The final countdown

Today is the last day of 2009. I've been seeing a lot of people I know saying that they're glad 2009 is over and ready for a new year. I don't know if I agree. To be completely honest, 2009 has been one of the more low-key uneventful years I've had. When I looked back to the end of 2008, nothing has really changed in my life. I don't consider that a bad thing. I have my beautiful family by my side once again. I still have my awesome job (for now, but every day I count my blessings for it). Joel still has a job. We have a home to live in, cars to drive, food to eat, and things that make us smile every day. 2009 had no untoward events that would make me wish it gone. Tonight I will simply toast the end of a thankfully uneventful year, and the start of what will hopefully be another uneventful year.

Hopefully next year, when I toast 2010 I will be thankful for these things as well.

Tonight we will be celebrating with the Snelsons' who are right at the top of the list of favorite people in the world.

Whatever you do, wherever you are....I hope you have a fun, happy, and most of all...SAFE new year.

5K Training Update

As I mentioned before, I am training for a 5K in March. So far so good. In fact, I've lost 4 pounds. Losing weight wasn't my goal, but definitely a plus. I just want to be in better shape, but of course being in shape for me will mean losing a few (lot) of pounds.

I started off doing the Couch to 5K program, but you know I can't follow a regimen without altering it somehow. Anyway, I've been doing the training every other day and after 4 days on one level, I jump up to the next level. Today I jumped up a level for the 4th time I believe. I was nervous about this jump, because last week I was running half and walking half and this week I'm running more than walking. As of my last day on the last level I still felt as though I was going to die after the last minute, so I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish today. HAHA wrong, sucker. I pushed myself and finished. My legs feel like lead pipes though. I feel fantastic now. I am really happy I am doing this. Thanks Amanda for pushing me. I had started the week before I found out you were doing this, but I was about ready to quit already, so I owe you for giving me incentive to move my rear.

Old and New

Yesterday was a special day for me. One of my dearest old friends, Michelle, came over to visit with her family (who I adore as well). Once upon a time Michelle and I were thick as thieves, BFFs before it was cool to be BFFs. Of course, as time goes on you lose touch and grow up and move on with your life, but we have found each other again and I could not be happier about that. It's funny how you don't realize the things you miss until you find them again.

While she was here, I invited Rachel and her family over, and as you know Rachel and I are conjoined at the hip. We are what Michelle and I once were. I have wanted these two to meet for a long time because they are both extremely special to me. My favorite old friend and my favorite new friend.

I was glad the three of us got that opportunity to hang out. It was an awesome day for me :) No, I didn't get pictures, so you have to use your imagination. I know, I say that too much.

Love you guys.

Christmas Pictures

Mickris is over!

Maddie used to call Christmas "mickris" when she was really little. There is a funny video of her saying "mickris is over" to mam. I don't know where it is or I would post it. It was funny. Use your imagination.

So, as I said, Christmas is over. It was a good one.

On Christmas Eve Joel and I both had to work and he gets to work away from the house so I had to work here to the sounds of "is it time yet?" repeatedly until it actually was time. We had dinner at Joel's parents house, which was good. She went non-traditional and made Chile Riano and homemade Macaroni and Cheese so everyone was thrilled. Joel's aunt Melba and his cousin Lisa were there too. The kids got their gifts and were really happy with them. Joel's mom was thrilled with the pictures and the DVD I made for them. She always loves the DVDs I make, she watches them year-round.

When we got home it took quite awhile to get them calmed down enough for bed, but eventually they did. So Joel and I did our Christmas stuff, brought out presents, etc.

Christmas morning came and Joel and I were up before anyone. Then Dylan was awake but I made him stay in his room. I finally told him if Maddie wasn't awake by 7:30, to go wake her and bring her down. She was awake at 7:25.

Dylan was quite happy with his BB gun and TOTALLY surprised with his WWE tickets.

Maddie was so happy with her "giant teddy bear" that she never put it down the rest of the morning.

We went to my dad's house and had brunch and opened gifts. We left the kids there and planned to see Sherlock Holmes, but apparently so did the rest of the free world because it was PACKED.

So, we came home and decided to get started on Mario Kart. Dylan got it for Christmas but we hadn't opened it yet. Joel and I raced for many hours last night, but we somehow managed to also watch Inglourious Basterds. I personally liked the movie a lot, even though I had to look away a few times. More than a few times. No need to show me everything, Mr. Tarantino.

Christmas Eve Confessions

Since it is Christmas Eve and all, I thought this would be a good opportunity to take a moment to get some things off my chest.

• I don't understand Twitter. I have an account. I tried it. I don't get it. I guess you could say I'm "Twitter-tarded."
  
• I shoplifted from Wal Mart the other day. It was an accident I swear.
  
• I tried to take back the item but they wouldn't let me because I didn't have a receipt.
• It wasn't until I was trying to return the item that I learned that I never paid for it.
  
• After learning that I didn't pay for it, I took it back home and wrapped it.
  
• Joel gets the stolen gift.
  
• I sometimes will buy my kids "hush candy." As in, "if I buy you this will you please shut your mouth?"
• My kids don't think I'm funny, but I find myself to be quite amusing.
  
• I think the character of Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory is quite possibly the funniest on TV right now. That might be an overstatement, but I doubt it. Bazinga.
• I don't eat crust on my sandwiches, and I don't make my kids do it either. This drives Joel bananas because he claims it's the healthiest part of the bread, so I looked it up and of course he is wrong and I am right, but of course again, he holds his ground. I still don't eat it.
  
• This is the first year that Joel and I aren't buy gifts for each other or filling each others stockings. Well, except the stolen item. I kind of missed it. I always buy him the same things and he loves them. Maybe that's why we're not. Maybe he doesn't love them....hmm
• The french onion soup on Cafe World looks delicious and every time I make it, I want to eat it. No, I do not lick the screen. That's disgusting.
  
• I sometimes think it would be easier if Maddie knew there wasn't a Santa. I have a feeling she'll figure it out long before Dylan did, only because she asks too many questions. Dylan always wanted to believe. Maddie always looks for reasons not to.
  
• I actually like sardines. I tried them once, just to see, and I didn't hate them. I wouldn't eat them for fun, but I thought they were good.
  
• If I don't lay out a list of things to be done during the day, nothing gets done. Nothing.
  
• If I don't make this list and get started on it first thing in the morning, nothing gets done.
• I really wish I had a mute button for my ears. Sometimes I wish I could just shut off my hearing and no longer hear the sounds of bickering, ESPN, coughing, WWE, This Song, which is Dylan's new favorite, my kids singing THIS SONG for the 200,000th time. Mute button. Need one.
  
• I am truly excited for tomorrow. I know, it's weird, the Scrooge is excited for Christmas. I am excited to see my kids faces when they get their gifts. They always say that the true Christmas spirit is about giving and not receiving and that is 100% true because this year I'm not getting any gifts, but I'm truly excited about the ones I'm giving.
  

Maddie had a rough night last night. It was midnight before she was finally done coughing and able to sleep. Joel's sick now too. Everything is a mess. Maddie feels fine today. She's still a little congested and coughing occasionally, but for the most part she seems fine.

I am blaming last night's coughing fit on the fact that she got a little excited last night. She went and saw Santa and then went out to dessert with Grandpa and then they went a few places, so she got a little wore out. By the time she got home at 9:00 she was quite hyper and already coughing quite a bit. I am hoping that with a quite, easy-going day we'll have a better night tonight.

Pros and Cons of Christmas Break

If I had my way, my kids would go to school every day except Christmas Day. Screw this Christmas break crap. - eh, excuse me..... winter break.

I don't need to make a list of cons, really. They're obvious: kids all up in my business 24/7, arguing, fighting, having to listen to Dylan talk about wrestling nonstop, whining, the constant EATING. See how I made a list without actually making a list?

I did, however, find some pros in this dark tunnel of despair:

SLEEPING IN. I no longer have to get up at 6:45 in the morning.

Okay, so I can't really think of anything past that glorious thing. Yesterday I slept until 8:00 and today I got to sleep until 7:45. After that, really, who cares about the rest?

Merry Sickmas?

We are 4 days from Christmas and poor Maddie is sick. She's just miserable. She isn't getting much sleep and she's whiny and her nose is running like crazy and she has a rash on her face from wiping her nose so much.

Pray for my girl. She needs to get better ASAP

A mystery Christmas card

Maddie came home from school today with a Christmas card. On the outside it said "Madeline", written in classic 1st grader handwriting. Obviously, it is misspelled. No big deal.

On the inside it says "To Madeline, I like your cloths"

Cloths is misspelled because I think whoever wrote it meant "clothes" and not "cloths" unless she is an 18th century seamstress on the side.

Now, before you get all up in my junk about criticizing the handwriting and spelling of a 1st grader, you need to realize that when she first handed it to me I had asked her who it was from and she said "her teacher."

There was no name on the card so I really do not know who it was from, but I seriously, seriously doubt that her teacher wrote that unless she wrote it at 2:00 a.m. last night after some serious beer bong sessions.

After explaining to Maddie repeatedly, making no progress whatsoever, that there was no way her teacher gave this to her, I finally asked her "how did you get the card....who handed it to you?"

She said "my teacher did."

I give up. I really do.

You're going to regret this

I've made a list of things that you need to know about my children in the event of an unforeseeable accident making me unable to care for them. Or if I get admitted to some psych facility for losing my flipping marbles. Or if I just run away. Not that I see any of these happening. Yet.

1. Maddie sleeps with a flashlight every night. I would explain how this started but it's a long story and it's been going on for years. Just give her the light and forget about it.
2. On the same note, Dylan sleeps with his bedroom light on. I cannot explain my children's fear of the dark.
3. Dylan must be continuously reminded to do everyday things like brushing teeth, washing hands, breathing, picking up food that he dropped on the floor and glanced at and left there, putting his pajamas on, changing his underwear, putting socks on before his shoes, etc. You get the picture. You need to babysit him through life. Constant nagging. It's annoying on both levels.
4. Maddie will make her own bed 9 times out of 10. It's best that you not mention it or the next time will be the 10th.
5. Dylan's idea of a made bed is him not being in it. You can mention it as much as you want, but it will always be the 10th time.
6. Maddie puts Parmesan cheese (green salt) and Johnny's seasoning on pretty much everything. No joke.
7. My kids will NOT eat ketchup, so don't bother.
8. The only vegetable I can consistently get BOTH of my kids to eat without complaint is raw carrots. That doesn't mean they "won't" complain, it just means they "usually" won't.
9. Spongebob Squarepants is the only TV show they both still watch together.
10. Despite his fear of the dark, Dylan is obsessed with ghosts. Maybe I have this backwards.
11. Dylan is not a night owl, even though he likes to pretend he is. After 10:00 p.m. he's worthless to the world.
12. If it's a school day, I'll have to wake them up. If it's a weekend, they'll be up before the sun.
13. If you have a good book to read, they'll need something.
14. It is not unusual for Dylan to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and bacon for breakfast.
15. It is not unusual for Maddie to not eat breakfast at all.
16. Maddie will start all her sentences with "I wanna tell you something." Sounds important, doesn't it? You'll see. It usually ends with......."I'm hungry."
17. They've never been taught how to flush a toilet. At least, that is what I am led to believe.
18. If you drop something, trip, or hurt yourself in anyway....they will laugh at you. Every time.
19. If you have plans, let's say Thursday at 8:00, it's best to wait until Thursday at 7:30 to tell them. You'll regret it otherwise.
20. Do not EVER ask Dylan's opinion regarding planning something. You will regret it. I can guarantee it.

Holy disapointment, Batman

I am quite nearly the biggest Jodi Picoult fan you'll ever know. But of course, we already knew that. I have read all of her books, some of them twice.

I never saw My Sister's Keeper in the theater. I "heard" some things that turned me off to it. I loved the book. Duh. Movies are never as good as books.

I rented it.

I finally watched it tonight.

I will not lie to you, I cried. A lot. Like almost the whole movie.

....HOWEVER...

W-T-F

I understand that it is nearly 100% impossible to turn a phenomenal book into a good movie. I'm not a idiot. However, they ruined the book. For someone who has never read the book, but watched the movie....I'm sure they enjoyed it. But, the ending of the book is what MADE this book good - and yet......they changed the ended so drastically it was as if they never even read the book.

I'm sure Jodi needed a big fat stiff drink after reading THAT script.

A post without grammar

I know I am being really slack in the blog department and I am sorry. I have been pretty busy lately with various random things. I have also been working as much as I possibly can to make extra money.

I am training to run a 5K and since Amanda has so graciously picked the one we are running, I now have more incentive than ever to do it - because it is in MARCH. Yikes. Better get those feet pounding. I can not wait until the weather improves so I can go out on the road. I am getting tired of staring at the four walls of my home.

My keyboard has decided that it no longer wants to recognize the apostrophe key so my post is very formal, so I apologize for that. You know that I could never type a word that needed an apostrophe and leave it out on purpose. That would be horrifying. Someone must have come and messed with my keyboard. It was you, Rachel, right? Fess up.

Cuteness on a Saturday

Humbling parent moment

Maddie struggles quite a bit with certain aspects of school. She said she wanted me to help her practice her writing letters and numbers because she doesn't do as well as other kids in her class. Before I could even say "yes" Dylan was all over that. I didn't really see that this would have a good outcome since a simple game of Sorry can end with Maddie punching Dylan in the nose - but I let him give it a try. He's shockingly patient with her. Way more patient than I am. I get frustrated when I try to help her with her homework. He creates worksheets for her and then she finishes them and turns them in and he grades them. I am truly humbled by all of this. My kids can NOT get along to save their lives so this is unbelievable for me. Not only are they getting along - they're learning.

All I Want For Christmas

• I would like a dryer that beeps when I put clothes in but forget to start it. You know - like a car does when you leave your keys in it.
  
• I would like to wake up one morning and realize that I do not have any laundry to do.
  
• I would like to play a game with my children that does not end in crying, yelling or physical altercations. Maybe the words "good game" could even be uttered.
  
• I would like my children to have more common sense.
  
• I would like to have them wash their hands after using the bathroom without me telling them to.
• I would like them to remember to brush their teeth - both morning and night - without being reminded.
  
• I would like to be able to go on my treadmill without being interrupted repeatedly.
  
• I would like a weekend to myself. Yea, I said it. A whole weekend of just me. Rachel can come of course.
  
• I would like Lost Season 5 on DVD. We missed several of the episodes from last year thanks to the DISH and KOMO fued and a sketchy antennae that sometimes worked and sometimes did not.
  
• I would like ABC to rerun the episodes of Lost from last year so I do not have to buy the DVD set.
  
• I would Californication to air year round. 52 weeks of Hank Moody would be a wonderful year.
  
• I want Edward Cullen to be real.
  
• I want a new Jodi Picoult book. NOW.
• I want to take a shower and not have to clean handful of my hair out of the drain afterwards.
• I want an IPOD in which the battery never dies.
  
• I want my neighbors to never move away.
  
• I want more motivation and less procrastination.
  

Thanks Santa, that was easy, right?

A very special day indeed

Today is the birthday of my very best friend, Rachel. This morning she and I get to have coffee together...ALONE. It's almost like it's my birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU GIRL!

Maddie-ism

This is only funny because it was first thing in the morning.

She was talking about how she had a substitute yesterday. "My teacher went to Texaco."

I think she meant Mexico. Either that or her teacher need some gas really, really bad. Oddly enough, she was only gone one day so maybe it really was Texaco.

Complaint box

I have some complaints about life in general right now. I'm going to make a little list of grievances that are currently occupying my brain.

• Please do not call me "honey", "sweetie", "sweetheart", "hon", or any variance of these if you are not my parent or married to me or were birthed from me. This especially applies to people I either barely know or do not even know at all.
• Please stop misspelling the word "excited." It is not "exited" because that is a completely different word.
  
• In general, how hard is it to look up the spelling of a word?
• Apostrophes are meant to be used. Its snowing = incorrect. It's snowing = correct.
  
• When the clerk at the grocery store says "Did you have a good thanksgiving?" I am pretty sure she does not want a detailed run of your day, thus holding up the line for the rest of the world, especially me.
  
• Just once I would like Facebook to load correctly the first time.
  
• Icicle lights look trashy during the daytime. I don't particularly care for the way they look at night either, but I won't complain about that.