night and got settled in. The next day, my brother was off from work and we just relaxed around the house before going to a bookstore later and then a movie at the theater. The kids loved spending time with their other, older cousins and Tiny was already trying to plan our next trip to see them.

Unfortunately, we had to load up again and finally head home. Our trip home was about 9 hours and we drove straight through. Everything went pretty smooth, except for this little hiccup.

We had a complete blowout of the right front tire. I actually saw the tread roll off by my window. Thankfully, H was driving and was able to pull over easily. It took a while to change the tire and it was flippin' cold outside, but he did the job pretty well. We arrived home at about 11 p.m. and we were exhausted. But we were thankful to be home, safe, and had fun visiting everyone. But, I think next time, we'll be doing a little less driving and a lot more relaxing.

A Quickie...(hee hee)

Yeah, I'm busted. I got my new cord a few days ago and still haven't posted anything. But, in my defense, I had to have a full day of alone time with my computer to get reacquainted and catch up on stuff. I also have been working hard on the house and subbed on Friday. So, there are my excuses.

Updates: I have a list of housework and changes to the house I want to make before the baby comes along. Cause Heaven knows that not much will be getting done after he's here. Nobby is planning to throw me a baby shower before the end of this month. She's still trying to set up a date that works for everyone.

Hobby is getting married on the 3rd of May and planning anything with her is like trying to nail down a feather blowing in the wind. (If I was from Texas, I would probably be able to come up with a better analogy than that.) She is working two jobs, taking a full load of grad courses and trying to plan her own wedding in the next three weeks. We are still planning to throw her a bachelorette party the week before the wedding.

OH! I have a new toy! I bought myself a new car! It's a 2000 Toyota Sienna minivan and I love how it drives. It's the first car I've bought all on my own. I took out a loan in my own name and registered it and everything. It felt awesome. I know, kinda weird that I'm turning 28 soon and this is the first vehicle I've bought on my own, huh? Well, I cosigned on a car with H once when we first got married, but this is all mine. And I would looove to post a pic of it for you to see, but that will have to wait. See, along with every other electrical device we own, our camera too seems to have conked out on us. If I can't get it working, I'll be calling the company for a replacement since we've only had it since December.

But I'm sooo happy with my van.

Other than all that, there's not much new going on. I will still be posting about our trip and working my bum off around the house. Hope you're all having a blast with life.

The Electrical Gods are Casting Their Fury Upon Us

My laptop power cord is officially deceased. I just ordered a new one from Toshiba and it will be arriving in a few days. This is not a new problem. My first cord was damaged when H, and I'm sure others as well, tripped over the cord. So, I bought a generic one on eBay and that only lasted a few weeks before just conking out. A comp-savvy friend was kind enough to fix the first (original) cord for me, but something seems to have slowly killed that one on our trip. It even made a sad, little whine before it died. So, while ordering from the company directly will cost more, it comes with a one year warranty. So, hang in there, I will be posting about our vacation, complete with pics (that are currently on my battery-drained laptop) soon. Keep checking back.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that our TV and both vehicles are also dying. Yeah, we're in a prolonged state of mourning around here. When it rains, it pours.

I'm Baaaaack!

We're finally home. I have so much to write about and share with you about our tri-state trip. Unfortunately, luggage is waiting to be unpacked, some of us will be hungry soon, and I just wore out the power cord for my computer for the third time. I'm hoping it is a temporary problem. But I promise to be on again soon and post all the adventure and a lot of pics. Hope you're all well and had a great Easter week.

Fair Warning

Don't expect any new posts for the next week and a half. We're off to make the most of the kids' spring break. I'll post all about our travels and adventures when we get back, with lots of pics too. Hope you are all enjoying your Spring. Take care.

Updates, Cravings, and Shift Work with George

The weekend was a pretty mellow one. Friday, the kids had theater class and we didn't do much else since the brakes on our only working vehicle were pretty much kaput and it was snowing...again. Saturday, H bought new brake pads, rotors and a new caliper to fix the car. I had volunteered to babysit for some friends while they went out on a much needed date. Their kids and ours have always gotten along great. The only problem was their 7-month-old daughter that was unhappy her mommy wasn't there and uncomfortable because she was cutting a new tooth. After trying to appease her with any toy I could find, I fed her some bananas and rocked her until she passed out. Thankfully, she stayed snoozing until her parents came back. Of course, then she was all smiles.

During this time, H took some friends out to look at houses, and left two of their kids with me as well. In all, I had eight kids in the house. After H returned, he crashed for the night and I was worried that we wouldn't have a vehicle to get to church in the morning. At 2:30 a.m. though, he woke up from his looooong nap and got to work on the car. It was done and working great before church. I love when he gets mechanical. It makes me appreciate him so much. Sunday, we went to church, taught our lessons and headed home.

Big news this week: we had a new nephew enter the world. H's older brother and his wife had their first child on Tuesday and he was a big, healthy boy. He weighed about 8 lb. 9 oz. and was 20 inches long. Being born via caesarean, he was also a nice, plump, non-alien looking baby. It's amazing to look at a newborn and realize that they are so new and have just left heaven. Just amazing.

Spring break is next week for the kids and we are going to take full advantage of it. We've decided to head down to the Grand Canyon for a day (me and the kids have never been there), then head over to southern NM to visit my family for Easter and stay for about 4 days, and then head home via Colorado to visit my brother and his family for a day or so. It's a full itinerary, but we're pretty good at trying to keep things mellow and enjoying it. We also have about 10 days to do it all. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and to taking a good trip before the baby arrives. My mom is already planning to spoil us all with good food, shopping for the kids, baby clothes, and bedding for the nursery. The kids are excited and I can't wait to see them egg-hunting with their cousins.

So, back to daily stuff. I have only had a few cravings so far in this pregnancy. I have an ongoing taste for fry sauce that I don't indulge very often. A couple weeks ago, I wanted cheesecake from Costco because they put a yummy frosting on the top. So, H indulged me and bought one. The problem, however, was that I forgot how big they are and it took a week to eat. Needless to say, I am over that craving. And now, it's brownies. Homemade brownies. I have made a few batches already in the last few weeks and I could still eat more. 3/4 of the cheesecake having been eaten, it amazingly didn't reflect on my weight check at my last appointment. Hope that keeps up.

And now, a little sharing. Most mornings, I get on the computer, read the news, check some accounts, and read my favorite blogs. This morning, I went to Apartment Therapy The Kitchen and saw this delicious cake that made me pine away for Spring even more.

Isn't it beautiful?
And after opening up some much neglected email, I found a notice from my university about a program I would loooove to enroll in. It is called Writers in New York and is offered through NYU. Aspiring poets and fiction writers can take creative writing courses at NYU while living in and experiencing New York. The goal is to encourage the writers to immerse themselves in the unique opportunity that is NY, while living and studying in Greenwich Village. It sounds like heaven to me. The program is four weeks long, and is ridiculously expensive, much more than my trip to London. But, oh, the experience and the writing and the creativity. I don't plan on this being a possibility in the near future, being that I'm carrying around my third bun-in-the-oven. But, hey, maybe in a couple of years. And with the whole family this time. I would love to experience NY with H and the kids. Did I mention that I've never been there before? But, hey, maybe this program will peak the interest of one of you.

WE'RE HAVING A ......

BOYBOYBOYBOYBOYBOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, we're not having that many, but it's definitely a boy! He was not shy at all about letting us know that he was a boy. H and the kids went with me to the ultrasound and got to see some great video of the baby. The office has a big screen tv on the wall that shows everything and it sure beats the heck out of those mini-screen monitors that they used to use. We were given a lot of the pictures and even a dvd of it.

I could tell from the looks on the kids' faces that they thought it was pretty awesome. They smiled with each movement of the baby and the tech pointed out each body part. And the baby had just woken up when she started the ultrasound, so he was moving around a lot and we got a great look at him. The tech and the doctor said that everything looks perfect and healthy.

I remember when I had my ultrasound when I was pregnant with Mister, I didn't get to keep a picture. With Tiny, I got a couple of pictures. And, now, they do a lot of pics and a dvd. Aaaand, I didn't have to fill my bladder to uncomfortable levels either. I guess they don't require it anymore. I'm pretty grateful for that.

So, we will be welcoming Baby Matthew at the end of July. I had a strong hunch that it might be a boy because of a dream. When H and I were dating, I had a dream that we had Mister (he was about 2 yrs old when H and I met) and a baby girl. Well, less than a year later, we had Tiny. A few years ago, I had a dream that someone asked how many kids I had and I told them I had three, and I then told them the names of Mister, Tiny, and Matthew. A few days after I had this dream, H told me that Matthew is the name he had thought of if we were to have another boy. So, I guess that these dreams are really something to pay attention to. I'm just so glad that everything looks good.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Matthew.

A pretty cute profile.

His face. A little blurry.

His little foot.

Yep, it's a boy!

World Peace...one country song at a time.

About four years ago, I called in to a radio contest and actually got through. The contest was to enter a pumpkin drop competition (it was around Halloween) and the ultimate prize was tickets to see Toby Keith. So, I, along with the other contestants, dressed up in Halloween outfits and showed up at a downtown shopping center where there is a really tall water tower. We had to climb to the top of the water tower and each drop our pumpkin off the edge and try to land it in a cutout sunroof of a junker car. Whoever landed their pumpkin in the car won the tickets, or even the one that got closest to it, if no one got it in.

I was about the fourth person to drop my pumpkin. My kids had chosen the pumpkin from the store and painted it up for the contest. So, I took a deep breath and let it fly. AND IT LANDED IN THE CAR!!! I was shocked and let out a loud scream of joy and waved to H and the kids down on the ground. I was the only one to land it in there. It felt awesome! So, H and I got the concert tickets and, apparently, I was even on a short interview on the news that night, though I never saw it.

Opening for Toby Keith was Terri Clark. This woman is one of my favorite performers. Her songs are so awesome. That night, she performed a song that had just begun to get playtime on the radio, but was not yet released on CD. It was titled "The World Needs a Drink". I loved that song and was hoping she would play it. I don't think this song was nearly as popular as it should have been. Sometimes you hear a country song that is incredibly clever, ironic, or just catchy. And that is why I love country music...they really know how to turn a phrase.

LonDolls Update

Mody, Hobby, Birdy (me), and Nobby

Dinner with the LonDolls was great, except that we were without the wonderful Trippy because she got stuck at work. Hobby (blonde in the middle) took the opportunity to announce that she is ENGAGED! She has been dating the lucky guy for more than a few years and they will be getting married on May 3rd. We're so happy for her and hope to give her a hen party (bachelorette) she won't soon forget. Hen parties require a theme. With Nobby's party, she was an angel and we were devils and we went out clubbing in Denver. It was great and we actually went to a club called "The Church". The coincidence truly was random. One suggestion that I made for Hobby's party, and I really was just throwing it out there to be funny, was that she dress as Hugh Hefner and we would be the Playboy bunnies. Although I was just being silly, they loved the idea. So, I'll have to let you know how that pans out.

Another update, Mody is dating, mostly hanging out with, a new guy. He came by the restaurant after we had eaten so that we could meet him. It didn't take much for us to approve of him. He is a really sweet guy that seems genuine and treats Liz well. He got thumbs up from us all.

In other news, I had an OB appointment today and everything looks good. The doc listened to the baby's heartbeat and said it sounded good. I was a bit shocked that I have only gained 3lbs. in the last month. H brought home a Costco cheesecake last week and we've been working our way through it pretty steadily. I thought for sure that that would reflect in my weight. I'm working things out to have my sonogram soon. I'm just waiting for the insurance to clear it all and then I can schedule it. I'm thinking, if all goes well, we'll be able to find out what we're having this week.

Considering the fact that it's been almost eight years since my last baby was born, I am sorely lacking baby supplies. I passed our crib, swing, high chair, playpen, walker, and more to my cousin about 5 years ago. She has put it all to good use, but I was pretty sure that we would have to start from scratch. But luckily, my mom told me that when we visit at the end of the month, she'd like us to take back a lot of baby stuff with us. They had bought a lot for my brother's little girl and she has outgrown the use of it. So, now their room is cluttered with baby stuff. So, we'll be bringing back a swing, playpen, walker, bouncer, and a couple other things. Some friends have already given us a crib, so we are really being provided for. My family has always given us so much. I am incredibly blessed.

The term "sleepover" doesn't always imply any sleep will take place

Have you heard that constant exposure to any noise above that of a single person talking can be harmful to your ears? I heard this recently and am now a believer. Tiny had her first friend sleepover last night. Yep. Her BFF, Romy, is a sweet girl that is very articulate and quite bright. However, when you combine a 7-yr. old, an 8-yr. old, and Mister who is 11, you get quite a volume. Thankfully, they actually fell asleep about midnight, which is pretty rare at any sleepover. And then I was awakened bright and early at about 6:30 a.m. to laughing and talking. Our house may not be small, but sound travels really well through it.

In all the excitement last night, H and I retreated to the dining room where we spent the rest of the evening, having a pretty satisfying, uninterrupted conversation. We then holed up in the bedroom all night. This morning, H hurried off to a seminar for the rest of the day. I tried to sit in the living room for about 5 minutes until the noise was just too much for my apparently "too old" ears. I am once again hiding in the dining room. I will definitely need to remember all this if Tiny ever asks to have a full-blown, 10-girl slumber party. I think the only way that will be happening is if we hire a chaperone and H and I book ourselves into a hotel for the night.

A Very Wonderful Etsy

My endlessly creative friend, Jen, over at The Laundry? It's Never Finished has opened up a new Etsy store, Bliss Home Goods, filled with colorful, whimsical art and crafts that would perk up any home. Some of her products include handpainted art, unique fabric, canvas bags and more. All items are handmade and beautiful. She is adding more items to her store each day and is filled with ideas for future products. So, please take a look and see if she has anything that would perk up your home or space. She is also open to new ideas, so if you have any, let me know and I'll make sure she gets them.

This new store is in addition to her Etsy fabric store, Jen's Bliss, where she sells a variety of fabric. She has added a lot of new patterns since I last posted on it. So, have a look and have some fun.

TGIF

Not much new going on here. I had planned to find out whether we're having a boy or girl on Monday, but it looks like it will be later than that. I'm trying to work out our insurance so that it will be covered before I schedule the sonogram. I will let you know as soon as I know anything.

We're having our carpets cleaned today, in two rooms. The living room and dining/office were looking pretty sad and kinda gross since we haven't had them cleaned since we moved in two years ago. We plan to replace these carpets as soon as we can, but for now, we're making do.

Other than that, I have a pretty full day. We have the carpet cleaning going on, the kids get out early today, I have to sort out the insurance, the kids have theater class, I am meeting the LonDolls for dinner, and finally, I am picking up Tiny's BFF for her first "friend sleep-over". They should have a blast tonight. As will I. I haven't seen my LonDolls since New Year's week. I can tell we've all been going through withdrawals. So, tonight, we're meeting up at our favorite pub for some dinner and a lot of laughs. I'll, of course, fill you in on any major updates. I'm sure they will do their share of rubbing the belly, since I didn't have one yet at our last tea.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend, filled with a lot of fun and a little laziness.

Jeff Healy RIP

TORONTO (AP) — Blind rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has died after a lifelong battle against cancer. He was 41.
Healey died Sunday evening in a Toronto hospital, said bandmate Colin Bray, who was in the room with Healey's family when the guitarist died. The Grammy-nominated Healey rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that gained international acclaim and platinum record sales with the 1988 album "See the Light". The album included the hit single "Angel Eyes".

Healey had battled cancer since age 1, when a rare form of retinal cancer known as Retinoblastoma claimed his eyesight. Due to his blindness, Healey taught himself to play guitar by laying the instrument across his lap. His unique playing style, combined with his blues-oriented vocals, earned him a reputation as a teenage musical prodigy. He shared stages with George Harrison, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Bray said he and many others expected the guitarist to rally from this latest illness.
"I don't think any of us thought this was going to happen," Bray said. "We just thought he was going to bounce back as he always does."
Healey had undergone numerous operations in recent years to remove tumors from his lungs and leg.

Bray and fellow bandmate Gary Scriven remembered their frontman as a musician of rare abilities with a generous nature and wicked sense of humor. Healey's true love was jazz, the genre that dominated his three most recent albums. His love of jazz led him to host radio shows in Canada where he spun long-forgotten numbers from his personal collection of over 30,000 vinyl records. His death came weeks before the release of his first rock album in eight years.
Mess of Blues is slated for a North American release on April 22.

He is survived by his wife, Christie, and two children.
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I first time I saw this musician perform was in the movie "Roadhouse" with Patrick Swayze. Although the movie was definitely not top-notch, this man's music was. Listening to him, you knew that he was born to perform, overcoming any obstacle in his way. So, to honor his great talent, I have posted some of his performances for you to enjoy. Rest in peace.

Rub the belly for good luck

I am now 4 1/2 months along now and things are growing well on the outside. The belly is getting big, but I have to say that compared to my first two, this little one is pretty docile with the moving around. But it surprises me every once in a while with a twinge or a body part trying to squeeze in a tight spot. We will find out if it's a boy or a girl on the 10th and I will definitely let you all know. We'll see which of those names we'll be using and which we'll have to save for next time. So, without further ado...here's the belly.

Now: 4 1/2 months

Before: 3 1/2 months

Tag...You're IT!

So, first, I need to make a correction. This is the website link I meant to post for the most up-to-date Redbox codes. I rented a free one yesterday and another today. But, pay close attention when you're checking out because, if what I thought I saw was correct, it seems that it tells you a time that you need to return it by to not be charged. So, pay close attention before you scan your card in.

Second, the lovely newlywed, Nobby, has tagged all her friends with a meme about our significant others. So, here goes...

1.How long have you been together? In April, it will be 9 years since we met. In August, it will be 9 years we've been married. And we worked hard for every single year.

2.How long did you date? We only dated for 4 months before we got married. Not something I would recommend for everyone.

3.How old is he? He's 31.

4.Who eats more? Definitely him. Even with my growing appetite and eating for two, he's a bigger eater than I will ever be. But you don't get to be a big, strong (handsome) guy eating only salads.

5.Who said I Love You First? Not sure. It was probably him though. I would have been afraid of scaring him off if I had said it first.

6.Who is taller? He is. He's 5'9'' and I'm 5'7''.

7.Who sings better? Neither of us sing great, but it would probably be him.

8.Who is smarter? It's kind of ying and yang. He's smarter, and I mean "knowledgeable", in certain areas and the same for me in others.

9.Who does the laundry? I'm the one that does most of it, but he'll definitely do a load or two when supplies are running short.

10. Who does the dishes? Whoever yields first. I've been getting better at doing them though. Tonight, he offered to do them for me since I had made dinner. He's such a thoughtful person at times.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're facing the bed, he does. It just works out like that most nights. My mom always sleeps on the side farthest from the door. Her reasoning? So, if anyone were to break in, she would be the farthest from them when they come in the room. I know...my poor dad.

12.Who pays the bills? He does, since he's the one on the computer most of the day anyway.

13.Who mows the lawn? He does. I'll weed and water, but he ends up mowing and trimming. He also end up sneezing his head off when he does. Poor thing.

14.Who cooks dinner? It's been pretty split lately. I don't like to cook, but I love good food. I'm a recipe-follower. Things can go seriously awry if I try to improvise or be inventive in the kitchen. So, if I'm beyond tired or frazzled, he'll throw something together that is usually pretty decent.

15.Who is more stubborn? That would be me. Runs in the family, raised that way, trying to overcome it. I am sooo much better than when we first got married.

16.Who kissed who first? I kissed him after our first date. I know, I'm such a hussy. But, he said that it was the softest, most perfect kiss he'd ever had. That'll make a girl feel good.

17.Who asked who out? He asked me out after he got my phone number from the church missionaries. We went to a dance in a nearby village and ended up taking Mister with us on the date. We also had ice cream and had a lot of fun.

18.Who proposed? We sort of both did. I kinda casually asked him while we were up late studying my Spanish and he said yes. Then, later, he asked me after we were leaving a party and walking outside under the starry sky.

19.Who is more sensitive? Depends on the situation. Some things bother me more easily and he doesn't even know I'm bothered. But he's more sensitive when it comes to talking about problems. Sometimes I'm like the boorish husband who'd rather sleep it off than stay up and talk.

20. Who has more friends? I'd say it's about even.

21.Who has more siblings? Definitely him. He's the youngest of 10. I only have 4 siblings.

I now tag all of you! Have fun.

Sharing Time

I am pooped. I am really tired with a good "I accomplished a ton" feeling. I managed to do a couple loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and did the dishes (no small feat), picked up the kids, went to the grocery store, made two dinners and desserts, delivered the meal to our friends from church, and served up dinner. I am tired. And I feel good.

I found this website that lets you know what Redbox codes you can use for a free rental, and where the codes work. So, I tried it today and it did. Now, if I can remember to always return them, we'll be doing good. Oh, by the way, I was taught to share, so here's the website.

I haven't coughed up a lung yet.

'Ello, luvs. Except for a lingering cough, I am back to being fully functional. I only get sick about once a year, but it's usually a doozy. And I have to say that this one really hung on. The kids are still doing great, back to their hyperactive, playful ways. And H never suffered a single symptom.

Being holed up in the house for some time now, we decided to go out for family night last night. A friend from church is the chef at a pizza place on the west side Lofte's, and H had brought home some of his pizza the other night. Well, it was the best pizza I've ever had and I've been craving it since. So, we paid him a visit and enjoyed some italiano pizza, lasagna, garlic bread and a pitcher of root beer. It was so delectable. (What a funny word.) I ate more than my share and my tummy was pleased for the rest of the night. After dinner, we went to the store to pick up a bday present.

Tiny has a best friend, Romy, that she has been joined to the hip with since school started this year. She has been talking nonstop about Romy having a bday party and the much-awaited invitation finally arrived yesterday. The party is going to be at a family fun center with cake to follow at their house. We chose a bracelet-making kit for Tiny to give Romy. These two are completely adorable and inseparable. I'm always finding notes in her backpack with pictures they've drawn for each other and notes about their being "best friends forever". I'm glad she's found a kindred spirit.

After the gift-buying, we headed across the shopping center to the dollar theater and watched "Enchanted". The kids have been wanting to see this for a while and they really enjoyed it, as did H. I also found it to be fun and light. There were some parts of the movie that dragged on a bit, but it was a cute movie overall. After tucking the kids into bed, I was feeling euphoric from the excellent food and good fun. So, I got changed and curled up in bed with Tiny and drifted off to sleep easily.

The only bad part of yesterday was that a couple from church asked H to come over to offer support because they had lost a family member. It was a pretty tough blow to this couple because this is the second death in their family in the last month. I'm planning on dropping off some dinner to them tonight and trying to set up for some more friends to bring over dinners. Sometimes life will throw out a sad reminder that it is too short and often very unexpected. I'm just praying for them and hoping we can help them in some way.

Family updates: My uncle has started his chemo and is doing well. He does his chemo on Mondays and Tuesdays and my mom and aunt make sure they have dinner set up for them on those days. There is nothing like family when life gets tough. I really miss being nearer to them. H would have no problem moving back to NM and I know that the kids would love being near their cousins. But my problem is with the town. The schools are not very good, the jobs are really limited and the nearest large university is an hour away. The town feels confining to me. Its only redeeming quality is the beautiful desert and my family.

So, life is carrying on. I am trying to do more around the house. I've really let my homemaking duties slip and it's reflecting quite badly on me and our home. I've never been the ideal housewife, but I used to be a lot better at taking care of things. With the new little one coming, I need to bring my A-game if I want to stay sane and capable of maintaining my job around here. That may sound "Holly Homemaker" archaic to some, but when I'm able to keep my house in order and provide my family with a comfortable home, clean clothes and good food...well, not much beats that feeling. I'm hoping to work harder at my most important role.

There are many varying levels of "sick".

So, nose, better. Cough, better. Throat, better. Ready for housework? No way.

Belly Button Bottom

Just a health update. My nose has been blown so many times I feel like it's been through a cheese grater. I've been hacking and coughing enough to lose my voice and for it to feel like my chest is being hammered each time I cough. Oh yeah, and my lips and nose are insanely chapped and red.

After H took the kids to school, I eased into a hot bath with a cup of warm peppermint tea. It helped for a while. The funny thing was that, during the bath, I found out that I can now see the bottom of my belly button. Hee hee.

I'm hoping the next time I post, things will be better.

Drippy

Well, it's finally happened. After taking care of both kids this week, I'm sick. I knew by yesterday afternoon that it was too late. So, I asked someone to cover my Sunday school lesson for me and now I'm sitting here with a stuffy head, a runny nose, and a cough. Fun. It's pretty rare for us to get sick. It usually only happens about once a year. But I realized yesterday that it seems that the only times I get sick, the kids were sick first. So, that is the reward I get for taking care of them. It comes with the territory, I guess. So, if you don't hear from me, it's because I'll still be here, dripping and coughing.

It's the Little Things

*Foreword: Hobby, no worries. This is not a post about your V-day. It is about a compilation of cruddy attitudes I have seen online from some women I know that put waaaay too much emphasis on this one day.

Valentine's Day is such an anomaly to me. I can understand it when it is viewed as a special day to maybe express your love in a way that is a little above the everyday norm. However, I am surprised, and I'm not sure why, when I read and hear about some people being outright upset and disappointed when fireworks don't explode in the sky, a dozen roses aren't filling their shelves or, even, someone isn't calling you every minute they have free to express their love. It's like we feel entitled to every bit of this and more.

Well, I know that it's different for every couple how they choose to spend the day. But, I must say that, in a lot of cases, this expectation will only lead to disappointment and hurt feelings. Such high expectations leaves no room to remember or realize that the expected giver may be having a crappy day/week/month and that they might not realize the importance you've placed on this day. It doesn't let you remember that it's not the one day of abundant gift-giving that measures your love. No, it's the everyday actions and thoughts they give to you. It's when they snow-blow your driveway in the freezing cold so you can back out your car (loved those pics Hobby). It's when they make dinner and clean the house and pick up the kids from school when you are bedridden with the flu or just a migraine. It's when they will kill a spider or throw away an effective mousetrap when there is no way on God's earth that you will touch, or even look, at it. And especially when you're being the biggest pain in the butt in the world and they will still tell you that you're really pretty, with a goofy smile on his face and a boyish look in his eye.

Yes, THAT is what it's about. And do you know why it's better than all the roses and boxed candy on February 14th? Because it happens more than once a year, and on a regular basis.

Also, another perk of not having high expectations is that when he does bring home a little bouquet of bright daisies and your favorite cookies, the surprise and appreciation is much greater.

Update and Good Reads

Just a quick update again. Mister is home again from school. He can't seem to shake off what he's got. His fever broke a couple days ago, but now he's complaining of nausea and dizziness. So, he's resting on the couch and taking it easy. We did, however, manage to finish his science project yesterday. I'll have to take pictures of it when he brings it home. His experiment was to see if the design of a catapult affected its performance. So, we made three catapults from different designs. It was really fun and the best catapult was made from a mouse trap. That thing launched excellent. One catapult was made from popsicle sticks and rubber bands and the other from a clothes pin. The clothes pin one performed the worst. But it was easy and fun to make. Pics to come soon.

Tiny still has a bit of a cough, but she's doing much better and is at school. Hopefully, she'll stay all day. I know she's missed her best friend. I also have a parent-teacher meeting with her teacher today.

Yesterday, I went for my OB check up. It was supposed to be on Monday, but the doc got called to deliver a baby. Anyway, things are looking good. All my bloodwork came back good. I gained another 4 lbs. but still can stay out of maternity clothes. Not bad for my third pregnancy. I heard the little one's heart beat, strong and fast. Talked to the doc about some concerns and questions and decided we would do another ultrasound next month. Hopefully we'll be able to find out what we're having. H and Tiny are definitely going to be there for that. Mister is still deciding, but seemed more interested when I mentioned that he would get out of school for a little while for it if he went. So, in four weeks, we'll know if we'll be using the girl name or boy name we've chosen. And I will also be checking out colors for the nursery. I'm pretty sure that my shower will follow soon after since Nobby said the sex of the baby would determine the shower theme. I can't wait.

I just finished reading a fun, lighthearted book titled "Multiple Choice" by Claire Cook. It was a quick read that had likeable characters and an uncomplicated story. The main character, March Monroe, just sent her daughter off to college and with her son in his teenage years, she decides to return to college. She is required to participate in an internship and chooses to work at a radio station. However, her daughter, who doesn't know her mom returned to school, already interns at the same radio station. There is instant tension between them that results in March realizing a few things about her daughter and also in a successful radio show. It was a nice read that went quickly.

I am also veeery sloooowly reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. It is about a boy named Pi from India that is filled with questions about religion and his faith. After a shipwreck, he ends up in a lifeboat with a group of zoo animals, including a 450-lb. Bengal tiger. Each day, with their animal companions dwindling with the tiger's appetite, Pi must rely on all his knowledge and faith to survive another 227 days. Martel's writing is so rich in detail that it keeps your attention without overwhelming you. And if all that doesn't attract your interest, the book was based on a true story. Can't beat that.

Science, Movies, and Baby

Mister, Tiny, and I are staying home today from church. Tiny has had a fever most of the weekend and Mister seems to have just a touch of it. It's a good thing I didn't have to teach a class today. I'm not sure if Tiny will be going to school tomorrow either. I'm trying hard to not get sick too. There's not much you can take for a cold when pregnant.

This weekend has not seen much accomplished. Mister's science project is due tomorrow and he hasn't really started it. He seems to pick complicated experiments sometimes. This year, he wanted to find out if the design of a catapult will affect its performance. I found a few websites to make miniature catapults. There is not nearly as many as you would think. So, we will probably trying to figure out how to make them before tomorrow or Mister may need to switch experiment ideas.

I have been introducing the kids to some film classics. No, I'm not talking about "Casablanca" or "Ben Hur". No, think more along the lines of the original "Star Wars" series (remember the Ewoks?). They have also watched Spaceballs (I know, Mother of the Year, right?), Rocky I through III, and Better Off Dead. These are movies I watched when I was young and some that I had forgotten about. They seem to appreciate them too.

Family update: My sister is still waiting to hear from the doctor about her mammogram...from two weeks ago. Way to keep someone waiting and worrying. She also had a sonogram done and it pretty much only confirmed that she had the lump. They still haven't done a biopsy. These people sure are sharp and on task. My uncle had an enlarged tonsil removed and they discovered that it had a tumor. They will start chemo on Monday and will also do radiation for the lump on his neck. He is in good spirits and is ready to get started. My aunt (his sister) will be moving in with him and my grandma to take care of them. The doctor actually told my uncle on Friday that they wanted him to gain 10 lbs. by Monday. Like I said, sharp. But life is carrying on and, simultaneously, holding its breath. Prayers are always welcome.

H is not having the best of luck on the real estate front and prayer there would also be appreciated. He has decided to continue his education and get his MBA from Excelsior College. He received his Bachelors from them previously. He seems excited about it. Thankfully, the GI Bill will still cover his continuing education. I regularly long to be back in school. I look at the grad school class descriptions and wish I was in them, discussing early British Lit. and Lit. Theory (amazingly enough). I know it will be a while before I go back, but I'm happy knowing that I will go back.

I go to my next OB appointment tomorrow morning. They have a sonogram machine in their office and I wonder if they will do another one. I'm pretty sure they won't be able to tell me the sex for another month, but it's really awesome to see the little one on the screen, moving around and growing big. Some days, I already feel huge and some days, I still look little. I'm not in a rush to get through this. I'm enjoying right now. And I know I still have a lot to look forward to; finding out the sex, readying the nursery, having my baby shower, and having my parents visit around my due date. So much fun to come.

I think we're pretty set on the names we've picked. H still throws out one or two, but I'm too happy with the ones already picked. Wanna know them? Some of you already know. If we have a boy, he will be Matthew Jerry. 'Jerry' comes from my father-in-law's first name. 'Matthew' is a name that H has liked for some time. Also, a few years ago, I had a dream that someone asked me how many kids I had and I answered, "Three. Robert, Holly, and Matthew." I had this dream, not remembering that H had liked this name. Considering I had a dream when we were dating that we had Mister and a baby girl, I put some stock in my more impressionable dreams.

Now, if it's a girl, she will be Catherine Cochell. 'Catherine' is a name I love. It is old-fashioned and very versatile; Cat, Cate, Cathy. She'll have many choices to pick from. 'Cochell' is my mother-in-law's maiden name. I thought it matched well with Catherine and sounded really beautiful and different. So, there they are. I like both names so much that if we have a boy, we'll save the name for the girl for the next one, or vice versa.

My mom has told me that she dreamed that I had a little girl with fair skin (like her daddy) and dark hair (like her mommy), and she was beautiful. My sis-in-law has had two dreams that I'm buying girl clothes. Tiny and I both still feel it might be a boy. I told H that it speaks volumes of Mister as a brother if Tiny wants another one. They are great together and I know they will do well with the new one.

Well, for not having much to say, I've written quite a lot. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying your weekends, cold-free and relaxing.

Nope, It's not twins.

I couldn't wait another two weeks to take a new belly pic. I knew that I have grown enough in the last two weeks to warrant another pic. So, here it is:

But what is an "after" pic without a "before"? So, here are the last and the new, side by side.

Two weeks, people! Only two weeks between these pics. If I hadn't seen only one baby on the sonogram, I would swear we were having two.

My Team Won!

That's what I said to my mom when I called her after the Superbowl last night. She said, "So did mine!" Hee hee. I didn't really have a team picked before the game started, but I knew that the Giants were the underdogs. I like to root for the underdogs because I think it makes it that much more exciting and it's awesome if they win. And when I realized that this was Eli Manning's rookie year, well, that just made me root harder. And...THEY WON! I thought it was all over when the Patriots scored in the last 3 minutes. I even scolded the tv and unleashed my disappointment at Henry. But something magical must have happened between their touchdown and when I came back from the kitchen with a plateful of brownies to console myself. I knew the Giants wanted it more. They just had to figure that out, and they did when that touchdown splashed some reality in their faces. You could hear my scream for joy when they Manning passed for that touchdown. It was an awesome game.

I used to only watch the game for the commercials, but my focus definitely changed when I was actually cheering for a team. The commercials were pretty good this year too. Well, that's all I can do for now. I just got called to be an emergency sub, for 4th graders. Pray for me. :)

One Can Hope

Did I ever tell you we own a Mercedes? Well, technically, the bank owns it, but unfortunately, this doesn't entitle them to pay for repairs and maintenance. Anyway, the only reason we could ever own a Mercedes is because it was about the same price as any other car. We also have a Nissan Pathfinder that was nicknamed "The Mountain Goat". The Pathfinder is actually ours and has been a great truck. It has done what is expected and never really complained or given us problems. Until now.

Now, the Benz has given us trouble from the start. The first problem was either the window coming off track or the AC going out, one or the other. Well, the cost to fix just these two problems? Close to $4,000. That was when I began to realize why the price was surprisingly low when we bought it. And now, something is horribly wrong that has rendered it almost undriveable. While driving, the brake light and ABS light ding at me annoyingly and it seems that the acceleration sensor is rendered useless. It will not register your speed and stops telling the engine when to shift. It's in, what they call, "limp home mode". Doesn't sound good, does it? Well, it will cost $85 to have them assess the problem and I'm afraid to ask how much repairs would be. So, I'm crossing my fingers that they will find something that is DIY-able for us.

The Pathfinder has developed a new trick of jumping out of 1st gear and back into neutral on its own. Fun. So, we have to hold it in 1st until we can shift up. I'm also hoping this is something easy to fix. Heaven knows that transmissions cost more than the vehicle to fix and replace. But I'm really thankful for my very knowledgeable dad that can usually diagnose the problem pretty accurately. I only wish he lived a lot closer.

I told H that I think I have the same kind of troubleshooting skills that my dad does and that I think I may have a hidden mechanical talent in me, just like my dad. He didn't seem to agree as readily. But I have wanted for some time now to get a hold of an engine and just take that sucker apart to learn about it and better visualize each part's function. Maybe after that, I will be more able to diagnose our car problems. And maybe after that, I could dabble in rocket science literature and be hired by NASA as a top engineer. Right.

Not much new

I believe I will need to take a new belly pic again soon. I had planned to only take one a month, but my belly has grown so much in just the last two weeks that I think it warrants another pic. I had bought some larger jeans about two and half weeks ago since I was still too small for maternity clothes. When I bought the jeans, they had some leeway to them in the waist. Well, I now can't comfortably button them. But I'm enjoying it all. I just wish that the family could feel the baby's movements from the outside. I can still only feel them on the inside. After I have a glass of orange juice, the baby goes nuts in there. He/she jumps and wiggles around. It's so cool.

There's not much going on around here. Same old. We just had our fourth snow storm of about six that we are expecting. As much snow as we get every year, some are surprised that we never get snow days. We've been here for four years, and not one. A nearby ski resort town got a snow day this week and it was their first in 9 years. Yeah, if a resort town only gets one snow day every 9 years, it'll be a while before we get one. It's a good thing that I'm finally used to the winters here.

Well, I leave it at that for now. Will post more later.