Browningblog

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T17:04:00.003-06:00

Disclaimer #1: Andrew and I don't normally do Valentine's day, especially if we are both working. Disclaimer #2: I did what I did more because I had the day off, and would have still done it had it not been Valentine's Day (maybe I wouldn't have decorated the bucket).

When we were in Louisville for New Year's, we went to Muth's Candy. Andrew fell in love with their licorice caramels. So I found a recipe and yesterday, gave it a whirl. They turned out much better than I expected. When the recipe ended up making a bucket full, I decided I should decorate the lid of my recycled ice cream bucket.

So, if you like licorice, here's a recipe for you:

2 sticks butter
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c karo light syrup
3 tsp anise extract
1 tsp black paste food coloring

Melt butter over medium heat in a dutch oven with a candy thermometer attached- (make sure your thermometer isn't touching the bottom). Add milk, sugar, salt and syrup. Stir constantly until thermometer shows 234 degrees (should be the soft ball mark on your thermometer). Remove from heat, add the anise extract (most recipes show 2 tsp, I used 3 because I didn't think it was strong enough with 2- the Hubs says it's perfect) and add the black food coloring. Stir until well blended, pour in a buttered 9"x13" baking dish. Let cool completely, then cut into caramel sized pieces. Wrap in waxed paper. Enjoy!

This made over 100 caramels for me. Of course, the bigger you cut, the less candies you have. I just tried to make them look the same size as store bought.

The lid was made with the Opposites Attract cartridge for the letters, The heart is from the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge and the Background is Doilie 5 from the Lovely Floral cartridge. I trimmed it with black small rick-rack and tied a metal A for Andrew on. Viola!

Corn Dog Casserole

2012-02-13T05:42:00.002-06:00

This is a recipe I have had since Robert was little, it was one that he always helped me make and it seemed like, if he helped, he was more enthused about eating it. It is still a family favorite.

Corn Dog Casserole

1 c celery, sliced thin
1 T Butter
3/4 c. green onions
1 pkg. hot dogs
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sage
pepper
1 pkg. corn muffin mix
1 c. shredded cheddar

Slice hot dogs in half length wise, then cut into thirds. Saute celery and onions in butter for about 3 minutes, add hot dogs and saute til celery and onions are tender.

Set aside one cup of this mixture.

In a large mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, sage and pepper, add remaining veggie/ hot dog mix. Stir in cornbread mix. The mix, just like making cornbread with it, will be slightly lumpy even when thoroughly mixed.

Add 3/4 c. of the cheese (save 1/4 for topping)

Spread into a shallow 8"x8" or 9"x9" sprayed baking dish. top with remaining veggie/ hot dog mix and remaining cheese.

Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown.

Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!

Ode to Whitney

2012-02-12T13:32:00.003-06:00

Yes I am sad, no I am not shocked. Another life cut short. I love Whitney Houston's music. I honestly remember the first time I saw this video on Friday Night Videos--before MTV hit my house.

Takes me back to those days. Life was good, not as good as it is now, but good. I am sure I had just got home from a night of running around with my friends, which was typical Friday night fair. I absolutley loved her voice and it didn't change when "How Will I Know", The Greatest Love" or even her remake of Dolly's "I Will Always Love You" came around ( I will STILL sit and watch "The Bodyguard".

RIP Whitney, by the sounds of the reports already, you had a tumultuous last few days, not much different than the rest of your public life.

Your music will be missed.

Onward through another week

2012-02-08T05:29:00.001-06:00

Wednesday is here again, hard to believe it is the 2nd one in February already. This year is going faster than ever. Of course, things are never calm around here, and it seems right now is as crazy as ever.

Andrew went to the surgeon Monday evening, we now have his surgery scheduled for the 23rd. I was wanting them to say, "We better get this done tomorrow", but they didn't. So, now, he has two weeks of trying to be very careful. He is still going to work but isn't supposed to even lean over to tie his shoes. Thank goodness he has one pair of dress slip-ons or he would be in trouble. I could tie his shoes of a morning, but what if one came untied? Anyway, hurry up and wait.

Robert goes to Chicago to the Auto Show on Friday. I know he is excited, this is something he has always wanted to see. I know for the next two years he will go with school, but I have a feeling he will always find a way to go even after that.

Work is a big focus for me right now, lots of things going on. I fought a laptop yesterday and won. It had been a while since I had a real challenging one, but this one was it. I had two to work on, trying to get a new wireless modem to work on them. The first one took me about 10 minutes to figure out the problem and it should have been the solution for both laptops, but it wasn't. I wrestled with the second one from about 10:00 Monday morning until yesterday afternoon, but they both work now, that's the important thing. Lots going on with our Percentage of Income Payment Plan too. Working on getting it ready to go for next year and keeping our current clients going. Looks like I am going to get to help with the training for the state, that's just one of those "cool" things. I know I don't talk about my job much to people. It is mainly because I get to do so many neat and cool things and I love it so much that I am afraid I will come off as bragging, and I don't mean to.....I just have a really, really neat job. I go to Decatur on the 17th to learn a new portal for Ameren, this will help out a lot- hope it works as well as it is supposed to. Also helping the Weatherization guys get powerpoint presentations ready for their conference in March. Lots going on, but as you can tell, I'm lovin' every minute of it.

I have my root planing done next Tuesday, my teeth are just now getting over being sore from the last visit. Not sure I am really looking forward to this one but know it will be better for me in the long run.

I'm down to 15 mg of prednisone for the UC, things aren't as perfect as they were when I was on the 40 but they aren't bad. I am thinking with the trauma to my system of the root planing, I am going to stay on the 15 another week, my doctor had told me if I had anything too drastic going on, to stay where I am until I get through it, so I am choosing to do that.

Looking a bit into taking a trip to see Andrew's grandma when we all take vacation the first week of March. Funny how things work out. Andrew took vacation because we have the Grand Prix at church on the 3rd. I took vacation to spend some time with him and get a couple of projects done here at home then low and behold, I realized Robert was on spring break, so we will all be together! Robert has Monday's and Tuesday's off from work so we could take an overnighter, see Grandma and still come home and get a couple things done. Sounded pretty perfect to me.

Once again, life in a nutshell.

Happy Wednesday!

Crab Cakes

2012-02-07T06:12:00.000-06:00

Crab Cakes were introduced to us when we lived in Pennsylvania.
Everyplace you went out there had Crab Cakes and they quickly became a favorite. I make mine with the imitation crabmeat. Between it and chunked up crab, I like the imitation more. These got rave reviews from Andrew too, already asking me to make them again.

1 lb. imitation crab, I use Louis Kemp's     2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped, bell pepper                      1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce
2 TBS Onion, Onion (Tastefully Simple)   27 butter crackers (Ritz)

1. Finally crush the crackers, divide in half.
2. Break eggs in bottom of medium sized mixing bowl, scramble slightly, add crab (the more it is shredded, the better), bell pepper (I have bags of frozen from the garden, they are a mix of red, green and yellow and really gave this good flavor), and Onion, Onion (you can use a 1/4 c of chopped onion if you don't have Onion, Onion) and half the cracker crumbs. Refrigerate 1 hour, or until ready to use-- I mix this up before work and let it refrigerate all day.
3. Shape crab mix into 10 1-inch thick patties; coat with remaining crumbs.
4. Heat 1/4 c oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add crab cakes, cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden on both sides. Remove to paper towels to drain.

I use tarter sauce on mine, Andrew uses Cocktail sauce. Hollandaise would be good too, but I wasn't in the mood to make it.

*If you liked the canned crab, you can use it, just drain it well and make sure you have a lb. of it.

Enjoy!

A dog's life

2012-02-05T07:22:00.001-06:00

Took the girls to Petsmart yesterday for grooming. They are such clowns, I can't get good pictures of them this morning, but at least they are both sitting still in this one! Liz has not one but two bows, and they are pink, which is funny because she is such a tomboy that I normally don't put pink on her but as you can see, I had bought her a new sweater--pink. Chrissy's is light purple to match, normally I would have went the other way around but decided may be Liz would like to have some pink from time to time.

It's a productive weekend so far. Yesterday was full of running around, first Mattoon then Terre Haute, but I have the month's groceries bought as well as gift for a wedding next weekend. Funny thing, I went to get the wedding present, which I had planned on since I received the invitation. When I purchased it, I got a free orchid. I will kill it, I know I will, plants and I don't have the best track record. Andrew always said I commit herbicide, but I digress and say it is plantslaughter, because I don't mean to, it just happens.

It's Superbowl Sunday. I wish I really like football but truth is, I just don't but Andrew does and Robert tolerates it so I am doing my part and bought all the appetizery like foods for supper tonight. I have Beef Stew in the crockpot and homemade bread in the bread machine so lunch will be something to look forward to.

Busy week, lots of commitments, but that keeps life fun. Andrew's appointment to see the surgeon has been moved up to tomorrow at 5:00. Will post when I know more.

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to February

2012-02-01T05:41:00.000-06:00

Okay, here is my monthly menu for February. You can click on the actual menu to get a bigger view. As you can see we have a wide variety. Most of which is already bought. I use the first week in the month to buy the rest of the necessities to fix these meals (except for fresh stuff) and then spend the rest of the month only buying what is on sale and/or I have coupons for. For instance, our local store ran a special on Chicken breasts a couple weeks ago, 3.99 for a 3 lb bag, there was a limit of 2, so Andrew went and got 2, Robert went and got 2, and I went and got 2. That should get us through 3 months, which is how far I try to go out when shopping sales. I also got hamburger for $1.87 a lb last month, I bought 15 lbs. I honestly think I have all the meat for this month except the corned beef for the reuben ring and the steak. Before I started the menu, I asked the guys what they were hungry for. Robert's answer was the steak, Andrew's the Manicotti. As you can see, Wednesday night is prepared foods, I normally don't come home from work on Wednesday evenings until after AWANA, this gives Robert direction for his supper before he comes to AWANA and Andrew knows what he can fix himself when he gets home from work. Being prepared also switches me from wanting to go out for dinner because I don't know what to fix to wanting to go out for dinner because I want to go out for dinner. I will try to put some of the recipes on here for the casseroles, the corndog casserole is cheap, easy and well-liked. The Ravioli bake is also a crowdpleaser here, I have two kinda italian nights in a row, but at my house, that isn't a big deal.

Well, well, well

2012-01-31T21:10:00.001-06:00

So the trip to the dentist ended out eventful. Diagnosis: I need two teeth pulled and the rest are in serious need of a deep cleaning. Considering the mess I got into the last time I had a tooth pulled, I am not in a big hurry to have that done. In fact, I suggested July, I didn't tell the dentist, I am thinking possibly July of 2015, or 2016.....no, I will have it done. Honestly, one of them has bugged me forever. It had a filling that ran down the side of my tooth, the filling has a hook on it and I catch my dental floss on it all the time. My periodontist tried to get my then dentist to redo the filling, and my then dentist would say there was nothing wrong with it. My new dentist thinks the filling is lying just right so it is contributing to the bone loss that goes along with the periodontal disease. Oh, and then they wanted to know if I wanted to see about an implant for that tooth......it would just be $2400 for MY PART--AFTER the insurance, uh no, I will live just as long and die just as happy without that particular tooth in my mouth. Ok, now here's the deal, maybe $2400 isn't really, really crazy for a tooth, but let's think about this. If I have one implant, what happens when the day comes that they say, "the bone is too far gone, it's time to pull them", which in my case, is likely to happen. I have 25 other teeth---see where I am going with this.....25x $2400, no way. So......the other part of the visit was setting up a time for a root planing. Valentine's Day, happy day. Yep, instead of roses I am getting my gums dug out. Thrill a minute. But wait.....there's more!

Andrew calls me this afternoon, he has been to the doctor, he has an umbilical hernia. Now, this is where I totally loose the "Wife of the Year" award. He came to me several weeks ago and said he thought he had a problem. His belly button had went from being an "inny" to an "outty". Andrew has put on a few pounds and I thought it was just weight redistribution. I was wrong so now, we are heading for surgery.

What a day, what a day........

Dread day

2012-01-31T06:03:00.003-06:00

I'm going to the dentist. I haven't been to the dentist in over a year. The last time I went, I had a tooth pulled. The ordeal didn't end until I had an incision cut in the side of my mouth to remove a blood clot. I haven't wanted ANYONE looking in my mouth since and just thinking about it, I run my tongue repeatedly over the scar from the surgery. Going back to Heartland Dental though, they are the ones that fixed the blood clot. Say a little prayer for me today if you have a chance!

The Craft Room......FINALLY!

2012-01-29T20:49:00.002-06:00

Just remember, it IS an unfinished basement but I love it!

This is my work area.

and my storage area...

This is my view of the tv, which is great. As you can see, we have a small "living room" too. I didn't want to get rid of the comfort zone completely because there are times that it's just nice to have another good place to watch tv. It is also great when it storms.....although DISH is usually the first thing to go in a storm. (Pay no attention to the stack behind the TV. This is going to be Andrew's woodworking shop and he isn't as far on his project as I am on mine.....the first thing he is going to do is build a wall there behind the tv, complete with a door so I don't have sawdust all over the house.)

I started to get rid of the kitchen area too. But then I decided it would be great if I were making candles or soaps of if I just want to heat up my coffee.

I love the huge basement, we have an exercise area as well as my laundry room down here too.....not to mention the "grocery store" from my couponing trips.....that's another post though.

My latest Read

2012-01-28T17:41:00.003-06:00

My last Rhonda Gibson book available on ebooks for right now. Loved this one too. I think it is my second favorite after What's In Your Closet.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork

2012-01-28T17:38:00.001-06:00

I'm a little backwards, most people like to do crock pot meals on weeknights. Me, I like saving it for a Saturday. I usually have so many projects going on that I like not having to worry much about supper.

This is a family favorite, and once again, it comes from the Kraft website (link below). I buy frozen egg rolls as my side and you have a great meal and didn't have to dirty up the kitchen after it has had its Saturday cleaning.

One word of warning, you MUST use Kraft Sweet and Sour Sauce. I tried another brand one time and threw the whole thing out.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-pork-65878.aspx

Yummy EASY Cherry Danish

2012-01-28T17:30:00.001-06:00

This was a big hit yesterday at work. It is super simple-- one of those crescent roll recipes. I have gotten to the point that crescent rolls are a staple at my house.

The recipe came from the Kraft Website and can be found here:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/philadelphia-cherry-danish-dessert-70427.aspx

Birthday Centerpiece

2012-01-28T16:37:00.001-06:00

Mom and I have Birthday night this coming Wednesday at AWANA. We are doing a Valentine's day theme but still wanted to make sure everyone remembered it was Birthday night. So, a little time with my Cricut and here we go:

I used the "From My Kitchen" Cartridge to do the cupcake and Plantain Schoolhouse with a Cricut pen to do the lettering.

The week of unexpected

2012-01-26T06:27:00.001-06:00

2:18 Sunday morning, the phone rang. I knew immediately it was my mom. She says I didn't even say hello, I picked up the phone and said, "Mom, I am on my way". She had been having problems with pain. Her neck and most of her body had been hurting for a few weeks. On Saturday after Andrew and I returned from Louisville, I took her to Effingham to look for some bigger shoes because her feet were hurting and swollen so bad she couldn't wear what she had. The pain had escalated last week. On Thursday evening, it went to her head and she just about called me, then it went away, all of it, completely and she was fine. I truly thought it was too good to be true and it was. It came back with a vengeance on Sunday morning.

We made it to the hospital around 3:30, we could have gotten there sooner but she needed me to drive slow as every bump we hit was excruciating. We were in the ER until 8:00 when they decided to admit her because her White Blood Cell Count was very high. The ER docs were stumped as to what was causing the pain.

Her regular doctor was in her room by 8:30. When she started explaining what was going on, he started shaking his head yes, and said he knew exactly what the problem was. He would almost bet money that one inflammation test would come back extremely elevated. If it did, it would prove him right, she had PMR. Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I was stunned he was so quick to diagnose but after googling it, I totally agreed. It was even a textbook case of it. High doses of steroids would relieve the pain. Unfortunately, Mom has been a Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetic most of her life. Steroids and a pancreas that does not work at all do not mix well. She would have to be in the hospital to have the steroids. Tuesday morning, she was feeling much, much better and was released to come home. Not before Dr. Houston informed her that she also had a lot of arthritis in her neck, something she is probably going to have to learn to live with.

Wednesday, we started our first normal day of the week--yeah for normal!
She is still having some pain in her neck but she says as long as she stays busy, she doesn't notice it. My mom doesn't spend much time NOT being busy, so I guess that is a good thing.

I got started back to work yesterday. Making plans to go to New Orleans in June for the National Energy Assistance Directors Conference. One of my favorites. I always come back so full of new ideas to help fight poverty. Looking forward to this one already. Also starting to work on the next set of Computer classes. I don't know if we will actually have a class but I want to be prepared if we do. So, switching gears but still busy.

I have a couple more posts for the blog, probably get them in on Saturday, another recipe to share and another book to read. Thank the Lord for my nook, I read almost an entire book while Mom was resting Monday. Love the fact that if I get done with one, all I have to do is download another one and I am good to go.

So, not many projects done this week, but getting Mom back to better was a good one. Andrew and I are starting to make plans to refinish the wood floors. I am looking at that to be a March thing. We have a spot right at the front door that was damaged years ago by ants. We are looking at laying a tile entry way. If we do, we will need to change out the tile in front of the fireplace as well but I think that would be great. I would love marble tile and in that small of a space, it would be affordable but I am afraid it would be too much for the house so we shall see.

Craft room should be ready for pictures by this Saturday---yea!

Happy Thursday!

Just finished another GREAT book

2012-01-21T11:41:00.002-06:00

I am loving these Rhonda Gibson books! This one has been my favorite one so far. I mentioned earlier, Rhonda went to high school with Andrew. This particular book had references to McAlester ( Sheldon, OK in the book). She mentioned the 69 Bypass several times. Andrew lived on the 69 Bypass.

She has me totally hooked on Christian Chick lit but I think she is going to have to write faster!

What will this week bring?

2012-01-15T06:58:00.002-06:00

Oh the excitement of another beginning. The beginning of the week that is. Seems like the more I think I don't have as much to do as I used to, the more I prove myself wrong.

I was telling a friend on Friday that I hadn't had a cold since I had been taking Vitamin C. I also take zinc anytime anything seems slightly off kilter. Well, I woke up yesterday morning with my throat hurting. I have laid on the zinc, as well as the contact and I have no other symptoms, but it is annoying to say the least because truly, there is way too many things going on to be sick.

I made a list a mile long of things I want to get done tomorrow, on my extra day off (Happy Birthday MLK Jr.) Today is "Simple Blessings" day at church. We started this three years ago this month. We have a lady from church who is in an assisted living facility in Casey. We go once a month and sing. We also stop by a few other peoples houses who can't get out and sing to them too. It is a fun day but a busy one. Andrew has to work, Robert and I will go to Mom's for lunch then Robert has to go clean the bowling alley and be back by 3. Of course, we make our rounds and are back at church at 6.

Some of you know this, some don't. Robert backed into car on Friday, so part of tomorrow will entail him having an estimate to replace his bumper. He was really aggravated because he said had it been in the summer, the bumper probably wouldn't have cracked, but because it was about 20 degrees outside, it did.

I have about 4 craft projects that need worked on tomorrow, as well as continuing to work on my craft room itself. Still on target to have it pretty well the way I want it by the end of January.

I have some excitement going on this week at work too. I have mentioned the PIPP program numerous times on the blog. This week, one of the ladies from the state is coming down to see how I do part of the program. She wants to use me and two other people in the state as examples to show the rest of the agencies how to do this part. I am honored and nervous all at the same time.

Of course, Wednesday night is AWANA. Robert has a ballgame AGAIN, which means I have to do his computer jobs at AWANA, no biggie, just changes in normal.

I was supposed to go to see Joyful Noise with Kelley Friday night, but she caught a bug and we didn't get to go. Hopefully we will go Saturday. Maybe the crowds will be calmed down by then anyway. Still looking forward to seeing the movie as well as Kelley.

I did get my new desk put in my family room last Sunday night, Robert and I put it up in about an hour and a half---and I love it! I will probably post pics of it when I am ready to post the pics of the craft room.

Busy week...what's new?

Happiness always thrives in very full and active lives.....guess I am VERY happy!

Happy Sunday.

Pork Chops and Rice

2012-01-13T05:17:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite recipes growing up turned into one of Andrew's favorite recipes after we got married, and Robert grew up loving it too. It is a family favorite and I kicking myself for not taking pictures. It takes a little longer than most of my recipes---1 hour total, but it is worth it!

Pork Chops and Rice
1 lb pork chops                   1/2 c flour
salt and pepper                  1/4oil
1 1/2 c regular rice              1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 can mushrooms               1 can cream of mushroom soup
water

Spray a 9"x13" glass baking dish with Pam, put rice, onion soup mix (reserve about 1 1/2 TBSP), and mushroom soup in glass dish. Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid in a 3 cup measuring cup. Add mushrooms to rice mixture. Fill the cup with the mushroom liquid to 3 cups with water, stir into mixture, stir well.

Coat chops with the flour, salt and pepper, brown in the 1/4 cup oil. When browned on both sides, arrange chops on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle remaining soup mix on top of chops and gentle press them down into the water to let the tops get a bit wet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

This is such a classy looking meal, the pork chops get so tender and the rice has a wonderful flavor. I have been known to leave out the soup when trying to lower calories, it still works well and has a good flavor. My mom always put peas in it too, probably about a cup, love them in it but Andrew has diverticulitus so I don't add them anymore.

Good Morning World!

2012-01-11T05:39:00.000-06:00

Another Wednesday, been back at work two days now, slowly but surely getting caught up for my time away. It has been hectic but it was really good to get back. Still thank God daily for my job. I had the pleasure of sharing what I do with a family friend this week who is in college, she is trying to decide exactly what she is supposed to be doing with her life.....I hope I helped.

On health notes, I am down to 30 mg of prednizone again. So far, so good. I walked for a little over 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday morning. I had walked a few times in November, but never made it past the 20 minute mark. I had sweat yesterday, felt really good. I got my Wii fit out Monday, it had been 300 days since I had been on it. That was when the doctor said no because he didn't want me twisting my severely inflamed bowels. I will try not to take exercise for granted ever again. It's like I told my doctor, I know I'm fat but believe it or not, I do like to exercise. He laughed....he would.

Coming off the prednizone, I officially started the counting calories and dieting thing on Sunday. I have lost a pound. Honestly pretty amazing with the dose I am on. Doc said I probably would see any movement until I was around 20. Lose weight just like you eat an elephant, one bite at a time, or in this case one pound at a time. I have no delusions of ever being a twiggy, just striving everyday to be healthier.

Still getting many projects accomplished, that feels great too. I have been getting several homemade cards made for upcoming birthdays, weddings, etc. cut out a pattern for Robert a new vest last night. I haven't sewn in years and with my new room, I can. I used to sew everything when Robert was little. I even made Andrew a wool overcoat, it was beautiful, he outgrew it. Robert wears it once in a while now though.

So, I have to say 2012 has started out great for us.

Tonight is AWANA night so it is "not much time at home" night. Robert has a ball game and work and since the jeep gets worse gas mileage than the van, I decided I might as well come home and get Andrew for AWANA. I normally just work over on Wednesdays, it's nice to be there without the hustle and bustle of the regular hours. I posted a recipe last week, should have posted my Pork Chops and Rice recipe last night, but didn't get pictures taken, I may post the recipe anyway, it is one handed down from my mom and a family favorite. Maybe tomorrow.

Andrew decided yesterday he was going to get the fitness bug too, he is downstairs exercising and it is just barely 5:30 a.m. An amazing feat since he tells me his body only recognizes one 5:00 a day.

Looking forward to the weekend, hopefully getting to go see Joyful Noise with a friend of mine. When I asked Andrew if it would be okay if I went to see that with someone else, his answer was, "That would be great, when I saw the trailer, I thought 'Mindy will drag me to that' ". It's gonna work out for all of us. One of my goals for 2012 (remember I don't make resolutions) was to spend more time with my friends. I got to have lunch with Amy and Vaneta last Friday, hopefully going to the movies with Kelley this weekend and the 27th I am going to a Scrapbooking night with Christina. I didn't get all my friends in there but it was an improvement. Should be a good month.

Robert's big news of the week--he kinda got in trouble for talking too much at work. Hard lessons learned, been there, done that. It's hard when talking is second nature. This is something I have had to work on a lot over the years and now he is to the point where he does too.

Life in a nutshell, not quite as adventurous as I think it used to be, but still a great ride, nonetheless.

Happy Wednesday my friends!

What I'm reading

2012-01-07T17:06:00.000-06:00

Mom and I share Max Lucado books, I had never read this one and she brought it to me around Thanksgiving. I usually read part of a chapter before my morning Bible Study. I was doing the Christmas Edition of My Daily Bread before Christmas so I set this aside. Yesterday I picked it up and realized it was a study in Romans. A bit ironic since that is what our in depth study is for our high school group in AWANA. This fits in perfectly and gives me one more aspect for our class.

This is my nook book right now. Lethal Lasagna by Rhonda Gibson. Rhonda went to school with Andrew and is a Christian fiction writer. Thanks to facebook, he found out she was a writer and I looked up some of her books. I read the one below right before Christmas, Rhonda worked with three other authors on it and it was really, really good so I decided to look up some more of her books. Lethal Lasagna is a Christian Murder Mystery, the best of both worlds.

I am working on making me a working "reading list", I have several non-fiction books I am wanting to tackle too.....

if only there were more time.

Winding Down Vacation

2012-01-06T13:20:00.001-06:00

I started out Monday morning armed with a list of things to get done this week. Though I have a couple that are not 100% yet, I am really proud of what I have gotten done.

Those who know me well know I am an organizational freak, I bought a P-touch labeler on black Friday and am in the process of labeling everything I can think of. My first project of the week was the dog closet which is really a shoe organizer hung on the door to the attic. It is a great space though because I can fit all their toys, medicines, sweaters, hairbows, etc, in each individual pocket. The pockets now all have labels.

The next thing on my list was to clean out my kitchen cabinets; done.

I always wait until after New Year's to take down the Christmas decorations--they are down, with the exception of my nativity set, which belonged to my grandmother. I leave it on the fireplace mantel until Easter. It is one of my most treasured possessions and I feel it deserves more time than just a month before Christmas.

My coupons are cleaned out and organized, menus done for January, grocery list done for January and notebook set up to keep track of all of the above.

I have made three thank you notes, and am half way finished with a birthday card--those all accomplished in my new craft room.

I still have some work to do on the craft room before I post pictures. I am actually waiting right now to hear from a craigslist seller about a desk. I moved a smaller desk upstairs to replace the one I took downstairs but I just don't care for it like I thought I would. It just so happened I found an identical desk to mine on craigslist this morning, now I am just praying it is still available. If it is, Andrew and I will be taking a road trip.

So, I have two things on my list that MIGHT not be completely finished before Monday--straightening up my garage and getting the craft room completed. If we get to go the desk, they probably won't get done, if we don't, they will.

I am still very excited about the start to my year......and I hate to say it, but I am starting to having withdrawal from work too.

Love vacation but love the fact that I have a job that I WANT to go back to.

First project of the year-DONE!

2012-01-05T07:09:00.000-06:00

and it isn't even MY project!

We have been working on a few "combined" projects that will end up with one big one done....getting the shop ready for Robert to use to work on cars this summer.

A few years ago, we brought the old coal burning stove that was in my house when I was a baby. The guys put it in the garage and it was super. The drawbacks though, were it was huge, took up a lot of space and had a crack in it that spit out hot embers--not a good combination when you have a gasoline-powered vehicle in close proximity.

The guys decided they wanted a new box wood stove. With Christmas money in hand, they purchased one on Tuesday and got it installed yesterday. I love the fact that it also gives us security should an ice storm hit. We have a gas fireplace that we could use but it doesn't put out a lot of heat. We also have two kerosene heaters for the basement, but the wood stove in the garage is even fixed so we can cook on it. Just a nice comforting thought should the lights go out.

I made the list mentioned a couple of posts back---Andrew says it sounds like we are in for a busy year. I really think it is easy compared to some of the last lists though. Most are small projects, not huge undertakings. A few things here and there. New paint and border in one room, a floor refinished in another, counter tops, just "here and there" stuff instead of gutting anything and starting over. Looking forward to all our little improvements though.

I am working fervently on my craft room this week. Our basement is unfinished so it isn't going to be "beautiful" but functional is what I am aiming for, hopefully by Saturday I can post pictures of it. I am super-excited at the possibilities. To top it off, I have it set up to where I can work on scrapbooking and see a tv---one that is NOT showing football, or hockey, or nascar, that in itself will be a plus (sorry guys).

Super Simple Alfredo

2012-01-03T20:03:00.000-06:00

One of my all time favorite recipes and really simple.

I found the sauce recipe in a Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook years ago and it has been a staple ever since. I add different things to make it different meals, shrimp, crab meat, Italian veggies; my menu tonight called for blackened chicken.

Philly Alfredo

1/2 cup butter
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Cut butter and cream cheese into chunks, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth, add milk and cheese, continue stirring until smooth.

That's it, takes about 15 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta. I used Penne tonight. Robert doesn't like fettuccine or spaghetti so I normally do shorter pastas, but that's a personal thing. You can also use light cream cheese as well as light margarine and Parmesan, I have done this when I am dieting hard and it is still good, not as good as using all regular, but good and really, the sauce is so rich a little goes a long way. (Serves 4-6)

My blackened chicken was a cheater thing tonight (hey, I AM on vacation). I normally buy bags of chicken breasts when they are on sale and cook one bag off the bat and cut them up and freeze them so they are quick, but I also buy the precooked chicken strips when I have coupons and I did a month or so ago so I had a bag of these in the freezer. I spiced them up with a little Cajun seasoning and threw them in a hot skillet for a few minutes. Then, to get the "TGIFriday's" effect, I chopped tomatoes for the edge, little parsley on top, pop a piece of garlic bread on the side and we have supper.

Home!

2012-01-02T08:36:00.001-06:00

Andrew and I ended our journey with a trip to the Kentucky Flea Market. Quite an experience, reminded me of Covered Bridge, it was huge. Bought a new purse, socks, and a calendar--I was living dangerously, huh?

We got home yesterday evening around 6:30, when Robert got home we took him out to Bdubs. I have to say, I was impressed with the looks of my house when I got home and the dishes were in the dishwasher and had already been washed....yep, he didn't disappoint and yes, he WILL make someone a great hubby one of these days.

So, today is the start of my vacation. I have vowed to stay away from work as the last time I was on vacation, I spent most of my day hours on the phone for conference calls. I went so far as to delete my email account off of my cell so things don't just pop up for me to worry about. I have a lot of projects planned for this week so it would be good to concentrate on home this week.

And then there is the fact that it is New Years.....Resolutions....I don't make them. I do set goals for myself and for things for our family. I love writing down what we want to accomplish and being able to look back and see we did what we set out to do. The back bath project was one that wasn't finished last January and it is gorgeous now. Robert wanted a job and a better vehicle, and he has both. So, part of today (since it is the LEGAL holiday--my disclaimer for not doing this yesterday) will be spent writing down what we want to get done this year. I know one is work on the porch and another is to get my craft room done. The craft room hopefully will be done by the end of this month though.

Of course, I HAVE to watch the parade---it's a special one since it is on the 2nd. We actually marched on the 2nd when we were there. The coolest thing about that was we got to go to the Disneyland New Year's eve party which most of the time, the band's didn't get to do because they had to be lined up at 5 a.m. I will never forget that trip and I sit and cry through the parade because I am so darned proud of the fact that we still have young people out there willing to work their tails off to get to do this. There is always hard work not only in the preparation for the parade but in the raising the money to get there. People, this instills that work ethic at a young age that employers want for the rest of their lives. It makes you realize things worth having are worth working for. And the things that you work for are so much sweeter than the ones that are handed to you. I washed a heck of a lot of windows and cars, raked tons of leaves, and cleaned plenty of houses to get there but we did it, even when things were tough at our house.......and of course, there were a few special people who would put money in a birthday card and say, "Just think Roses until January". I didn't mean to get on this but the day we found out we were going, I called my mom, I could hear the worry in her voice of how we would pay for it. I promised her I would do everything in my power to raise my money and I did. Anyway, I think that was the first time I really saw what I could do if I set my mind to it and as I said above, it was a life lesson that has served me well.

So, Happy 2012 everyone. One of my goals is to blog more. I have had several people tell me they want me to share some of my organizational secrets, money-saving tips, and craft ideas. I am still trying to figure out if I want to do that or not. Yes, I like the fact that I do my menus a month at a time, use coupons for everything I can (I saved $13 on our trip because of coupons), and love when I come out of the grocery store with a full trunk and have spent less than $50 but I don't know that it is everyone else's cup of tea.

Happy Monday everybody!

Great Escape 2011-- Day 2

2012-01-01T02:03:00.001-06:00

Today started with a trip to the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Andrew is a big history buff so when I found this, I knew we had to stop by. There is nothing more humbling than seeing a national cemetery. It reminds us very quickly that freedom is not free:

The next stop was Muth's Candies, I had seen it on the food channel and thought we should stop in, it has been in business, ran by the same family for 90 years. I took pictures but never got a picture of the grandson, in his late 50's or early 60's and very eager to talk about his business--as well as constantly running to the back to bring us samples of about everything in the store. We walked out with homemade dark chocolate covered marshmallows for me and homemade licorice carmels for Andrew.

Our next stop was the Fraizer Weapons Museum. I did not take pictures...I was afraid to on some places and didn't think of it on others. It is a really nice museum and looks at weapons and war from England through the Civil War. My favorite part was a special photography exhibit (that had nothing to do with War) that was shot in Kentucky by three photographers who split up the state and took pictures in every county from 1975 through 1977 as a part of the Nation's bicentennial celebration. Those pictures were fascinating. It amazes me to look at someone who, in our standards, have so little but yet see that in reality, their simplicity of life makes them very rich.

We got there at 11 and left at 1:30 so we kinda missed lunch. I didn't want to spoil our dinner plans so we did make a little detour off of the "no chains" weekend and hit one of our all time favorite regional chains for a snack. We have such a history with Skyline Chili that I don't think it could be considered cheating on our vows to not eat at chains this weekend. After all, it is still something not available to us at home. We were introduced to Skyline Chili in the spring after we were married, when Andrew was working at a Walmart outside of Cincinnati (the HOME of Skyline chili) and I went to visit.

My cheesy coney

Andrew and his chili cheese fries

We headed back to our hotel to rest a bit. The coolest thing happened when we got to our Drury yesterday. I LOVE Drury Inns and part of that stems from experiences in Fairview Heights. We go there and are treated like royalty. We have stayed at the Drury Plaza in downtown St. Louis and although it is nice, there is just something about walking into a hotel and the receptionist knowing you when you walk in the door. That is why we go to Fairview Heights, there is a girl there that I won't be surprised if one day she isn't running the company. We walked into our Drury here in Louisville yesterday and low and behold, there was Rachel....how odd was that and of course, she knew us. I thought for a second there was some weird cloning, robot thing going on, but no, she had been asked if she would like to cover a shortage here and said sure, she would love the travel. I had originally just gotten us a King deluxe room so it was just one room but with a couch in it. She asked if we would like to upgrade to a suite for $15 more. We decided sure and when it all was said and done, she pulled it off and it only cost me $9 more--total. I think they must work 12 hour shifts but she is always up, excited and raring to go. As we came back in this evening, she was heading up the elevator with a vacuum cleaner because someone had an accident. Anyway, that just added to the "perfectness" of this weekend.

SOOO....After our rest, we headed back downtown for our Dinner Cruise on the Spirit of Jefferson. I loved this! I am not ever going to be a big fan of going on a big cruise, I don't like the idea of being someplace I can't get away from. I honestly have NO desire to go on a cruise---Andrew doesn't either so we are a good pair but a two hour excursion down the river and back, while eating fantastic food--that we can handle.

Just going to add a disclaimer here, someday I will be off the high doses of prednisone and maybe my face will be not quite so round!

setting up the buffet

The dinning room

dining room

our dinner, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Roast Beef and all the trimmings

Our boat

Skyline from my seat

All in all, an awesome end to 2011. Yes, we were on the "Early Bird" tour and actually celebrated New Year's at 7 p.m. but not being drinkers, it was perfect for us, more calm than party. We even went out and sat on the deck for a bit, while drinking hot cider and watched the world go by.

Happy 2012!

The Great Escape 2011--Empty Nest Edition--Day 1

2012-01-01T01:24:00.002-06:00

Andrew and I celebrated our 20th annivesary on the 6th of December. We planned a getaway for New Year's weekend to celebrate. In the past, it has always been the "three peas in a pod" tour but Robert wanted to work so Andrew and I sat out on an adventure all on our own. We didn't take a vacation this summer and honestly the only time we had gotten away at all was when my father-in-law's girlfriend passed away so it was high time.
We have had a great time so far, one more day to go.....but highlights so far....

Day 1:

Safier Mediterraian Grill

Andrew's lunch Kabob and Grape Leaves

My lunch Shawarma

and hummos

Then, Andrew's main annivesary present: a trip to Ali Center:

I have to say, I don't think this was what we expected. I honestly believe I like Muhammad Ali more BEFORE we went. There are a lot of things about him I didn't know, or was too young to remember. Hopefully he had became older and wiser but I wouldn't want some of the things displayed about me that was displayed about him. It was interesting, let's put it that way.

For Dinner, I found a native Louisville restaurant that has branched out into multiple places around Louisville. When we saw the food, we understood why.

I didn't take pictures of the appetizers but their specialty is Fried Green Tomatoes---I believe they were the best I ever had.

We then ordered 10 oz Blackened Steaks, what came out on our plates were nothing short of roasts--cooked to perfection and smothered in mushrooms and peppers. Quite honestly the best steak either of us have had for a while:

We followed that up by a trip to Oxmoor Mall, mainly to walk some of this off and then to Lights Under Louisville. Apparently there are 17 miles of manmade caverns under Louisville, At Christmas, they decorate them. It was amazing and being in a cave, it was around 58 degrees, so eventhough it was cold and rainy outside, we rolled the windows down and had a perfect view:

Christmas 2011

2012-01-01T00:59:00.001-06:00

Christmas didn't quite go as I had planned this year but it was still good. Due to my recent UC flare, dinner ended up being at Mom's. As much as I hated all of it to happen at the last minute, I have to say it was really nice to just enjoy it.

We opened presents on Christmas eve, since Christmas was on Sunday and so we added going to church in the festivities for Christmas morning. I think everyone was happy with their presents. Andrew and I basically had a list from black Friday so we knew what we were getting. Robert had a list too but had a couple of things thrown in as surprises. It was good.

Sunday evening, we took Nila and Richard to see the house at T-town, that was about it for our big excitement of Christmas. Sometimes, quite and small is just not a bad thing.

I made most of my Christmas presents this year, as well as my Christmas cards. After I had started the cards, I found a million more ideas and have plenty of inspiration for next year. I think making the things for other people is my favorite part of Christmas so as long as my health holds out, I plan to do the same next year.
Here is a sampling of the presents:

Etching mugs, LOVED how this turned out!

Shadowboxes with jingle bells and vinyl cut with the Cricut.

Mugs, soaps and lip balms for coworkers.

Just a few days to go....

2011-12-20T05:40:00.001-06:00

I made my last trip to Walmart yesterday, I am planning a grocery trip on Friday or Saturday and then that is it. I am extremely proud of my spending this year. I didn't overdo it and it feels pretty good at the moment. There are plenty of gifts under the tree and Robert even has a few surprises, the main things he wanted though were tools and so even though they are for Christmas, I consider them an investment in his future--and still we got them on Black Friday so I got really good prices on them. Andrew and I know everything that is under the tree for each other too, but as I mentioned earlier, they were things we wanted and the BF sales, made them so very reasonable. We are taking a weekend trip for New Year's and I would just as leave spend my money then as spend it on stuff just to have things under the tree.....he is the same way.

I have had a bad few days as far as the UC is concerned, calling the doctor today. I went down to 25 mg of prednisone Saturday. Sunday afternoon I started cramping and this morning, I am bleeding. I have kinda figured out the target so I know if he ups the prednisone again, what to try to avoid at all costs this time. I have also been into some junk food/Christmas food and that just doesn't work for me. When will I learn? Hopefully today.

So, three more days of work and then off until the 27th, then 3 more days and I start vacation. I really don't have a lot to do this weekend and that feels great. Dust and sweep the house, cook Christmas dinner and that's about it. I am also (once again) very happy that if I want to, I can "de-Christmas" the house in an evening--especially if I have Robert take the tree down one of his days home. I am thinking about having that done before we leave for our trip. Robert isn't going with us, work comes first and with books to buy for a new semester, he is needing the money.

I think that's the "Browning report" for right now, nothing too exciting, just keepin' on keepin' on.

Happy Tuesday......

My Christmas Songs of the Year

2011-12-17T08:28:00.002-06:00

I regret that I was blogging so little last year that I didn't put down what my "Christmas song of the Year" was. I know year before last it was Christmastime is Here--made popular by the Charlie Brown Christmas Special but for some reason, last year....I can't even remember.

This year though, there are two. I alternate depending on what mood I am in. I want my song to be A Christmas to Remember by Amy Grant, and for the most part, it is. I am looking very forward to Christmas this year. My sis and BIL are staying from late Christmas eve until the day after Christmas, that makes Christmas so relaxing, no "hurry and get things done because we gotta go home". Yes, as always, I am hoping for snow.....there is just something about snow on Christmas.

At the same time though (and partially thanks to last week's Glee and my friend Sarah) Joni Mitchell's "River" pops through my head and as much as I don't want to admit it, there are just things about this Christmas that are sad to me. Seems so many people I care about have lost people they care about this year and so many of my friends are going through some real uncertainty and not so good times with their health, family and finances. I have spent a lot of time praying for a lot of friends this year.....I know part of it is we are all getting older but part of me feels like the closer we get to Christ's return, the more we are going to see of this. It seems like a lot of us have come to realize things like, it's not IF you get cancer, it's WHEN you get cancer. The more we have to realize things like this, the more we have to put our faith in God and just thank him for sending us a Savior, and a Comforter to get us through this.

So, pick which one you are in the mood for and click on the following as my gift to you this Christmas.

A Christmas to Remember

River

The Christmas Countdown

2011-12-12T07:25:00.000-06:00

Here we go, two weeks from today and Christmas 2011 will be in the books. Normally by this time I am crazy with trying to get a million things done. I still have a million things on my list but am bound and determined not to let it stress me out this year. It is doable, very doable and I actually plan to have everything done and under control by Saturday--it's a goal and I really can see it working out.

This weeks list:

Finish the crafts I am making for Christmas presents
Put finishing touches on homemade cards, sign and send
Finish shopping for the boy I adopted for Christmas
Make menus for Christmas day
Make grocery list for food I am making for presents
Move craft stuff to the basement (with help and cooperation from the guys)
Go shopping one last time.

Yep, that looks like the list. Taking this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon off as personal time--taking next Monday too, I think we will do a little shopping that day as well, but if it all goes as planned, it will just be picking up a few things, not really Christmas shopping.

Robert's last Final is this coming Wednesday and then he will be out until the 6th----hope he knows I still have plans for him!

I am really glad now I made the decision not to go overboard this year....I'm already liking that.

Off to work, Happy Monday!

The day finally came!

2011-12-10T06:19:00.001-06:00

Back in June, at my first recheck from my first visit to my gastroenterologist, I thought I was doing so much better than I had been--no, I WAS doing so much better than I had been that I was happy with the results. (Warning: bodily function graphics ahead). I had went from an average of 25-30 bathroom trips a day, most without any warning to 7 or 8 and a little warning. I was, at the time, very happy with that, and told my doctor I was doing great. Beleive me, when you go from having NO warning and not even making it from your office to the bathroom, which is just down the hall to knowing you know you have to go, its an improvement--let alone the fact that what you see is more blood that BM. His response" Uh....no, you're not". He told me that day he would consider my Ulcerative Colitis still flaring until I only had 2 or at the most 3 bowel movements a day, and not be diarrhea. I thought he was dreaming but we went to work on upping prednisone continuously until the 19th of November, it finally happened.

I got up that morning and went to the bathroom...normal stool. At about 8 p.m, I had my second one, still normal. It has been that way ever since and I have still been in shock. I have not been like this in over 2 years. I am loving every minute of it. The look on Dr. Peterson's face, he is too. When I told the nurse how great I was doing, she said, "You will make his weekend, you are his last patient of the day." And it DID seem to make his day. I love that he loves what he is doing enough to get really excited about the results.

I told him I was having the normal side effects of the prednisone now that I didn't have diarrhea, weight gain. He is so funny, he is probably 6 foot tall, about my age, or a couple years older and not a string bean. He had put in my last notes that I was "slightly overweight", I giggled about it for two days because as flattered as I was, facts are facts, I'm fat.

Anyway, he told me if I "wanted" to start working on the weight he would help me, so we are starting that journey. Eventhough I am supposed to write down every bite I eat and count the calories, I am not supposed to look for anything to happen for a few more weeks because of the prednisone. He took the time to explain to me why the prednisone causes people to gain wait. You know that commercial on tv about women and cortisol? Well, prednisone is a manmade form of cortisol. Healthy cotisol levels should be around 7 mgs in the human body at any one time. I am taking 40 mg every day......my body has stopped producing the cortisol because it senses the prednisone, but having the 40 mgs still causes the same effects--hunger and weight gain. I dropped to 30 mgs yesterday and will decrease 5 mg a week until I get to 10. He warned me that when I drop below 10 (which I will do at 2 1/2 mg intervals instead of 5) I will have some days I feel rough, no relapse or anything (we hope) but my body will need to start adjusting to making it's own cortisol again and it will kinda shock my system. See why I think this guy is great? He took the time to prepare me.

Any sign of going back to a flare, and I call him, otherwise, he doesn't want to do a colonoscopy because it has been so long since I have felt normal that he doesn't want to run the risk of throwing me into another flare...also most appreciated here.

So today I start yet another chapter in my life. I have kinda joked around that I couldn't lose weight because then I would be perfect----seriously, I'm JOKING!! But it does seem to be the only thing I have never been able to tackle if I tried, now I am going to try harder. Don't know what I will end up with but I never knew how much I missed something until I couldn't do it. I am ready to get back on a routine.

On a brighter note, shopped til I dropped yesterday with Mom, good times, I'm glad she was able to go with me--made the day a treat in every way.

The Big 2-0

2011-12-06T18:48:00.001-06:00

It is really hard to imagine that 20 years ago today, I became a wife. What a wild ride it has been, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Don't know if I ever shared this, but when I first started working for Walmart, Rita Seimer introduced me to the overnight manager, his name was Drew and the first time I met him, he was wearing a purple shirt with a frog on it, it said "Kiss me, I might be a prince". Rita even commented to me about the shirt after she and I walked away--she had bought it, I said, it was cute. She asked if I meant the shirt or Drew. I just laughed, but the thought honestly did cross my mind.

"Drew" and I were friends from there on out. He was my boss so he was most definitely off limits but we were still friends. We had a mutual friend who knew more from each of us than he would admit for a long time. I used to catch shoplifters, this friend, whose name was Mike, was my mentor. One day, Mike pointblank told me that he had to tell Drew to let me be that day. I had gotten beat up by a shoplifter one time and after that, if Drew was working, the people would end up dumping what they had.....I had no idea that Drew was making them nervous and making them dump it. Anyway, Mike was the catalyst that caused us to finally go out after work one night. A week later, we went on our first official date (I was officially done with the Effingham store the night we went out after work--so we could FINALLY date) and 6 weeks later, we made the trip to Kentucky to tie the knot.

Why did I put "Drew"---I had called him Drew for 2 years, on our way to meet his folks, 20 minutes outside of town, he tells me his mom hates for people to call him anything but Andrew. I have called him Andrew ever since.

We are at home this evening, we knew when we got married that doing anything big right before Christmas is impossible if you work in retail. We are planning a trip over New Year's to Louisville. I am taking him to the Ali museum and he is taking me on a New Year's eve dinner cruise.....can't wait!

Into December

2011-12-04T05:58:00.001-06:00

It amazes me that time could go any faster, but it does. How is it that I remember those times as a child that it took forever for a certain day here or there to get here? The day school was out, the first day of a family trip.....Christmas??? Now it seems like it gets here before you know it.

I have decided this year to downsize Christmas as our house---not the meaning mind you, but all the preparation and decorating. I normally decorate every nook and cranny in the house and yesterday morning, I decided I wasn't doing it. I have the tree up, the mantle decked out and of course the porch as well as the kitchen is decorated and I have declared it enough. I couldn't do it on my own though, I had to have someone validate my thoughts. I called my mom, not home. So when Robert got up, I asked him if it would be okay.....yep, he says, "I always thought you went overboard anyway". So, when Mom called, I told her I had decided to do this.....her response: "I always thought you went overboard anyway". So there you have, my official permission to get by with this. Yes, pangs of guilt sweep up every once in a while and I think, "I should just run up and get this, or that and put it out. I hate the "I have to do it all" syndrome I have....and am fighting it like killing snakes. My reward is telling myself over and over again, it will only take me about half a day after Christmas to get life around here back to normal. We have a couple of other projects in the works so eventhough I am planning vacation the week after New Years, I really do like the idea of it not being spent taking down Christmas. Whew, now that's off my chest.

The main project we are getting ready for is the basement. It is not finished and we have no big schemes to finish it now either. We are repurposing it though. It had always been the "teen cave" but now, with Robert's friends scattered, it hasn't been used for that lately. When his friends do come home, they end up in the family room now, if here at all. So, Robert is needing more room in the garage to work on cars, Andrew is wanting a place to do woodworking ( which he never honestly got to do with his shop in the garage because it was always pushed aside to work on cars) and I want a craft room. I made my own Christmas cards this year, and the fact that I had my dining room a mess while doing it drove me nuts. We are still in the moving stuff down there and laying out plans stage but I am hoping to have everything 100% by the end of the first week of January. Should be great!

I keep waiting for life to slow down because Robert is out of high school, it hasn't, it has just changed. This week, he had ballgames on Friday and Saturday night both to play at for pep band. He went to work after he got home from them, which means he has had a couple of really late nights. Andrew is supposed to be working three twelve-hour days, in reality, he is working three twelves and a nine. And then there is my work, which just remains interesting and crazy and fun all wrapped into one. Thursday I got an email from the state wanting to come and do a site visit on one of our offices.....this was an honor because the people who are working on the software for our new program wants to see how it is working and how we are interacting with it. They want to go someplace where they know the workers know what they are doing. This will happen either Wednesday or Thursday of this week and I have chosen the Paris office for them to visit.

On the medical front, I go back to my gastroenterolist on Friday. I have had, as of today, 2 really great weeks. I have not had one bad day since the 18th of November. The downside----since the diarrhea has stopped, I am getting the typical weight gain from the prednisone that everyone else gets. I do at least feel like getting on the treadmill though so I have been trying to combat it. I believe he will start weening me back of the prednisone, I was not happy thinking about this at first but I think I am ready because this watching what you eat and still gaining is for the birds.

I think that catches up our lives, church this morning, shopping this afternoon, church this evening and then back to the grind tomorrow.

Life is good!

I'm a Believer.......

2011-11-30T21:03:00.001-06:00

in cataract surgery. I had seen a couple of people have this surgery and come out the other side being able to see better than they had in years but tonight I saw it first hand. My 84-year-old uncle had a cataract removed around 4:30 this evening. At 5:17, he could see the clock, through the bad eye, with a steel mesh patch over it....unbelievable.

The thing that I got the biggest kick out of though was my mom. She has spent WAY more than her fair share in operating rooms, which tallies up to me, and various members of my family spending same said time waiting. There is a reason God put her on the table, she is not a good waiter. I thought it was funny, I know she didn't, but I remember countless times that she would be in surgery for 6 to 8 hours and we would be waiting. They took Uncle Jr back at 10 til 3, they called at 10 after 5, those apparently were the longest 2 hours of her life. She started worrying at 5 after 3 and by 10 til 5 was about fit to be tied.

Anyway, I don't believe you could say anything except the surgery was a success. They go back tomorrow but all the way home, he was telling what he could see and how happy he was. Yep, I'm a believer.

Happy 47th Baby!

2011-11-28T05:46:00.001-06:00

Andrew celebrated his 47th birthday yesterday. He spent the day working, 7:30 a.m. to 8 last night. His request for his birthday though was still a steak and a pineapple cheesecake.

So, at 8:45 last night, I treated him to a very rare New York strip, baked potato, scalloped corn (the way his momma made, not the way I made), Texas toast and his pineapple cheesecake. It dawned on me earlier this year that I have been a terrible wife all this time. His favorite cheesecake is Pineapple, I make it once a year......why? I don't know, because that is what I always fixed him for his birthday, and for some dumb reason, it never occurred to me that he could enjoy it other times as well. Oh well, New Year's resolution, make my husband more pineapple cheesecake.

What did he get for his birthday? Well, he is wanting some major work done on the jeep, before winter. Most of it he and Robert can do themselves, but some has to be taken to a machine shop to be customized. That's what I am paying for. Then, just because I couldn't let him not have a present to open, he got a beard trimmer and a nose hair trimmer set. Probably age-appropriate there on the nose hair thing, it says you can also use it on your ears, yep, he's starting to need that too.

Anyway, back to the grind today, but at least we had a little birthday in there!

Black Friday---GREAT Friday

2011-11-25T19:40:00.004-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I think my kid is about as perfect as anyone could get here on earth--99% of the time anyway. Today, I think I kinda realized why I think that--he is my kid, through and through. And as he turns into an adult, I love the fact that I still love spending time with him and more importantly, that he loves spending time with me.

This morning, we left at 3:30 and headed to Evansville for Black Friday. I had a list 3 pages long, complete with the addresses to type into Georgia, the GPS. Our first stop was supposed to be Lowes, to get Robert an impact wrench set he was wanting, it was one of the doorbuster specials and low and behold, YESTERDAY, you could buy Lowe's Black Friday stuff online and pick it up in the store today. That cut an hour off our time, so our first stop was Menards @ 6:00. When we arrived, people were lined up all the way out to the highway. Cars were parked in the grass medians, in the road, behind other cars....my first thought was it wasn't worth it, but quite honestly, the Menards list was the longest, and had Andrew's entire Christmas wish list on it. Robert was driving, he drove around for a little bit and would you believe, some guy, who had the parking spot RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE OUT DOOR, decided to leave, and we were sitting right there. He started backing out and Robert put on his turn signal. There was a Cadillac Escalade, pulled up behind the guy, I KNOW he saw our turn signal but started to pull forward. Robert put his foot in it and pulled in the parking spot. I started to say something and he said, "Would you have not done the exact same thing?" and in all honestly, I had to answer yes (while yelling TOWANDA!!! of course). He says, "Then shut up!". That was probably the only hint of rude we saw all day. We sat in the car until they unlocked the doors, very calmly walked to the end of the line, entered the store, asked a lady where some key things were and away we went. I went to get the cricut cartridges and Robert went for everything else. Believe it or not, when we met back up, we had found (for the most part Robert had found) everything on our list except one $5.oo trimmer and nobody had asked for it, it was just something I thought would be good to have. So then we get up to the line for the register and not one, but two people told us to get ahead of them because they were still waiting on other people. That was the only crazy place we were in and it was great. The next stop was to find me a P-touch labeler. If you know me, you also know I am an organizational freak. I have one of these at work and love it. I have had so many thoughts on how I could use this at home--one of the main ones is labeling all the tops of the dresser drawers so when Andrew puts my clothes away when doing laundry, he knows where they go. Last year, I missed them at Staples, they were $10.00. The one I have at work I got for free so I didn't know how much they were. I thought it was no big deal, I would just buy one anyway.....$40, yes, I am a tightwad when I know that one day a year, I can get it for $10. So I have waited, for the last 365 days. Today, we left Menards and headed for Staples, but on the way, I saw Office Depot and knew they had the labeler for $10 also. We pulled in, Robert dropped me off at the door, I walked in, asked the guy where they were, he took me right to it and handed me one. I was in Duck heaven! Meanwhile, Robert nabbed his SECOND front door parking space of the day. Harbor Freight was next on the list, this would finish out both guy's Christmas lists. We went in, got everything we needed, out, loaded the big thing (a 12 ton press--Robert's Christmas from Nana) into the van and we were off again. At this point, absolutely everything that was a "have to have" was marked off the list. We hit several other stores and bought several more things--Robert new boots, me a new cape and purse, another cricut cartridge, Christmas decorations.....yep, it was a haul and the best part was, we just plain out had fun.

So, we arrived home at 2:30, took a nap until 4 and decided to decorate the porch with the new garland I bought today. The garland was so nice ($30 for $6 nice) that I decided we needed new lights for it. So, we loaded up and drove back to Olney to Walmart, came home and our porch is now decked out for the holidays.

I love my life........as I started to type this, Robert brought me a hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows, yep, don't think it gets much better.

So, it is officially the "Christmas season" for me. I love this time of year. This will be my 20th Christmas with Andrew, we get to celebrate our anniversary in just a little over a week.

I have been asked by several people why I dont' blog anymore. I honestly didn't know anybody every still read it, I miss blogging honestly and have decided to try to get back at it. So, this is my New Year's resolution, but I'm gonna start practicing now.

Happy Black Friday everyone!

What a Ride

2011-08-31T19:35:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I have some friends out there who think my life is a real adventure. There are a lot of days that I really don't see what they do, but today; reflecting over the last few months--it is nothing short of one wild ride.

We start a new part of the LIHEAP program tomorrow. a new optional benefit is being added to the line-up. Normally, we help low income families by paying a lump sum towards their utility bills in the winter. Two years ago, a new law was passed by the Illinois Congress that we offer a Percentage of Income Payment Plan. It is a good deal for families who are trying to work their way to a better life--the downside is right now, the only clients it is available to are Ameren clients. I believe that will change over the next few years. The deal is, most middle class families spend between 3% and 6% of their income to pay their heating and electric bills. Low-income families can pay between 20% and 50%. The PIPP (pronounced Pip-not P-I-P-P) lets the customer pay 6% of their income a month towards their bill and we will pay an additional amount up to $150 a month. Of course, this is the "simplest form", there are a lot of rules, and hoops as normal, but I am still excited about the prospect. We have been running a "Pilot" program for two years, I have 110 clients over 9 counties that have been participating religiously.
Up until now, it has all been by hand, and not under the mandates of the state law. The law requires the PIPP go into effect by September 1, 2011. I have spent most of the summer working with a group of people from all over the state helping lay this thing out and make it run smoothly. As far as the program itself, I believe it is in the best position it could be to begin. We have a new computer system along with it and even though it is not perfect, I believe with time, it will be good. I have also been involved with the look and feel of a lot of this.

This past weekend, we were supposed to get those people we already have in the program into the system. My part was supposed to get done Saturday, that didn't happen due to unforeseen problems with the system. Monday, I worked until 9:15 (I would have stayed longer but Andrew lured me home with Baked Ravioli in the oven). Tuesday, I went in at 6:30 and because the system was down, left at 4. Tonight, I was down to 7 apps that were causing problems. At 7:00 one of the girls from Ameren called and said she had everything she needed from me. I closed my computer.

Now I am looking back over where I have been and what I have become. 11 years ago tomorrow was my first day of my first LIHEAP season. I started working for ERBA 15 days before the previous season was over and just saw an app or two done before we were out of money for that program. I was so very "green" to Community Action. I really didn't know what I was getting into, or how much it would mean to me personally to be "Helping People, Changing Lives". Today I read an article in MORE magazine. It was an article about being able to work for a non-profit. It was so funny because we held a meeting on Monday and I told the girls that I felt like we were the most fortunate of all because people are always talking about helping others, making a difference and seeing change. We get to do all of that AND bring home a paycheck.

Yep, it has been one of the busiest summers of my life, but one I will never forget.

Yep, my 110 families are safe and sound in the PIPP system tonight. And my feeling of accomplishment is almost overwhelming.

Happy Um...Birthday

2011-08-25T07:04:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, the kid turned 19. It was an eventful day at our house and we ended up celebrating his birthday at 11:30 last night, approximately 12 hours after the exact anniversary of his birth.

Of course, he started to school Monday and with mine and Andrew's work schedules, Robert realized on Sunday that we would not be in the same house, at the same time before 10 p.m. before Thursday, aka, today.

He knew what he was getting for his birthday and with his college classes starting the next day, he asked if he couldn't possibly open his present on Sunday. So, this is usually reserved for that time in life when your kid is out of the nest, but we celebrated PART of his birthday Sunday evening. He got Dell's equivalent to an Ipad and has been using it daily to take notes at school, so I am glad we gave it to him. It should ensure his test grade from this coming Sunday night being an A.

The second part of his birthday was celebrated with an Ice Cream Cake when he came home from work last night. Andrew managed to get home a few minutes early, so I honestly walked in the door with the ice cream about 5 minutes before Robert had to leave for work. I hadn't ate supper and we had groceries to carry in, so we decided to wait until later.

I went to the doctor yesterday and my prayer for prednisone was answered. Things aren't perfect yet but I already am feeling a difference.

Oh, and yes, I celebrated my 44th last week...highlights was going out for dinner on Sunday, Robert getting me a B&N card for my nook and Andrew paying for my Pampered Chef order. All in all a pretty good time for 44.

Life is crazy, work is crazy, but it's still a good ride.

Happy Thursday!

Getting ready for the crazies.

2011-07-30T08:04:00.000-05:00

August is trying to sneak up on me and unfortunately, the laid back times that we have had for the last 6-8 weeks are coming to an end. I'm not sure, but I think I might be okay with that. I honestly think I function better when life is a whirlwind. I always used to anyway. The UC has changed all that but I have renewed faith in some things with that so we shall see. I stopped ALL of my medicines Tuesday because I felt like I was getting worse with it than without it. I started back on the sulfa medicine yesterday because it is the one that I truly thought was working. When I don't take anything and I am having a flare, I start having a problem urinating. It's weird that my colon could affect that but I physically feel like my colon is so swollen that it is cutting off my bladder. Anyway, I started back on the sulfa meds at noon yesterday and about 3:00 this morning, I woke up needing to pee. I know, it's graphic, but facts are facts. I was REALLY happy that I knew my kidneys were working. I also found a low residue diet yesterday online that is supposed to help people with colon problems. I had originally been told to just make sure I cook most of my veggies--and I had but low and behold, I found out a lot of the foods I have been eating are things that I am NOT supposed to be eating while I am having a flare-raw OR cooked. Broccoli is one of the mainstays of my diet. I knew it was a natural blood thinner and I couldn't eat it if I was bleeding but we eat cooked broccoli at least 3 times a week, cauliflower too for that matter. They are both on the "avoid" list, no matter how they are prepared. Anyway, there were many things on this list that I eat on a daily basis. I am looking forward to seeing what changing the diet does. I really have a renewed energy about this getting better. Sunday and Monday, at Springfield, I was so miserable that I had decided I was probably going to be doomed to surgery. Now at least I have hope for a while. I go back on the 24th, hopefully I will have improved by then. Most people who have this seem to have a flare that last a few weeks and then it goes away for a year or so. Most people don't have more than one flare a year. Honestly, in the last 2 years, I have had 5 really, really normal weeks. Unfortunately, it was only while I was on the prednisone, which doctors say with my age and the dose I have to take (20mg), I can't do on a regular basis.

Anyway, enough of that....on to our "real" life.

I started teaching classes again last Tuesday night. As always, totally different bunch of people. It's going to be a good class and I have 1 more new one joining us this week.

For the most part of the last two years I have been involved in the planning stages of a new program to help low-income families with their utility bills. We are in the final days of the preparation. I get to start actually testing the new computer system for it this coming Wednesday. Everything is supposed to kick off September 1.

The 8th, Andrew goes to a new doctor at Terre Haute for his back. We have friends who believe this guy can help. I have been praying fervently that they are right. 46 is too young to be walking with a cane.

Robert starts school on the 22nd. He GETS to go buy books anytime after next Tuesday---to the tune of about $600. Of course, most of his graduation money went to buy the $1,000+ worth of tools and boxes he needed for school. So very, very thankful he got the scholarships because in the realm of things, we aren't paying much for him to go to school.

To top it off, his car goes to the body shop next Monday, at least he has the El Camino up and running so he can drive it to work next week.

I still have pictures from our St. Louis trip to post, maybe sometime this weekend.

That's life in a nutshell. Happy Saturday y'all, enjoy the weekend!

First One to Fly the Coop

2011-07-22T06:02:00.000-05:00

Sunday August 10th, one of my "other" sons left for the Army. Sure am going to miss this kid being around all the time. This is the one who comes home, even if Robert isn't here yet, let's the dogs out, answers the phone if it rings, raids the fridge and always loves my cooking. He turned 18 on the 20th. Hope he had a happy birthday--as happy as it can get when going through basic anyway. Already looking forward to his first trip home.

AAGGGHHHH!!!! or ahhhhhhhhhh.....

2011-07-13T06:12:00.000-05:00

This post was originally intended to be put up Sunday, was having trouble loading pictures and then ran out of time to work on it.

Talk about a crazy roller coaster ride of a week. This is the epitome. Monday we trekked over to French Lick Indiana for a long overdue daytrip. We started out our trip with a two hour trip on the train.

Andrew's dad was visiting, I think he enjoyed the trip too.

We saw some absolutely beautiful countryside.

Then we met with some excitement. A group of train robbers.

Yes, they robbed us, at gunpoint if you asked them too. (They were taking up donations for local charities).

Then we decided to check out the hotels. Someone asked which one we stayed at, neither of them THIS time. I am planning on Andrew and I going back by ourselves for a day or two though. This is the French Lick Hotel, it has the new casino attached to it.

The following picture is the closest I will ever get to a casino. Andrew absolutely forbids it. There was a sign that said no pictures but this picture was at the security guard's suggestion. Guess she thought it was funny :-).

So when we go back, I will choose to stay at the West Baden Hotel. It is WAY more laid back and relaxing as you can see below. Both have spas and I will want to take full advantage but French Lick is the exciting one (it reminds me too much of work though, these are the kinds of places we get to stay when we go to national conventions--lots of activities and lots of busy-ness). West Baden, I could sit out on the porch and watch the fountain and the gardens and be perfectly content.

So, life gets back to normal a bit and then this.........

Yes, it is Robert's new car. Last Thursday morning he was headed to a friend of ours to buy tools for school. People think it was a joke, but he really was stopping to save a turtle. The turtle was hit by a semi while Robert was falling into the culvert. We have a lot of good people in Jasper county. One of those "Catch the Spirit, Live the Dream" days for me. The guys with the towing company were so very careful. You cannot tell there is anything wrong with the car just by looking at it. Underneath it, there is some cosmetic damage but had Ron Slane and his company not took the time to get it out, they could have pulled it straight out and totalled it. They had to hold the front end down with a second truck to keep it from flipping. It will be fixed but I am so very thankful to God for watching over him that day and for saving the car that he absolutely loves. I only had my own "first car" a couple of months when I totalled it.

So, this week hopefully will be more calm and relaxing. I hope!

Let the Good Times Roll

2011-07-03T07:58:00.000-05:00

So, everybody who has the Cars song stuck in your head now, you're welcome...I did it to myself too, the minute I typed the Title.

I took a long weekend with the holiday being Monday, I decided a couple months ago to take Friday off (Doctor's orders--more downtime and summer is the easiest for me to do that). About a week ago, I found out my FIL was coming for a visit so I decided I would take Tuesday off too. I would have taken the week except for this one report that is due Friday. I can't do it until I get an invoice from Ameren (which will come Tuesday or Wednesday) and then it takes me two or three days to complete it--might as well face fact, I gotta be at work those three days. ANYWAY, I saw this as a perfect opportunity for a day trip. We haven't taken one since March and my loyal readers know that just isn't like us. Of course, we had a week's vacation trip planned for last month and Andrew's vacation was denied--twice. So much for our trip to PA.

The summer before my dad died, we went to French Lick and rode the train. When we went to the cave in March, we went through French Lick and said we would like to go ride the train. I looked it up and low and behold, there is even going to be a robbery that day! So, tomorrow we are heading for a train ride and the adventure of being robbed--it's good to know these things ahead of time, ya' know?

My camera is loaded and I am ready to take pictures that are blog-worthy, let's see if I make it :-)

BTW, went to eat at the bowling alley while Robert was working last night, that was fun. Of course, our goal was to see how many dishes we could dirty. Unfortunately it wasn't many.

Bob got here yesterday afternoon, we went and ate and watched a stupid, stupid movie on Netflix but hey, the popcorn was good at least :-). Today we are off to church as normal, then just vegging the rest of the day. Hamburgers on the grill tonight. I am packing a picnic for tomorrow's lunch and planning on a trip to the Black Buggy at Washington for dinner. Tuesday, Andrew has to work, and I have a conference call for a couple hours that morning so I think Robert and Bob will head to Effingham to the Corvette museum.

That may be this week in a nutshell.

Facing the Music

2011-06-27T20:13:00.000-05:00

So, I went to the doctor a week ago today. My report was not what I expected and I think I have spent the last week letting it sink in.

I really thought I was doing great. How many times have you went to the doctor thinking something was really wrong and the doctor basically tells you that you are fine? That didn't happen. I was going back though after the rounds of prednisone and I was expecting, "You look like you are doing great, have a great day and call me if you have a problem." I was expecting them to schedule a colonoscopy just because they had told me last time that they would like to have a more detailed look than what the one at Effingham got.

Well, after a couple minutes with the doctor, I said, "I think I am really doing well". He says, "Not really, I think you are on the verge of another flare-up and if we can't get these under control, your colon won't last you five years". I believe I was in shock. Okay, so here is the partictulars. When I was in my last flare, I couldn't go more than 45 minutes without being in the bathroom, and eventhough I was getting 2 to 3 hours of sleep at a time of a night, I would make it up for it with a minimum of 10 trips to the bathroom the first hour I was up--and always, always, there was more blood than anything. Now, there is no blood THAT I CAN see, and I am down to between 7 and 8 times a day, with 2-3 of those being within 2 hours of getting up AND I am able to sleep all night. Seemed great to me compared to what I had been doing.

The doctor says I can't say I am in remission until I have 4 or less trips to the bathroom a day, I haven't done that in over a year and a half. He says he won't do another colonoscopy until I can "cool down" and to start two new medicines, one, that if it works, I will take for the rest of my life and the other, a suppository-yea. They also did blood tests that showed my inflammation is still twice the normal and my platelets are high, which means even though I can't see it, I am still bleeding.

No exercise other than walking (I had started working out with some girls at work three times a week--that's done), no heavy lifting ( I didn't tell him I carried most of the 22 lb bricks to Andrew the week before--not to mention helping loading all of them at Menards) and the big one, I HAVE to learn to take it easy more. At that, I am failing miserably. I can't make myself sit down when I see things that need done and around here, there are always things that need done. I know my house being a mess drive me nuts so I can't just come home and sit in the middle of a mess and even pretend to relax.

So, that's that. I go back on the 24th of August and if he thinks I am doing better, they will schedule the colonoscopy. He is also wanting to do an upper GI because he said he can't rule out Chron's without it and Effingham didn't do one. He doesn't want to do too much at one time though so that may have to wait awhile. I believe the suppository is working, it is supposed to help the inflammation, and I have been having really weird feeling cramps, so I would say that is my colon coming down from the inflammation--I hope anyway. His biggest fear about the new oral medicine was that I would have an allergic reaction, so far, so good there, and hopefully it too, is starting to do what it is supposed to, although I haven't really seen a difference yet, I will pray I will soon.

Patio project

2011-06-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

Catching up- my baby boy graduates

2011-06-05T20:03:00.001-05:00

What a wonderful, emotional weekend. The party for Saturday that I had been planning since December went off perfectly. It was EXACTLY as I envisioned it, some of Robert's friends got here at a little before 4 and our last guests left at about a quarter til 11.

Then came Sunday...THE day.

makin' it official

Ready to make the rounds for his friends' grad parties:

Awe-inspiring

2011-05-17T07:03:00.000-05:00

I never come to the IACAA conference without going home changed. This year will be no exception. Yesterday, I spent most of the day with a remarkable lady named Donna Beegle. She truly has a wonderful story of getting out of generational poverty, this is probably the hardest type of poverty to ever escape from and I have to admit, when I look at our clients, they are the ones I normally think are least likely to make it out of the system. There are several different kinds of poverty, the two most common are situational and generational. Situational is where something dramatic has happened to change the dynamic of the family and or person. These are the homeless people you see who say, "I had it all and now it's just gone". These people, eventhough it's a struggle, still have a lot of the right connections to pull themselves back out of their situation.

Generational poverty is one people normally write off. They are the ones that seem to be the target of the most judgement and the least understanding. These are the people who people just think will "never change" or dont even want to. That's not quite the case, however, their outlooks can be very different that what yours are. Most of the time, we have goals and dreams of what we want to be doing in a year, in five years, or even at retirement. People in generational poverty just try to make it through the day. One of the biggest things I have changed about my thinking this week is the judgement perspective. Of course, I had an article about this woman with me last Saturday and had Robert read it. He saw the EXACT same thing glaring at him.

We have all known people who are living in poverty and when you do something to help them, you realize, while going to take them someplace, or bring them something, that they are sitting in their living room watching a bigger tv than you have, or that their kids come to school with brand new Nikes on and you think, "What are they doing?" They should have paid bills with that. The thing is, look around, what does it take to be accepted in America? Don't kid yourself---it's there. Robert claimed for a long time not to worry about what clothes he had--of course, his has always had the right names on them. Saturday, he admitted. This hits the nail on the head, it is down to if you don't have the right cell phone, people wonder what is wrong with you. Robert sometimes goes through this himself because his trucks aren't as fancy as everyone else's. Yes, we could have bought him a nicer truck, but hmmm..... he has not one but TWO trucks and they are paid for. Most of his friends have car payments, he doesn't and he is going to be a mechanic so he knows what needs done when they need worked on--most of the time it is a no-brainer, but there are days he still gets ribbed over his old trucks.
Remember, people in generational poverty don't normally look past tomorrow and today, they have the money to go to Rent-to-Own and get a tv and so this is the day they might be happy and accepted.

It also is not as simple as getting a job. A minumum wage job is not going to get anyone out of poverty--and quite frankly, neither is a welfare check, or drawing disablity. Donna said yesterday, there are only two ways to get out of poverty. 1) Get an education, 2) get a skill. Until you start on one of those journeys, you are going to be stuck.

She also pointed out something that I had thought for years.We have all been told all our lives: If you work hard, you will get ahead. Fact is, if you work hard and you have no education, you will NOT get ahead, you will just keep being expected to work hard. Most unskilled laborors get less than a $2.00 raise over the first ten years they work--that's total, and you think about it, that would be a twenty cent raise a year--with little hope of moving up into a better position, because those positions go to the educated.

Once again, I am coming home with some new ideas and some new perspectives. I have one little quick note to all my friends out there who deal with children. Take pictures. Those in generational poverty believe things like school pictures, are something they can live without (basically because it is something that the other kids might easily overlook when the teachers are handing out the pictures). There are several school districts now that are working on programs to make sure every kid has a basic package of school pictures. Why? Donna says she doesn't have a clue what she looked liked as a child, part of that tells her she really doesn't have a history. It IS something that doesn't sound important but down the road--it is. So, when you have an opportunity to snap a few pictures of your kids, your AWANA clubbers, your Sunday School kids, do it, and give them a copy, but save one for them for years down the road too.

Yes, it's a small thing, but it is something you can do.

Happy Tuesday.

The verdict

2011-05-12T08:32:00.000-05:00

Met one of my two new specialists Tuesday. This guy's name is Paul Houk and he is the Physician's Assistant to Dr. William Peterson (If you are a CSI fan, you will recognize the name, although Grissom's real name is "Petersen")--anyway, I caught it the first time I heard it--geek that I am.

Paul was in the office with me for an hour. We talked, extensively, about what I had been through, the stress levels in my life, the likeliness of anything stress wise changing (that would be a NO because I LOVE my life the way it is). His wife has this too, so he has first hand knowledge as well as the book knowledge. Becky had taken all the blood tests except the one that showed what degree of inflammation/ infection was going on in my bowels. Well, he just called. Normal is .3-.6. My tests came back 3.3--not a huge shock, we knew things we not good right now although they are better than they were. He said as long as I am not having signs of a flare to keep taking my prednisone and keep my appointment for the 20th.

I am very, very happy with Paul. I meet Dr. Peterson on the 20th, hope to be as happy with him. I finally feel like we have some direction and I confirmed some fears that I was having. My aunt had colon cancer and my mom had a cousin with UC that turned to colon cancer. Not to mention that Mom has had a lot of her own bowels removed because of adhesions. Not the same, but still bowel problems nonetheless. We need to keep me from having flares if at all possible. Every flare increases the risk of the cancer. Paul told me though, if I think I am going to be going through something overly stressful, like an unbelievable deadline, which happens a lot, to call him and we would start some preventive measures. I like that and feel like that too, is a step in the right direction.

Right now, I am battling a stupid cough. Don't know where it is coming from. Last Saturday, my throat hurt, really bad, but it quit hurting by Sunday and by Monday I was doing the coughing thing. It was so bad yesterday I thought I would cough up a lung. I slept in the recliner last night, because it gets worse when I lay down. I am taking Tylenol Cough and Cold because I am afraid to take anything other than Tylenol based OTC's with the UC.

I have a crazy 10 days, gotta whip this. The UC is doing so well, I am just really aggravated that I am being pulled down by what is apparently a cold. Hopefully nursing myself back to health today will do the trick.

Short lived

2011-05-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

Today I

Worked on my bosses computer and meanwhile accidently deleted almost 3,000 of her saved emails.
Got the emails back with a free utility tool.
Couldn't actually export them unless I paid $40.00
Paid $40.00
Got the emails to export but the files they were sorted into were (and still are) gone
Now have 3,000 (almost) emails that the only way you can tell what they are is to open them.
Then, after calling my boss and fessing up, went back to my own office to another email
This email told how many ways a spreadsheet I sent to the state this morning was wrong.

So much for Superwoman. Somewhere, the cape flew right into the path of an oncoming train. I think I was still attached.

Diary of Superwoman

2011-05-06T06:32:00.000-05:00

Love it when a plan comes together--- and when for just a few minutes, I can at least FEEL like I have it all together, all together.

Yesterday turned out to be one of those days, one of those, "Yes, you can have it all" days.

I read a disturbing chick-lit book not too long ago that was telling the heroine that there was Work, Love, and Family--Choose 2 but that to try to have all 3 would cause you to fail miserably at all. Well, of course, the heroine proved her mentor wrong. I have to admit there are days I worry that somebody is getting shortchanged. Here lately, the only thing I can guarantee is that it isn't work. I am so fortunate though to have a son and husband who both step in and pick up the slack because they are part of this family too, not because "Mom's not doing her job".

Anyway.......Wednesday night, four of us left for Rend Lake for a meeting yesterday. Our meetings were scheduled for 8:30-5:30. Our Ladies Tea (aka the "Mother-Daughter" banquet) started at 6. I had pretty well tried to warm Mom there was no way. I had been asked if I could "get out of" the training ( not by Mom). Well, no, I was one of the speakers so that was a little impossible.

When we took a break for lunch yesterday, we were already ahead of schedule, then nobody wanted to take a full hour, making us MORE ahead of schedule. At 2:00, we were on our last slide. There was a little glimmer that I was going to make this happen.

Two of the girls had gotten out of their meetings at Noon, they were waiting on Brenda and me. I really figured they had drove to Mt. Vernon, and we would have to wait a little bit for them to come pick us up. I texted Sharon that we were ready, she texted me that they were sitting in the parking lot. Yeah! I had said the night before that if we got out in time, I would love to get home for this. We got in the car and never stopped, pulling in the drive at the office at 4.

I had called Robert right after school and texted him a grocery list. He ran to the store for me and was pulling in the drive with my groceries as I was pulling in from work. So the next hour went a little like this:

I got to the kitchen, pulled out a bread tube, opened the refrigerated Italian loaf (it was supposed to be French bread, but being out Robert improvised--GOOD THINKING!). Sprayed the tube, popped it in and stuck it in the oven.

Ran to the computer and printed off the recipe for my Parmesan bites, because I never remember to make a recipe for them. Meanwhile, the Italian loaf exploded in the oven because there was too much bread. Took a knife, cut the ends off the bread, put the lids back on, came back to get the paper out of the printer.

Had Robert clear a path up the attic stairs because I realized my dress was up there--yes, the stairs serve as storage---one of these days, that part of my life will be a bit better organized...ANYWAY, while he was doing that, I was mixing cream cheese and Parmesan.

I ran upstairs, found my dress, which just had to be UNDER the clothes bar that fell last fall--at least it wasn't wrinkled.

Came back down, opened the crescent dough, rolled the Parmesan logs, cut up a red pepper, sprinkled on top, rolled the crescents around them, cut them into pieces and got them on a baking tray.

THEN, I ran to the bedroom, changed into my skirt and blouse, came back to the kitchen, took the bread out of the oven, popped it out of the tube and into the freezer. Stuck the Parmesan bites in the oven, and cut up my cucumber.

Meanwhile, I sent Robert on a search of the bottom of my closet for my shoes. I sliced the bread, cut the cucumbers with a little scalloped cutter, put onion dip on the bread, then the cucumbers, sprinkled everything with some basil and wrapped them, took the bites out of the oven, put them on a tray, wrapped them. Went to touch up my makeup and realized all my makeup was still in the back of the van--so I survived with some lipstick and combing my hair. Ran through the house saying "Yes, I AM Superwoman!" slipped my shoes on, grabbed the other purse to go with my outfit, put on my jacket, and out the door I went--approximately an hour after I got home!

Changed out my purse sitting in road construction and made it to the banquet at 10 til 6.

Yes, days like that just make me feel good. The banquet was wonderful, Barb Mulvey was our speaker and she was hilarious. We had a wonderful, wonderful time and I am just very thankful to God for letting me live this wonderful, crazy life.

On the Road Again

2011-05-04T07:27:00.000-05:00

Off to Rend Lake this afternoon for a PIPP training. I am one of the presenters in the morning. Scary and exciting all at once. There are a couple of people that could eat me for lunch if they want to--people who have been with their agencies longer and are skeptical to new things most of the time.....I just pray I say the right things.

Stopped by Becky's office and begged for more prednisone. I have been feeling SO GOOD but the day I went to one prednisone there were little signs that I was going to have problems. She gave me 10 more days. I really needed about 23--to get me through Graduation but she said 10 will have to do and hopefully I can make it to St. Louis to see the specialist soon.

Better get, time to make the donuts.

M

The Ugly Truth

2011-04-25T22:07:00.000-05:00

So, I am getting all these messages about what is going on. The fact is, I have a four day span this week that I had time to go see about what has been giving me fits for the most part of the last 9 weeks. Most of my friends know I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis last July. I was having a flare when I was diagnosed and the colonoscopy made it worse, still, three weeks after taking the meds and following the diet to a tee, I was better, then I had a flare in November brought on by antibiotics, once again, the meds and lifestyle got me quickly through it.

This time has been different, and worse. I started having some bleeding in my stools in mid February, it was on an off until the 18th of March, I learned early to keep a diary of what happens when and what I might have done to cause/prevent it. Anyway, I started myself back on asacol on the 21st and called the doctor on the 31st when I was seeing no improvement. The doctor said to keep taking the asacol until July 1, then call him back. I know he assumed a few more weeks on the asacol and I would be better again.

Things has consistently gotten worse. I had my first "accident" in our attic on the 12th, it was bad and the first time I realized how much blood there really was. I puked and puked just trying to clean myself, my attic floor, my bathroom floor and my clothes up. I had another accident last week, at work, at least it was almost time to go home. I knew it was time I had to do something. I called my doctor, they were gone, I tried again Friday, still gone. I knew they did surgery all day on Monday, so I called my family doctor on Friday, she wanted me to come right then. I said I had too many things going on and I could come first thing Monday morning.

Meanwhile, I had been on the crohn's and colitis foundations website and pretty well figured out that the only way I was going to get through this was the IV prednisone. Everyone on the site goes to the the hospital to do this. I was pretty sure of my future.

I went to my doctor this morning, she knows I normally fight her tooth and nail about going to the hospital but I told her this morning I was okay with it because I knew I needed the IV. She said I was exactly right, I needed the IV but she could do it in her office. She took blood tests so we can see if I need a transfusion and then gave me an IV in one arm of prednisone and a shot of it in the other arm. I start are steri-pack tomorrow.

I have already quit bleeding, that is priceless. I have diabetes too and the prednisone raised my sugar so I don't feel good but I still know we are heading the right way. I am also being referred to a specialist at Barnes, I have to tell you, honestly for the first time, someone is taking this seriously.

I know I do a good job of faking being fine, but I don't with my doctors, I do what I have to do to get everything done that I believe needs done. I know it puts a shock on people when they see me in the days before acting fine. God pretty well told me on my way home from church yesterday that it was time to just be still and get some rest, and I am. UC is stress induced, not having held up my end of bargains would induce more stress.

So, I find out in the morning if I have to have blood, I am home three days to rest and then hopefully we get to start life back to normal, which is good because my window of opportunity was these 3-4 days. I kinda have that "Mr. T" thing going on tonight though: I just love it when a plan comes together.

Oh and to the few that have had to ride the roller coaster with me, Deb and Carol, who I probably gave whiplash a couple times getting to a bathroom in Springfield, Beth (I think) who opened the door to the bathroom at work as I was having problems and promptly left when I begged whoever it was not to come in, Susie, who saw me after that and figured out something was terrible wrong, my mom, who puts up with my stubbornness because she knows she is to blame for it, Marsha, for the same reason, and especially Andrew and Robert, who have seen the "real" story every night and day for the last 9 weeks: Thanks for your patience and your prayers, and your support. Sorry I had to take you through this and once again, thanks for putting up with it. You know me, all things works together for good---we just gotta find the right time to get it done.

Thursday, life gets back to full speed ahead!

Six fun-filled weeks....Here we go!!!!

2011-04-11T07:28:00.001-05:00

Latest roller coaster ride at the Browninghouse boarding now. I feel like the last few months things have been unusually calm and now, here comes everything at once and the best part is, it's all good.

Robert, my baby boy, graduates in 5 weeks and 6 days. I am planning on posting more over the next few weeks just because so much is going on and some of my warped friends think these times are really exciting and I have pretty well let them all down this winter.

Things that are going to happen in the next 6 weeks.

The bathroom project will be 100%-- should make it right under 11 months, but it is beautiful.
I go to Springfield this week, be home Wednesday, learning the first of three new programs.
The Musical, Robert's last one in high school, this weekend, Footloose, can't wait!
Week after next, train the field on what we are learning this week.
First week in May, travel to Rend Lake for training for the 3rd new program.
6th of May, Robert's final concerts
15th of May, IACAA conference, my favorite of the year, highlighted by the Family of Distinction dinner--my VERY FAVORITE night of my working year.
21st, Robert's graduation party
22nd, Robert's graduation

We are going on vacation the 11th of June and get to see my only friend in Pennsylvania (you remember their license used to say, "You've got a friend in Pennsylvania". We were out there 2 years and that is exactly how many true friends I had out there). She was the only one that I would allow to watch Robert and she was the only one I went shopping with, called and just hung out with. It will be 17 years next month since I have seen her. They have a summer house about a half hour from their own house and they are opening it to us for the week. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait.

Promise to keep everyone posted on all the excitement around here, for now, Happy Monday!

Welcome Back Me.

2011-03-22T06:13:00.002-05:00

To say I haven't been myself lately would be an understatement. Life throws us for more loops than we could ever imagine and I honestly just wasn't in the mood to tell about them. I have probably had every emotion possible in the last few weeks; anger, frustration, disappointment, joy, elation. Sometimes, those kind of swings are too much for a person to take.

So, all the things that has happened since the last time I blogged:

Good news: Robert received his letter on the 9th of March that he had received tuition Scholarships for Band and Chorus at OCC. 16 credit hours a semester, the most you can get. We were definitely elated that day.

Bad news: One of my best friends, the one who is responsible for me going to work for ERBA, the one I spent more time with than I did my guys for five years, the one I have watched her little girls grow into young women as I watched her go from struggling with two full time jobs to getting to have a great life---was diagnosed with cancer, liver cancer. She is 46. To say it pulled the rug out of under me would be another understatement. In the last six months, one of the girls I run around with became a widow, now one has liver cancer. These are things that are supposed to be happening when we are 70, not 40.

Good news, My friend, Patty, mentioned above, got word from MD Anderson yesterday that things are not as hopeless as she had first been told. The doctor has Plan A, which is chemo, but he also has a Plan B and even a Plan C. I missed talking to her last night but did talk to her oldest daughter, who was so very encouraged by the hospital, the staff and the treatment plan. We have a bright side, which made it easier to sleep last night.

Bad news: Of course, all other bad news pales in comparison but they are still aggravating nonetheless. The transmission went out of my van, at least it didn't go all the way and leave me stranded but it did have to be replaced, We bought the van new and have had it about 20 months. I drive alot so it was already over what a regular warranty would cover but we got in on the tailend of having the Lifetime Warranty come with the vehicle, so we were saved. I may NEVER get rid of the van.

Good news: Congress has been throwing around our programs like we are ragdolls. Now that the dust has settled, it looks like we will survive the budget. We don't know by how much, but at least we are still on there. It's always better to take a cut than to be cut. Once you would get cut to zero, it is doubtful that we would see funds ever again.

That's probably the extremes that has been going on. We are working towards the 21st of May, Robert's graduation party. I am spring cleaning and Andrew is getting our bathroom remodel wrapped up.

I am working on a lot of projects at work, which keeps my job very interesting, if not at times, downright entertaining. I am getting to do things that I never imagined this country bumpkin would get to do. One of the them is doing a presentation for the rest of the state about using technology to make our jobs easier. April 1, I am doing a workshop for the Head Start Parent Fair, There I am presenting information on keeping your computer and your identity safe online. I go to Springfield for 3 days next week for another project that I am going to help mentor for our agency. Today I am going to Tuscola to work on computers. I LOVE my job and am so very thankful that I get to keep it.

11 years ago in May, I sent a resume to a PO Box. Two days later, I received an application for ERBA. I filled it our immediately and sent it back. On Friday of that week, Patty called and asked if I would come in for an interview on Monday. I was so excited. Nila, my sister, worked for Community Action and I was thrilled to think about getting to also. When I went to the interview, I was so disappointed. Patty and Brenda (LIHEAP Coordinator and Outreach Office Supervisor) didn't interview me. We visited, talked about our kids, talked about life but as far as wanting to know what kind of skills I had, they didn't even ask. I went home, called my mom and cried. I knew they had already picked someone for the job. The next morning at 10:00, Patty called and said if I wanted the job it was mine. I started on the 15th day of May, 2000. (little did I know at the time, they had already chosen me, as long as Patty and I got along well).I fell in love with helping these people and decided that I wanted to do more than fill out the applications, I wanted to make a difference in these peoples lives. On May 25th, 2005, I started working as Brenda's assistant in the Greenup office. I now get to work with projects on the state level. About a month ago, the business rules came out for a new program we are working on. I questioned two of the paragraphs in the business rules because I didn't think they were fair to our program or our clients. The person who is in charge writing them, wrote me back and said they had went through this at great length and they had to be this way, then she started researching and realized I was right. While we were in Springfield, she sent out revised business rules, with my suggested changes in place. I made a difference. I wanted to cry, that was what I go to work for each day.

I don't ever know what God has in store for us, why he wants us to do what he lays out there, but I do always know he is right. And I thank him for my ups and my downs, without them, my life wouldn't be what it is today.

Catching up

2011-02-12T16:01:00.001-06:00

It feels like I have been playing "catch-up" ever since the ice storm. Being home two days should have at least made a difference here but somehow, we spent most of our time "vegging out" and watching movies. It was good to just relax though.

Musical tryouts finally happened this week. Robert was cast as Coach Roger Dunlap. I know he was hoping for a larger part this year but there are truly no small parts, as he knows. It takes everybody to make the play happen. Once the kids get into practicing, it is more about getting to spend time together and making memories than it is about who is doing what. Coach Dunlap is a challenging part too as he has to deliver some pretty dramatic lines. Funny, when we watched Footloose in St. Louis at one point in time, Robert leaned over and said "What a jerk!" Now Robert has to get the right mindset to deliver those lines so everyone in our audience will think the same thing.

I have tried to nail down what is happening for the next few weeks as the schedule fills up again. My worst discovery----Robert graduates from high school 14 weeks from tomorrow; which means 14 weeks from today I am having him a graduation party. That makes life a little brighter. 14 weeks from today, I am hoping we will have gotten pretty use to 70 and low 80 degree weather. That part puts a smile on my face. Hopefully, a couple weeks after that, we will be heading east to take Robert back to where he was born. Looking very forward to our family vacation this year.

Between now and then there are several other big events for our house. Next Wednesday, the 16th, Robert auditions for scholarships at OCC. He is auditioning for band and chorus both. We find out sometime after March 1. On the 18th, Andrew and I travel to Evansville to see the pain specialist again. I have to admit, right at the moment, this guy is one of our favorite people as he has found Andrew some relief that last more than a few hours.

On the 24th, Andrew is having a sleep study, I bet I won't sleep that night as I will be home alone.

On the 26th, one of my "other" son's, Trygve Butler, goes through his Eagle Scout ceremony. Way to go, Trygve!

March 5th is our AWANA grand prix, one of my favorite days of the year. I have even decided to build a car this year--my very first and I know we have been doing this at least 10 years.

Footloose will be presented the 14th-17th of April, then Easter is the next week, so our church Cantata will be in there sometime.

Friday, May 6th will be Robert's final concerts at the High School.

May 15th will be our annual Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies conference, I will get home on Wednesday and then Robert's party and graduation is that weekend.

See, makes for some busy times. These are the times I love though. I don't know what I will do when life isn't so busy. Robert going to OCC and being in band and chorus both though, I am looking forward to still having busy schedules the next couple of years.

So, that's life in a nutshell. Working on scrapbooking, bunches of stuff I want to get completed before the party. Yes, that's the grand countdown, everything is based around having everything picture perfect.

Happy Saturday!

Learning my Lesson

2011-01-29T08:15:00.001-06:00

Never ever, ever, ever imply that life is uneventful. Lesson learned. Apparently in God's eyes, that is not a good thing for the Browning family. Last Saturday I basically stated that and this week truly became more eventful.

Sunday evening, on our way home from church, we spotted a car in the ditch. We stopped and it was a girl from Oblong, just a year older than Robert. She had spun 5 times according to her tracks. She was pretty shaken up but it couldn't have happened at a better time. An hour later, her car was out (thanks to other members of our church), parked at our house for the night and she was on her way home with friends who had met us at the Y to get her.

Monday night, 8 p.m. I get a phone call from Andrew, "I need you to come and get me", "Why" I asked. "The jeep isn't moving". Great. So, I loaded up and went and got him. Tuesday, a wrecker brought the thing home. Wednesday, Andrew dug into it and found that it needed a new diff and new ring and pinion.

To top the week off, on Thursday, Robert's water pump bit the dust. He had his final therapy Friday evening so I was hoping that at least could be fixed in time for him to go to therapy. It was, and the truck has recovered. Unfortunately, nobody around here carries the parts we needed for the jeep. They are ordered, hoping and praying they get here by Tuesday, Andrew's next day off.

So, just trying to get everyone where they need to be when they need to be there has been fun this week. We own four vehicles and had to borrow Mom's car, not good. At least Robert was able to get the truck running pretty quick, so it is a good sign that he is going into the right field. Heck, his dad alone will be able to keep him in business.

I do have to admit, I got an incredible amount done at work this week. I came home every night and crashed instead of doing anything around here but the list I got marked off this week made it worth it. I finally have 17 of our Head Start centers online. This completed the task of having every building ERBA occupies on the internet. The Head Start centers were the last to come on, but I finished the last one this week. I also installed a new system for one of the centers, installed new software for another, installed a new DVD drive for one of the field offices, finished getting all our computer lab computers converted to Windows 7 and started a new inventory system just for the computers, this to be in compliance with Homeland Security rules. That was just the IT side of my job.

My LIHEAP side was just as productive, this in light of the State of the Union Address where President Obama announce he would be making cuts to Community Action programs. Yes, that us. Cuts to Unemployment AND available assistance. I believe we are going into scary times. Desperate people do desperate things, after all, they get to thinking they have nothing to lose.

This coming week really is going to be an adventure. Tomorrow our church ladies are hosting a baby shower for Dailene and Anna Mae Kemper. Tomorrow evening, we are having our Valentine's dinner at church, followed by the Angela Lilly Trio Concert at 6:30 ( Come out at 6:30 to hear them at the Hidalgo Independent Christian Church, they are great!). Monday evening, Robert auditions for Footloose, his final high school musical. Tuesday, we get the results. Wednesday, we are having "Wii" night for the high schoolers. Thursday, I travel to Springfield for an energy roundtable. Yep, this is more a normal week in the Browning house. Hopefully by the end of this week we will be back to 3 vehicles and a little closer to having a new bathroom.

Happy Saturday, y'all.

Life goes on, and on, and on.......

2011-01-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

11 days without a blog post. I hate to say it but things are unusually calm around here. Not much overly adventurous going on. Robert is doing therapy and doing well. I believe he will end up making this stick for a lifetime.

Andrew and I traveled to Evansville yesterday to see the pain doctor. He told Andrew he thinks his back pain is being triggered by migraines. It sounds weird but Andrew used to have migraines that were out of this world, and they stopped. So to us, it makes perfect sense. The big problem is the pain medicine they gave him is out of stock in this part of the world. Andrew called every Walmart within 75 miles, the CVS here in town, the Medicine Shoppe, Harmon's. The soonest anyone can get it is next Wednesday. Not great since he goes back to work tomorrow. Doc also thinks he has sleep apnea, which he says can intensify pain. I totally agree. He does the snoring, quit snoring, snoring thing a LOT. He will have a sleep study done soon and hopefully that will improve his energy level all together. Then he could feel like taking care of himself.

There isn't even anything overly exciting going on at work right now. Day to day, getting things done.

The bathroom is still progressing, Andrew tiled the box around the tub. I love it just as much as all the other tile. I hope he is planning on putting the glass tile up today on the "T" between the shower and tub and over them, Then he will be ready to grout FINALLY!

I think he will have the tile 100% by next Friday. Then on to the floor, the sink and a new light fixture.

Yes the end is in sight and I get more excited with every project getting finished.

Musical tryouts were originally to be last Thursday evening, the music was late getting here so they have been rescheduled for the 31st. We have a baby shower and a Valentine's Banquet at church a week from tomorrow so that should be a fun, busy day although Andrew won't get to come to the Banquet.

Guess that's about it.

Happy Saturday......at least I posted :-)

Treasures

2011-01-11T05:10:00.000-06:00

I don't have any big news on the Browning homefront. Robert starts physical therapy today, Andrew goes back to work, I have a list a mile long at work that needs done and another one here at the house. That's our life. I have been very reminiscent the last 24 hours though.

There are days that going to the head start centers effect me more than others. Yesterday was apparently one of them. I guess it was very metaphoric for me. Normally when I go, the building is alive with activity as a dozen and a half or so 3-and 4-year-olds look for their latest adventures. There are no classes on Mondays at the centers, which made it a great day for me to actually get work done but working in an empty classroom makes me think about my little preschooler for whom I am now planning a graduation party.

Robert loved preschool, after he got used to the idea. We had a little separation anxiety at the first. Luckily, the preschool teacher was a good friend of mine and eventhough Robert would cry, she would tell me to go ahead and leave. The nice thing was, she called me, everyday that first week, after I got home, to let me know he was doing great.

So yesterday, as I was waiting for software to install so the kids could take advantage of the learning sites offered on the internet. I really looked at each station. The library, some of Robert's favorite books, Verdi, yes, a green snake, the only snake I ever liked in my life. The Sleep Book from Dr. Suess, which was actually one of Andrew's books growing up and was almost out of print when Robert was little. Once in a while you would find it in a collection of Suess works, but not often, Love You Forever. Never made it through it without wanting to cry, but we both love this book and still say the little sayings to each other, especially when Robert asks me why I am laying down a particular rule.

Moving on to the "dress up" area, all these little costumes that you can dress in what you want to be when you grow up. When Robert was little, he was still obsessed with cars but even more obsessed with airplanes. By the time he was in second grade, he could tell the difference between almost all the airplanes out there (and still can). He wanted to be a fighter pilot.......that lasted until about 5th grade when he realized being a fighter pilot probably involved killing people. He tried to find pleasure out of killing birds, I have a picture of a sparrow that he shot at Mom's with his bb gun when he was around 10. You can tell the smile is very much plastered on his face, he will kill them for being a nuisance now, but not so much just for the sport.

The next area was the coloring and paint area, Robert was always more a "cut and paste" kind of kid. Crayons were never really his forte. Give him scissors and glue any day of the week though......he is still like that, given the choice of looking at an engine, or tearing it apart, he would tear it apart in a heartbeat. I think it's funny that I can see how the things he did in preschool have evolved into the kid he is today.

The next thing we have is the computer area. I so remember driving 3 hours to Hidalgo to get Mom to bring her up for Grandparent's day at preschool. Robert had to show Nana the computer, Nana had never seen one at the time and the fact that a 3 year old could maneuver his way around it like he did was even more unreal to her.

Funny, when we got our first computer, I fought with it all night, only to have Robert get up the next morning, push a couple of buttons and everything be fine......he was 5.

Yes, I took a little trip down memory lane. It was almost therapeutic though. I don't have any visions of "deciding I want another one" or anything like that, in fact, for the first time, I really thought, I hope I end up with grandkids someday so I can revisit this a little, firsthand.

I honestly treasured every day of having my little preschooler, getting to stay home with him, and watching the excitement over the things he was learning. Funny, we go through that now, instead of with the alphabet, colors or counting to 100, it is with figuring out what is wrong with a friend's car or getting the timing just right on an engine. As much as I treasured my time with my little guy, I'm glad he has turned into a big guy that I can treasure time with as well.

One of Those Days.

2011-01-06T05:54:00.000-06:00

I started back to work Monday after 11 days off. Seriously, it seemed more like 3 days off but it was nice and new things were piling up so it was just as well I go back. Tuesday night was our last class, and it went well. Another one in the books. Yesterday I started getting new computer systems ready for the Homeless Caseworkers.

At 10:30, Robert called and needed me to come take him to the dr, his back was hurting so bad he was crying and it takes a lot any more for him to cry. So, I called Dr. Houston--out of the office, I had decided I would just take him to the hospital since Houston was out but actually Robert hadn't been to the dr in two years. The last time he went, he went to Becky, but at the time, he was dating her daughter. He hadn't been there since but I knew the insurance would throw a fit if we didn't try to take him there first. He agreed it was fine ("I don't care what we do as long as somebody gets rid of the pain"). So, I call Becky, she says bring him right over. She gave him a shot which did help the pain and she has decided that because of working in the automotive field, he needs some extra training on how to take care of himself. When we got to thinking about it, he is one of the few boys in shop that doesn't play football. All those boys workout and lift weights on a daily basis, which according to Becky, is what Robert needs to do when he is going to be doing that kind of work. So, Tuesday, he goes to Physical Therapy. They are going to teach him how to strenthen his back muscles and keep them strengthened, hopefully before he has any permanent damage. They took an x-ray yesterday but we haven't heard anything. He is on muscle relaxants and a round of prednisone. Hopefully he will be doing great by musical.

On a high note, I went to get Robert's medicine and Andrew surprised me with my Christmas present that had came in.

He told me on our anniversary that he wanted to get it for me but that he wanted me to design it. I love it! It has our names engraved in the bands leading to each stone. "Browning" is engraved in the band leading to our annivesary. It is actually more gorgeous than what I thought it would be. The one I saw at the store had simulated stones and these are real. He did well!

So, onward to the boatload of things going on at work. Today I hope to get one of the computers ready to take and install and transfer all of her current info. I have 11 computers that need switched over from Windows Vista to Windows 7 and will hopefully get the other homeless case manager's computer ready to install tomorrows. If all goes as planned, while I am in Charleston today, I am going to go hook up a couple of wireless cards at Head Start. Gonna be a busy day....better get on with it!

Getting closer

2011-01-05T06:20:00.000-06:00

Another major project with the bathroom is closer to being finished. I thought all the wall tile was finished until Robert reminded me last night that there is a little strip (what is going to require cutting inch wide tiles all the way down)between the door and the shower. Anyway, we have gotten a lot done: The shower is completed and has been functional for some time. The tub is in and is also functional. The walls are close to done. The next steps are finishing this, tiling the floor, putting in a new sink, putting in a new light fixture, tiling the surround on the tub and putting in the access panel then stripping all the paint off of the door, staining and varnishing it and putting in all new wood trim. I know it sounds like a lot but compared to all the structural stuff Andrew had to do for the tub and shower, I don't think it will take near as long. I am still shooting for us to be done by the end of January. Valentine's Day at the latest!

The Best of 2010

2011-01-01T17:20:00.000-06:00

Happy 1/1/11 Everyone!

Thought I would do a little reflecting on 2010, Bullet-style:

The Good:
January:

Robert going to All-State
Robert getting Cast as Uncle Henry
Getting to take a Family Day trip to St. Louis on MLK day

March

Got to order new Family Room furniture
Met fellow blogger and internet buddy- Amber McReaken
Another successful AWANA Grand Prix in the books

April

The Wizard of Oz, of course!
Getting to have the cast at our house for a meal between shows on Saturday
Getting my kitchen painted!

May

Great American Road Trip Vacation, 3 states in 7 days
Getting to have our IACAA Family of Distinction Dinner in the main gallery of the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Andrew honored at a Silver and Gold Banquet for Walmart

June

Getting to see Wicked with Robert and some friends of mine
Going to San Antonio with my boss for a national energy conference
Getting the shower installed in the front bath

July

Starting the back bath project!

August

Seeing Footloose at the Muny with Robert
Robert turned 18
And started his Senior Year
The Balloon Festival at Lincoln, where we were VIP's this year (thanks Sis!)
Robert was GIVEN an "88 Chevy Silverado

September

Robert got to play the baritone solo for the field show
Which resulted in a stellar year; many, many trophies brought home
I got to purchase the agency's first Smartboard--and learn how to use it

October

My mom was one of the guests of honor for our IACAA bus tour
The shower was finished in the back bath
Robert finished rebuilding the engine in the Silverado (with help from several friends!)

November

Pops concert, without a doubt. Robert was an emcee and a soloists (I'm lovin' the DVD!)
IMEA District Festival at Charleston
Mom turned 71

December

Having the family home for Christmas--I love when my sis and bro-in-law gets to stay 2 days, it makes it that much more relaxing and just fun.
Taking 11 days off for the price of 2 personal days and 1 vacation day.
Getting to see Cirque Dreams, and getting away with the guys. The hockey game was okay too ;-)
Starting the tile in the back bath

The Bad:

December:

We lost a dear friend, Tim Andrews.
My father-in-law's girlfriend was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia, she is currently at MD Anderson in Houston receiving treatment.

The Ugly

July:

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and Diabetes

October

I had a tooth pulled and ended up with a blood clot in my cheek

That's it, the good definitely outweighed everything else. Every year we make a list of the things we want to get done, each of us, then as a family. We were able to mark off several things this year that we had accomplished. It made me feel like we are not only living, we are still growing. Love when that happens!

Now forward to see what we can accomplish in 2011!!!!

The Great Escape 2010

2010-12-30T11:11:00.000-06:00

Robert on the outdoor side of the indoor/outdoor pool at our hotel. Yes, it was 24 degrees out there.

Vacation wears a person out, we got in the habit of "afternoon naps".

Spaghetti Factory, one of my favorite places!

Guys at the Spaghetti Factory

The entry way of the Fox.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, they allowed non-flash photography but I didn't get any really great pictures. It was amazing though!

Tuesday morning at the Science Center, another one of our favorite places.

Lunch at Joe's Crab Shack

Relaxing in our room

At the Blues Game

Blues win!!! Over the Stanley Cup winners, The Chicago Blackhawks. 3-1. It was really a good game; fights and all!

Getting Ready for a Fresh Start

2010-12-26T17:21:00.000-06:00

I try to live life without regrets. I have failed miserably at that at two particular areas in my life lately....my scrapbooking and my blogging. Last year, when it was time to do the annual "Browning Christmas Letter", I turned to my trusty blog as an outline for all that was in important in our lives. This year, when that time came, I saw just how bad my blogging was this year. I am sad, especially since I have also had a problem picking up the camera when I should and things that I should have and wished I had pictures of I don't. That can't be changed.

In turn, that makes Scrapbooking the last year of our lives a little hard. It has been so long since I have scrapbooked. I miss it dearly too. I sat down and made Christmas gift tags and place names and realized that too, was something that needed attention.

I can blame it on being too busy, I can blame it on being too tired, which with the medical conditions, is actually true but it doesn't matter, I can't get it back. So. I am going to work myself up to getting all of these things back where they belong. I get to thinking why bother blogging, I don't think that many people even read it anymore, nobody ever comments and I feel we lost that little "kindred clique" we had going on back in the days before facebook. But lately I have realized that deep down, I blogged for myself, to lay out all the things in my life that I am blessed with and if someone else finds a little joy in it, all the better.

I have had phone calls at work before from people who have said, "You probably don't really know me, but I read your blog," I thought it was hilarious, and I did, in fact, know who the people were, through my network of friends.

Anyway, tomorrow is a new opportunity. We leave in the morning for our mini-vacation to St. Louis. Tomorrow night, Cirque Holidaze Dreams at the Fox, I have 7th row seats. Of course, I can't take pictures inside the Fox, but I will outside. Tuesday we are going to the Blues vs. Blackhawks game. There will be plenty of pics there. Thursday, Andrew and I are going to start tag-teaming getting the walls done in the back bathroom, more chances to record those memories.

So, I am not even waiting until New Years to make this resolution. Starting now, I am going to give more time to my blogging and my scrapping. Something else will have to wait.

My dad always told me nobody knows when they get up in the morning if they will be alive to eat dinner that evening. Enjoying every minute of the life God has given me IS important and it IS important to ME that I preserve it.

The week, in a nutshell, a very big nutshell.

2010-12-03T05:36:00.001-06:00

I think the emotions that this week has brought are about to the limit of what I can handle. I don't remember a time when life has been this stressful. The work stress, I really don't mind, I don't like it but I know it's part of a job that I love, and the fast-paced, "gotta get it done or someone suffers" is expected. The underlying personal stress this week has added a level I am not used to, nor will I ever be comfortable with.

Five and a half years ago, when we moved here, Robert made friends quickly. One of his first friends was Logan Andrews. Logan was the first one to invite Robert to spend the night in Newton.Consequently, it didn't take long for Logan's parents, Tim and Vaneta, to become friends with me and Andrew. For the last four years, we have spent every fall together, sitting on bleachers, watching with pride as our only sons marched. This year, it was hard because our two boys did the solos and Tim was not able to be there every time, and though it took a lot of finagling, Vaneta made it to each of Logan's competitions. Monday night, Tim went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On Monday, as I had texted Vaneta and knew what was happening, one of my friends said, "Exactly what emotion are you feeling?" I said there was so many I couldn't sort them out. One of my best friends is losing her husband, one of my son's best friends is losing his dad, we are losing a friend ourselves. Tim worked in fields that paralleled my job, we always had a lot to talk about when we got together. Vaneta's job is also in the social services so we totally understand when stresses get high around budgets and cuts and job security ( or lack thereof). Tonight is the visitation, tomorrow the funeral. Though it will be hard to say goodbye, this is truly one person who I know is in Heaven, his testimony was great. He has had many health battles over the years and, as far as I ever saw, never used them as an handicap. I believe Tim was ecstatic with the life and family that the Lord had given him and though I know it was hard for him to leave them, I can see Jesus holding Tim in his arms and hear God saying "Well done, my good and faithful servant" for Tim truly was.

We have also spent the week worrying about Robert Fryman; Patty, his wife works with us. Robert had 4 aneurysms in his brain, one that was especially worrisome as the doctors were afraid it would burst before it could be fixed. On Tuesday, they did brain surgery and tried to take them out. They were able to get two, including the high risk one, two they had to leave though. Don't know what they will decide about them in the future. They were all very scared, I can't imagine. The last I had heard though, he is doing well.

Work has been a real bear this week too, my IT plate was piled high. We changed all of our email and webhosting this week which is scary when we are an agency that relies heavily on email. The transition went well, the website is back up and running, I have to make some tweaks to it but all the info is still there and that is a plus. We have had some intermittent problems in the building and though it has mainly been with one person, it is the person who is sending our grants to Springfield, so it is imperative that it gets fixed. The day before Thanksgiving, we struggled with it all day. I was hoping the changeover would fix the problems. You can imagine my disappointment when it didn't. The bright side is I called the Calvary in Wednesday evening. MASS was there for 2 and a half hours and couldn't find the problem either. At least it wasn't something stupidly simple that I am just overlooking. I am about to blame it on wiring. We shall see.

Then, the little icing on the cake was the All-state announcement came, Robert doesn't get to go this year. He is good with it, he is glad he got to go once but I know he is a little disappointed that he didn't get to go back. He has been busy working on his truck though and I am probably more disappointed for him than he is.

So, today is our Christmas party at work, I am hoping and praying that by the time we are supposed to leave for it, we have the final two emails that HAVE to be in Springfield sent. I am truly looking forward to a better, calmer week next week.

What a Glorious Weekend!

2010-11-23T06:03:00.000-06:00

Robert's final Pops Concert is in the books, as is his final District IMEA festival. I think his only regret is that he didn't start trying out for IMEA sooner.

The Pops Concert was incrediable, Robert sang "What's a guy gotta do", he did a really good job and the interaction with the girls who were trying to run from him during the song just made it that more cute.

Robert was one of the emcees this year too. I think what most people don't realize about the emcees is it is their responsablity to come up with all the skits and to know what they are doing. This involved a lot of practice and a lot of teamwork.

It resulted in a two great performances. I would have been fine if they would have done it every night for another week.

I have pictures, Blogger won't let me upload them at the moment, if you get a chance, there are pics on facebook.

Saturday's concert was amazing and beautiful. There were 16 students go from Newton. 11 of them were for chorus. The kids loved the director and though most of them were beat from the Pop's concert (all but one of ALL of the students who went were involved in the Pops Concert also) they had a wonderful experience. We were amazed at what can be accomplished in a day. My favorite song was an African song called Jenga, I think it was pretty clear it was the chorus' favorite also. You could just tell they were having fun.

Now we get to wait to see who makes it to All-State. I really hate this part. Robert had no expectations of making it last year so it was a total and complete surprise. Now that he has been there though, he wants to go back. There are only so many who get to go and you just never know. We are supposed to find out the first week in December. I just don't want him to be disappointed if he doesn't get to go again--and how could he help it.

It was a fantastic weekend, and the last really crazy weekend we have until after Christmas, believe me, after band, Pops and then IMEA, I know Robert is as ready for some downtime as we are!! (Not to mention he rebuilt an engine in the middle of all of this!)

Mom's 71st

2010-11-17T05:30:00.000-06:00

This past Monday my mom and I celebrated her 71st birthday. Ever since I have started working, if at all possible, I take her birthday off and we go shopping and out for lunch. Monday, she wanted to go to Effingham, take in the resale shops and head to Ryans. Her main goal at the resale shops was to find a pair of nice everyday shoes.

Catholic Charities was our first stop. They were busy, extremely busy but we spent about an hour looking and finding all kinds of goodies. When we went to checkout, Mom had, indeed, found a pair of shoes. She was very happy. When we got to the register though, the lady at the register held up the two shoes and said, "Honey, these don't match". My first instinct was there was probably another pair just like them on the shelf but Mom was sure there wasn't so she told the lady she didn't want them although that was too bad because she really like both shoes. We went on down the road.

We went to Nearly New, then to Ryans and then made a stop at Kohl's. We get back in the car at Kohl's amd Mom very calmly says, "You are going to have to take me back to Catholic Charities, I have the matching pair of shoes to the ones I left." I about died laughing. Sure enough, she had trapsed around Effingham with two different shoes on. At least they were both black and apparently the heel was the same height although one was a wedge and the other was an actual heel, other than that, they were nothing alike. We giggled all the way back, inserting little quips about what we were going to do if the salespeople had already discovered there really was no matches on the shelves and had sent the shoes to the dumpster.

Luckily, they were STILL really busy. When we walked in, the mismatched pair was still sitting on a stool behind the counter. The lady at the checkout was a different woman who had no clue what was going on. We get to our turn at the register, Mom says, "I want that pair of shoes right there", Woman, "They don't match, they aren't really a pair." Mom, "I know, I have the matching pair on my feet." Woman, VERY puzzled look. We explained that she had tried them on and apparently put one on twice. The lady finally started laughing. I wish I could tell in as funny as it was. We giggled about her shoes the rest of the day. I am a shoe person but I had checked out what she was wearing when she came in my house that morning and that was the last I thought of it. I will probably forever check her shoes as we leave a resale shop. I told her on top of everything else, she kinda shoplifted, what a rebel! Then she informed me that she did at least leave her old shoe. I had to tell her that when I caught shoplifters at Walmart, people would leave their old stuff too, it didn't make me think they had left a deposit. She is convinced that a resale shop was different.

I am in a picture funk right now so I didn't take any pictures. Gotta get over that. New Years resolution--get back to Scrapbooking! Kinda hard to scrapbook without pictures.

November...

2010-11-09T06:05:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe it is November already. Wow, I don't know how to handle time going so fast and I don't know if I can't take it getting faster and I have been told it will. We have a busy November, probably busier than December actually. We are always backwards at our house, December is one of our "slower" months when everyone else is having craziness. Which is great because it gives me lots of evenings to sit in front of the fire with the Christmas tree beside me and my grandma's Nativity on the fireplace and keep a focus on what Christmas really is.

Back to November though. I started teaching classes to Head Start employees last week. This is a fun class because I am teaching specific things instead of programs. Tonight we are learning to make newsletters. Tomorrow night we are having "Taco and Movie Night" for the High School Awana kids. We are watching "To Save a Life" looking forward to it. THEN, THEN, yes THEN I start 5 DAYS OFF!! We are off Veteren's Day, the High School band will be playing at the ceremonies, I am looking VERY forward to this. I always go though. When Robert was a little cub scout, I was at a ceremony where a veteran said, "This crowd is nice but I am afraid a lot of you are here because your kids were involved." I decided right then that I could take an hour or so out of my life a year to honor those who fought for my freedom. It seems like such a little thing to do for people who sacraficed so much.

Friday, Chrissy, my poodle, and I have an appointment at Petsmart to have the works for her. She has abandonment issues so I wanted to take her somewhere she could see I was still there. I have to stand outside but she will know I haven't left her. I have always cut her hair and trimmed her nails but have decided it is time to let someone else. Lizzie is going to "Spa-Nana's" because I don't want her to think I am hauling her mommy off.

Monday is my mom's birthday. It's funny, I work on my birthday and take my mom's off. Ok, so there is usually perks to working on your birthday, like someone buying you lunch :-). Anyway. Mom and I already have our day planned, Shopping in Effingham and lunch out, can't wait!

The 18th & 19th is the Pop's Concert, 7:30 at the High School. I believe it will be amazing this year. I got a gag order put on me last year.... Roma to Robert: "You DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOUR MOTHER EVERYTHING!" So I have actually stopped him a few times but yeah, I have heard a lot of what is happening and I am super-excited.

The next day, Robert goes to IMEA. That means that evening we get to go to a concert at EIU with the best choral students in our region. It was an amazing concert last year and I expect nothing less this year.

Thanksgiving day may be a little uneventful at our house, I am sure Mom, Robert and I will figure out some way to have a little celebration but my brother-in-law works that day as does Andrew so there will be no big family get-togethers. Sis and Richard are coming down for the Pop's concert though so we will all get to spend time together then.

Then comes Black Friday. Ah, what a fun day. Robert and I plan to leave at 2:30 and this year, since there is nothing we have to stick around here for (last year we had to be at Robinson Walmart at 5) We are heading for our favorite stomping grounds--St. Louis!

Andrew turns 46 on Saturday, the big 5-0 is creeping up on him!

A little shout-out to my Brother-in-Law Richard too, he has a birthday on the 24th. I don't remember how old he will be, I think it's a little more than 46 :-)

So, onward into November....this should be a blast!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T07:23:00.003-05:00

Yes, it was my favorite Halloween costume I made for Robert, I am pretty sure he was three that year. The costume is still around here somewhere I am sure. Seems so hard to believe that was 15 years ago.

What a week it has been! A week ago last Friday, I had a tooth pulled. It shouldn't have been a big deal. I have periodontal diesease and the tooth was causing a potential problem but not a current one at all. I swelled really bad but thought everything was normal.

Monday, we had a bus tour from the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies come. This was a wonderful day. We were showcasing the jobs created and the people helped with ARRA money. My part in this day was to have a powerpoint presentation of the new Weatherization building going up and of the Weatherization crew doing what they do. It was ready and playing when the bus got there, I was standing back and letting all the "important people" do their thing. I hadn't been in the new training room five minutes but I hear Denny yelling "Mindy, come here." The "important people" wanted to see how the Smartboard worked. I was happy to show them. Then I had to go get printouts of the specs for most of them.

My proudest moment on Monday was my mom though. She had her house weatherized because of the ARRA grants. She had been invited to the events the week before but Monday morning, they asked if she would speak. She did such a wonderful job. She told what was in her heart and how much it meant to her to have a warm home. It created many questions that afternoon among my coworkers about my childhood but I think it raised their awareness of why I am so passionate about what I do.

Wednesday morning I woke up and my face was the size of a football. I had been told by my dentist that if I had went 3 or 4 days with no fever I could stop the antibiotics. I stopped them Tuesday. At the time, it seemed a big mistake. I tried to call the dentist, closed on Wednesday. I started back on the antibiotics and came home from work and rested. Thursday I went to work early to get everything done I needed to for me to be gone a couple days. Then I left at 8:30 and headed to the dentist's office. He sent me straight to an oral surgeon who decided I had a blood clot in my cheek. He numbed it and cut a one inch incision in my mouth. I am more petrified of being cut on than having shots. I can't stand the thought of even accidentally cutting my finger. I always figured I would die from a knife wound because that scares me about more than anything. On top of everything else, when he started trying to push the clot out, it hurt BAD. I don't care if that makes me a wimp. I thought I was going to pass out. I am working on not crying in public, this was a true test. I got out to the car and literally sobbed and screamed. Andrew probably thought I was having some kind of manic episode and I probably was.

Yesterday morning, I was expecting things to be better and they were worse. I called the oral surgeon who told me the second day after surgery would be my worse and to continue taking it easy, keeping heat on it and sleeping in an upright position.

Taking it easy only goes so far when your kid has his very last band competition. I didn't realize how much this took it out of me until a day out and about. But man was I glad I went. The Eagles got Grand Champion in Field and 1st place in their class for the parade. What an awesome end to and awesome year. So happy for Robert that this year went the way it did and that he made it through every solo every time.

So that brings me to today. Halloween, I look a little Frankensteinish. The bruising is going away though, I have a red eye which I assume will turn black or yellow in another day or two but we are still going and that's the important thing.

All this from a tooth that should have caused no problems at all, that I was having pulled so I WOULDN'T have problems.

Such is life.

Nearing the End

2010-10-20T05:22:00.005-05:00

This past weekend was Robert's last U of I competition. Thought I would share....Under the tunnel, anyone who has ever had this experience KNOWS what is going through their minds right now. I don't think I was ever in so much awe as being a freshman and realizing just how big this place was.

I think this is the first time I had really seen Robert more nervous than me about his performance. As we were waiting to start, one of my friends turned around and asked if I was about ready to throw up. Normally, that is EXACTLY how I feel, I get more nervous than he does. Of course, this solo hasn't been without event. The first competition, the Blue Angels were flying over as they were performing, The second competition, Robert passed out before performing and was scared to death we wouldn't let him march. This one, I was just emotional. Band means every bit as much to the kid as it did to me and that in itself made it impossible for me to hold back tears during Saturday's performance.

The band literally leaves Logan and Robert out there all by themselves, they all head off toward the left. The neatest thing is though, at the end of their solos, the band comes back up and Robert leads half off to the left and Logan leads the other half off to the right. I wish someone would post the video on Youtube for all of the Alumni Newton Marching Eagles.

We don't go anywhere this weekend and then next weekend, the 30th is Oblong. The kids are planning on having a wonderful time with this. I got a message from a fellow Alumni Marching Eagle asking about the band.

We have 114 this year and growing. I am so very excited about Mr. Ridlen and Mr. Finley. They LOVE marching band and they love our kids. I am looking so forward to seeing what happens. I think the thing I love the most is they are both wanting to embrace the legacy that some of us had created for them. I feel like the past few years had been more about forgetting it.

When I was in high school, you would tell a stranger you were from Newton and the first thing they would say is "Are you in the band?" I wholeheartedly feel like that day will come again.

One Down

2010-10-07T06:00:00.005-05:00

Andrew finished the shower yesterday!! Wow, what a big series of Murphy's Law. It is gorgeous though and I am looking very forward to using it in a few minutes.
Here's some befores and afters:

The only light in the bathroom was over the sink, which meant by the time you got the shower curtain pulled, you were showering in the dark. Not anymore!

I will have to do better about getting pictures of ANDREW working as the project progresses. The only picture I have of actual work being done is of Robert.

I'm not sure but I think the next project is to get my tub installed. I can't wait!! It is torture to go in there and see it everyday and not be able to use it. Of course, there are lots of projects left, hopefully none that "leads to another" as bad as the shower but we know it is done right and there are no rotten floors under it, or mold in the walls and it is waterproofed correctly. I think it's time for me to try it out!

A Saturday to Remember

2010-09-26T05:59:00.002-05:00

First of Congrats to the Newton Marching Eagles. 1st in EVERYTHING in their class at the Effingham competition. They brought home five trophys; music, color guard, percussion, drum major, and first overall. Newton is back and that honestly makes me tear up for more reasons than just my kid being in the band!

Robert gave everyone a scare while they were warming up, apparently he passed out and Mr. Ridlen was sure we was having a seizure. When he came out of it, he doesn't remember what happened. I am pretty sure he was dehydrated. In our family, of course we always worry about sugar but he came out of it without eating anything and when I asked him how much he had drank compared to normal, we realized it probably wasn't nearly enough.

We tanked him up on water and he was able to do his solo and march the show without any problems. His and Logan's solos were both AWESOME last night!

This was all after a week of the band director having surgery to remove kidney stones on Thursday. His first year of being the band director will be one to remember too! I was so proud of his dedication to the kids though part of me really hopes he didn't push it too far yesterday and I am hoping and praying he is RESTING today. I didn't get the Newton Exhibition packet to him yesterday from our own competition so he can't worry about that one until Monday.

1st competition of his senior year: competing with the Blue Angels. 2nd competition, he passes out. He definately is making this a year to remember.

I think he has learned his lesson though and hopefully will pay more attention to the amount of fluids he is taking in.

I don't have pictures of the competition. I am waiting on my sister to make it down and get some really good ones.

I got another "last" over with, it is one I will miss but I am REALLY glad it's done. Our own band classic is in the books, and I have served my last year helping with the tabulation. In fact, Glenna, the one taking over for me, put all the scores in yesterday, I just double checked them....which means I slept last night. I normally don't sleep from the time those scores go in until Monday afternoon when I know nobody has called and thrown a fit over the results. We actually had one judge that added wrong on two of his score sheets yesterday, so if we hadn't done our jobs correctly, there could have been some unhappy people.

So today I am truly planning a day of rest and this week as well.

If you get a chance, we go to Robinson next weekend. I personally believe we will do well there. If you haven't had a chance to hear the Newton Marching Eagles, you should make a date to come and see. Our performance time is 7:30, we are the last band to march!

2010-09-21T21:04:00.002-05:00

3 Things About Me!

Please don't break the cycle... it is fun to learn different things about our friends!

1. Three names I go by: Mindy, Mom, Sweetheart

2. Three places I've lived: Newton, Hidalgo, Altamont

3. Three places I've worked: Hardee's, Wal-Mart, ERBA (yes, my friend Amber actually typed the first two, but I worked there too)

4. Three places I have been on vacation: Florida, Michigan, Ohio

5. Three people that email me regularly: Nila, Amy, Vaneta

6. Three things I love to eat: chocolate, alfredo, ice cream

7. Three people I think will repost: not sure, but I want everyone to

8. Three things I am looking forward to: Saturday, looking forward to it getting here, and then looking forward to getting through it! (does that count as two?) 12 days from now, when my right hand gets back from maternity leave, October 11th--Covered Bridge!

What September Brings

2010-09-02T05:17:00.002-05:00

I intended to post this yesterday, day late and a dollar short, what's new? Here we go.....the wild and crazy thing we call life at the Browning house. September started out with a bang, went to work at a quarter til 7, stopped what I was doing to go to the church business meeting last night and finally made it back home around 8:45. Today, I am leaving the house again at 6:45, yesterday was the first day of LIHEAP and honestly that wasn't what was crazy; computers; 'nuff said. I very rarely honestly feel like shooting one, but yesterday it was just a really good thing I didn't have a gun and the worst part was it was a laptop and so it wouldn't have been hard to "accidentally" drop-kick it across the parking lot. Anyway.....I am going to try a different approach today and then forget it. I ordered a new one because no matter what, I will never trust this one again, and in all fairness, it had been acting up since May, I just apparently delivered the final blow Tuesday then had to try to resuscitate the stupid thing. Oh well......

Fun news in my job though, I got to order our agency's first Smartboard this week. We are building a new training room in our Weatherization building at Greenup. Last Thursday ( the 26th) our WX Coordinator asked me to get him set up with the technology for his training room......which they would use for the first time on Sept 21st, no pressure there....but it all came together and we are getting exactly what we wanted. I can't wait!!! On top of everything else, I believe I will be allowed to teach computer classes there and it is bigger than our board room, good things.

Of course, September brings a lot on for Robert also, first band competition is a week from Saturday, Robert gets to play the baritone solo, he has worked really hard for this so I am excited that it is finally decided. He has all day practice on the 4th, Ofallon on the 11th, our own Fall Festival on the 18th and then our own Newton Classic and the Effingham competition on the 25th. There are 12 bands coming to our competition. Mark the 25th on the calendar and come to the classic, it is a morning competition and will be great!!

Robert also has Pop's concert tryouts next week. Pop's is scheduled for November 18th and 19th. This is also an awesome show....a show that rivals Branson in Newton Illinois put on by a bunch of really, really talented teens. One year some of my friends from work came, one of them asked if these kids were really all from Jasper county. They are an awesome group and I am looking just as forward to all the chorus activities as I am the band. He should be in for a SUPER senior year.

Andrew is still going strong on the bathroom remodel. It has had a lot of setbacks with finding mold and rot but he is almost ready to start tiling the shower and I think once he gets this project done, the rest will be faster. What he has done in the shower looks amazing, we have picked out all the tile now and I am just excited to see it happening. He gets vacation starting Saturday so I think by next week at this time we will see some change.

We have to throw AWANA in the mix for good measure, we start back on the 15th, I am HOPING to have 4 senior boys and 3 freshman girls to start. The guys are wanting to do a commercial for youtube and fb to get some more involved, first project of the year!

AND we start choir back the 19th, I almost have everything ready for that too.

That's the majors for September, geesh, what will I do with myself next year? Not going to think about it, just gonna take all of it in this year and enjoy.

Oh yes, one more thing, I went to the doctor Friday, I am doing FANTASTIC with the UC, in fact he took me off of the medicine, if I have a flare, I have to go back, but right now, doing great and feeling better than I have since before Christmas. I can actually feel myself getting stronger, of course, my blood counts had been so low there was a good excuse for the tiredness and weakness. I know it was my own fault it got so bad, I should have went to the doctor last February but just had too many irons in the fire, or so I thought, it would have prevented a lot of problems and heartache in my life though if I would have felt like I do now back then. I knew I was overwhelmed, I knew I had a problem, I just didn't realize how bad it was affecting me. Anyway......that's that and life is better.

Happy Thursday!

2010-08-30T06:01:00.002-05:00

What a great weekend! Only two things could have made it better--if Andrew would have gotten to go and if Richard wouldn't have had to work part of it.

Robert and I got to Lincoln around 7 Friday evening, just in time to see Friday nights glow. Saturday morning, Sis and I went to the airport for the fly-in. The balloonists drop a bag on a target on the airfield. It was just perfect weather this year.

Meanwhile, Robert went with his Uncle Richard to sell produce at the Farmer's Market uptown. Richard raises unbelievable tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Found out last night that a lady that had been in Lincoln a couple years ago had them ship her tomatoes in California!

We also took in the Art fair Saturday at one of the parks, then went back out to the Airport Saturday evening. The wind conditions weren't perfect so there weren't many balloons actually take off but there was another glow. After the glow, because of our VIP passes, we had a catered dinner. It was wonderful! We ate dinner with the mayor and some of the coordinators of the festival, thought that was neat too. Yesterday, we took in the flea market and craft fair, and the car show before starting home. What a perfect weekend, we rested when we wanted to, and ran when we wanted to. For some really great pictures of the festival, check out www.lincolndailynews.com This is the paper Sis works for and a LOT of the pictures and articles on there are hers.

Happy 18th!!!!!

2010-08-24T05:44:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe that 18 years ago today, our little man was born:

Of course, when life revolves around three things : Band, Chorus and Cars, you have to adjust. Since Band is tonight, we celebrated his birthday last night.

I think the greatest thing is I got to make him treats for school ONE LAST TIME. He has early bird shop class so he is taking cupcakes and milk for everyone for breakfast this morning.

After the celebration, Dad "Tom Sawyered" him into sealing the seams in the new shower. I think he had fun the entire time.

Hope your day is fantastic. I don't think you will ever realize how much joy you have brought to our lives. Thanks for being such a great kid, we are really proud of the young man you have grown to be and look forward to seeing what you accomplish with the rest of your life.

Love you forever. Like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be,

Mom.

First of the Last

2010-08-24T05:18:00.005-05:00

August 20th, 2010
Last "First Day of School"

And Media Night:
Robert, front row, to the far right.

Robert is standing on the 50, playing what will eventually be the baritone solo. He and Emmitt Bartons are both playing it here, the decisions still haven't been made as to who will be playing it or if they will take turns at competitions. Logan Andrews, one of Robert's long-time friends, is playing the trumpet solo, on Robert's right.

The New Truck

2010-08-16T05:47:00.004-05:00

When "gardening" season came this last spring, my 70-year-old mother and 84-year-old uncle put out a garden, 5 acres of it to be exact. I was a little afraid they were in over their heads this year so when musical was over and Robert wanted to look for a job, I told him I would pay him NOT to get a job so when Mom and Uncle Junie needed him, he would be available. Well, he has helped out some with the garden, but they neither one would let him help like I thought they would. Don't get me wrong, in the last 3 weeks he has carried 2100 lbs of potatoes into my uncles root cellar, 40 lb buckets at a time, and that was after helping pick them all up. When he helps, it's hard work and they depend on him to do it. I was expecting him to be up there 3 or 4 times a week and he has probably been there 2 or 3 times in 2 weeks.

My thing is, there have been a couple of weeks this summer that I think he resented me for not letting him get a job because he believed Mom and Uncle Junior would have worked around his schedule (which they did last week when the El Camino was broke down again).

ANYWAY, Mom called me Saturday morning and said Uncle Junie wanted to GIVE Robert his old farm truck. I was like, "does it run?" which honestly wouldn't matter to a kid who lives, breathes, eat and sleeps working on vehicles. But the answer, was yes, it ran well, Uncle Junie had seen a chance to get a newer truck a few months ago and took it. He didn't get rid of this truck because it was in too good of shape and has a brand new transmission in it.

So, yesterday afternoon we went to talk to Uncle Junie about the truck, I thought it was a bit much and Uncle Junie informed me that he had done what he wanted to most of his life and he wasn't about to stop now and what he wanted to do was to give Robert that truck for helping them and helping him when he needs hogs loaded or pigs cut (which Robert is becoming pretty good at and will need to do again in the next couple of weeks).

So.......I think a truck is a pretty good wage for a summer job. Robert is so excited, there are some things that need a little work but they are minor and it runs! and runs well! And minor work just equals a lot of good times to Robert. He has already ordered a catalog that specializes in parts for this truck--which is a 88 Chevy 1500 Silverado.

We will make everything legal tomorrow, how lucky can one person get? Not even 18 years old and OWNS not one but two trucks, straight out. I think he leads a charmed life!

Life Lessons

2010-07-27T18:08:00.002-05:00

Nothing seems to put life in perspective for me like working a day in the field office.

I have to admit, I have been having a gigantic pity party for myself and now I am having a case of the guilties.

Today, I had a man walk into our office. He is 72, his wife is 70, they have two adopted sons still living at home, one is 15, the other 18.

He starts out by telling me he sure hopes he has everything he is supposed to, that he is a bit lost because he had never had to do anything like this and wouldn't have known how to anyway because his wife always took care of that kind of stuff. She went to the hospital for chemo last Monday and they kept her.

When I asked if he was a Veteran, he said yes, Korean war; when I asked if his wife was, he said "No, but she might as well have been, all those nights she worried about me".

When I asked his highest level of education, 4 years of college, when I asked about his wife's he said, "She graduated from high school, don't think she snuck anything else in there and we've been together since she was 14".

When I asked what kind of cancer she had, he said it was a bone cancer, it is attacking her entire body, the worst part so far as been a big spot on her jaw. They had to take out part of her jaw bone, and honestly, part of her face. He said the plastic surgeons had told her they could reconstruct down the road. The gentleman said "I just told her she can do what she wants, I just want to get to keep her."

He then proceeded to tell me about the special bed they had brought to the house for her. It some kind of "wound" bed and has continuous movement in it. He said he doesn't see how she can get much rest in it, but it hurts her to stay still.

God has a way of putting us in our place pretty fast. I have come to the conclusion that having to know where the nearest bathroom is, having to stick my finger, and having to make sensible decisions about what I eat isn't really a big deal and the lesson that God taught me today is that it never should have been in the first place.

In Due Time

2010-07-20T05:48:00.004-05:00

I know, I have been avoiding my blog, on purpose. I was running the little gamut of "the stages of grief" apparently over my passing youth. I was told Sunday that I am not handling the changes in my lifestyle gracefully. Hmmmm.....yep, it made me mad, it was my mom who said it, was she right? Yep, she was. So another few days and maybe I will be ready to make the full fledged report on what is going on with me without it sounding like my own little pity party. I have more blood tests on the 26th and a heart sonogram on the 29th. That will be the last of the tests. I was expecting one thing to be wrong and at the moment they are trying to tell me there are at least three things wrong with me: ulcerative colitis, diabetes and this stupid calcium and vitamin d deficiency. I received the report from my stress test, eventhough the whole test came back as "Normal" there are two places on it that has "defect noted", don't know what that means, am assuming it's not serious or they wouldn't say the test was normal. My blood counts are all over the place but my blood count itself is low because of the colitis. Not complaining, just sayin'....

Enough of that for now,

The bathroom is starting to amaze me. It is truly going to be the bathroom of my dreams and Andrew is doing 100% of it himself (with his trusty sidekick, Robert who is being taught as they go). I am so amazed when I come home of an evening. We have LED can lights in the ceiling over the ledge for the tub and shower, domed can lights in the shower (with regular light bulbs because of the moisture) and there will be more LED lights over the tub in a few days. He is building a small cabinet with storage in the bottom and shelves on top, two purposes there, to hide the access panel to the shower and to make some room for my makeup/ blow dryer/ curling iron, etc, when I move to the back bath. It will also just make room for some knick-knacks. We had always planned on putting Andrew's elephant collection in the bathroom, not sure weather I still want to go that direction or not. His elephants look pretty good in the family room. We'll see. We bought a skirt for the tub, got it home and we both agree it looks cheap and cheesy. Andrew is going to build a box for the tub to sit in, which truly was what I thought would be cool all along but he has bent over backwards to do stupid little things that take a lot more time just because I wanted them, I was fine with the skirt---until I saw it. I am really glad he was the one that decided it wasn't good enough though.

I think we are going to buy tile and the shower door tonight and probably the heat blanket for the floor. I am thinking we might as well buy the sink too because that would finish all the major purchases but it is up to him.

Taking pictures along the way, but will wait for the "reveal" to post them :-) At the moment, he is still shooting for September 1, my "craziest" day of the year, as his finishing point. I am still saying, I don't care what the rest of the room looks like, as soon as he has my whirlpool operational and everything around it is safe for me to use, I'm using it! He told me last week it was probably about 3 work weeks away. We are going to his Grandmother's on the 30th so that takes out one of his weeks, I am shooting for my birthday--the middle of August.

Newton Marching Eagles Card

2010-07-12T06:01:00.004-05:00

I have already told you the Marching Eagles are going to have a SPECTACULAR year!! Now, here is a way you can save yourself some money and support the band all at the same time.

Just $10 each and savings from Newton, Effingham and Robinson! Use it everytime you visit your favorite merchants, expires June 30th, 2011. Let me know if you want to purchase.

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-04T07:11:00.002-05:00

In honor of our nation's celebration of independence, please pause a moment to read the Declaration of Independence. We take so many things for granted.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

2010-06-25T19:43:00.000-05:00

This picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Testing...1,2,3,. Testing......

2010-06-25T06:23:00.002-05:00

This week was my scheduled yearly Doctor's exam. Now it looks like the next few weeks I am going to be busy. Thought I might as well post here so nobody "hears" anything that isn't correct.

First off, I have a little colon problem, I know...gross to even talk about it, but I have been having some blood for quite some time (I was actually bleeding in April '09 when I went to the hospital but we thought it was because of too much aleve and motrin), it takes spurts of being a lot of it, I honestly didn't think I was bleeding this week but when my doctor checked, I tested positive for blood in my stools. Sooo.....I am waiting for the call from another doctor's office to have a colonoscopy. This is really my only symptom that anything is wrong. Once in a while, when I am really stressed out, I have pain in my lower stomach, but it is honestly not a lot. Anyway, for those of you that will ask, it is red blood, not black, it hasn't traveled far and my doctor's best guess, off the cuff, is ulcerative colitis, something that can be managed with medication.

Next, because of my family history, I am getting a series of tests done on my heart. I am planning on them finding that NOTHING IS WRONG. My dad had his first heart attack when he was my age, he died a year later. It adds to my stress level that I worry anytime my heart gets to beating a little funny or I get short of breath, which I honestly believe is normal but we are going to find out.

I had an EEG Wednesday, along with my beloved Pap smear. Today I go have blood tests, Monday I do a treadmill stress test, Monday afternoon I get a mammogram, Tuesday I have a resting stress test and July 8th I have a sonogram of my heart.

If you are one of my praying friends, I ask that you pray we find everything healthy in my heart and that my colon is an easy fix and of course that the pap and mammo are fine, although I have never had just one mammogram, I always have two with the second one "pressing out" what the first one found.

Geesh, I guess I could think of this as a royal spa treatment, just for the inside instead of the outside....or, as I was putting it in terms Robert could understand, I am having my transmission and engine checked out.

I will keep everyone posted, but please, I know how things get around here, if you hear anybody thinking I am "sick", direct them to my post....I am just as high on life as ever!

2010-06-23T05:33:00.003-05:00

Nila came last weekend to start Robert's Senior Pictures, I am extremely excited about how they are starting to turn out, of course, out of about 125 pictures, she has only let me see two. I LOVE this one! Mom thinks it's sad, but my perspective is we are watching him start to make his own way in the world.

He had some taken with his friend Trygve too. This one is just cool. Yes, she did take lots of him by himself, some I am really anxious to see, like one of him standing in the creek and one of him leaning back on the jeep.

I am hating the fact that my baby is old enough for this, but I am LOVING the pictures!

Ready

2010-06-18T06:05:00.002-05:00

Between vacation and the conference I just attended, I am really EXCITED to get back to work. I have so many new ideas from the conference and finally feel revived and recharged enough to confront them.

I will post the rest of my pictures from San Antonio on FB probably early next week. We have a policy about facebook and company computers so I only use my phone for FB while I am gone and it is just so much easier to upload the photos from the computer.

The rest of the month of June looks to be just as busy as it started, Nila and Richard are coming tonight for the weekend, Nila is starting Robert's senior pictures. Can't wait to start seeing them!

Next week is VBS and on Saturday, some friends of mine, Robert and I are going to see Wicked!! I didn't think I would get to see it this time! Found out while I was in San Antonio that it is making a two month show at Chicago around Christmas, we may have to try to trek up there. One of the girls who sat with me at the conference has seen in 12 times. She is from Ft. Smith Arkansas and is planning on making the trip. She couldn't get to St. Louis because of too many other plans.

Also found out on my way home yesterday that there will be a trip to Springfield the last week of the month--Also fair week, then the Cantata and Ice Cream Social on Sunday afternoon of the 4th.

Of course, the bathroom project will be underway the 1st. Our cooling program runs the 19th through the 30th and I am hoping to go see Andrew's grandmother the weekend of the 30th. The next week will be our Annual School Shopping day and night at the Muny--to see Footloose. Then less than two weeks until school starts.

Then BAND!!! Let me tell you something....watch, everybody, watch close. The band is going to be AWESOME this year! I can see it, feel it, and know it. The best thing is the kids know it. I have never seen them so pumped and attitude is half the battle.

Okay, so I have just laid down the next 4 months in a matter of paragraphs. Just excited about life right now.....BRING IT ON!!!!

Still here....

2010-06-16T07:39:00.004-05:00

Good Morning again from San Antonio. It has been a great week and I have learned so much. Two things of great interest. We have one propane company that gives us fits, they are in 35-40 states and are the second largest propane company in the nation. We have had problems with them for years, apparently the Attorney General of four other states have them under investigation for deceptive practice. YES!!! Another BIG thing we are learning about is the Smart Grid, along with Smart Meters. You want to talk about something up for debate--this is it. To my friends who worry about the government knowing too much of your business, just wait until these come to town. So far, I'm not honestly seeing the benefits. What I have seen will not conserve any energy, just change it and make more money for the utility companies. Basically, part of the program will be to charge a high rate for electricity during the day and a lower one at night, some are even talking about a graded scale, so if you really want to save money, you will get up at 2AM and do your dishes and laundry.

On a lighter note, we went to Tower of the Americas last night. Very nice.
The big rectangle in the center of the picture is our hotel. The Hyatt, it is built looking over the Alamo, the funny thing is, when they went to start building it, San Antonio realized that if they built it too big, it would cast a shadow on the Alamo. They informed them that if there was even one shadow on the Alamo, they would have the building destroyed. So, the building ended up not being near as big as they planned.

They went around the corner of the Riverwalk and built this one. So there are two Hyatt's within a half a mile of each other, smartly, this one is on the North side of the Alamo, and two more blocks away!

Tomorrow at this time, I will be more than half way back to St. Louis. Our plane leaves at 6:10, scheduled to arrive at 9:38. Plan on being back in Newton around noon. I have had a wonderful trip, still look forward to a good day of workshops today and then hopefully take in the Japanese Gardens this evening. I am starting to get homesick for my guys and my mom though.

Happy Wednesday!

Hello from San Antonio!

2010-06-14T06:39:00.003-05:00

It is beautiful where we are! A little on the hot and humid side but I am so glad we got to come yesterday so we could see a little before we get to work.

The Alamo, across the street from our Hotel.
Casa Rio, supper

Brenda in front of our hotel

The plaza between our hotel and the Alamo

I am sure some of you are wondering what we are actually "doing" here. Well, today's workshops that I am going to are: Consumer Protection and Delivered Fuels--believe me, we need all the help we can get on this one, as much Propane that is used in our area. We have some propane vendors that are owned by out of state companies, it basically means they don't have to abide by Illinois laws. They charge our clients more, it isn't right, especially when our clients are already having a hard time.

Another workshop I am going to is a Dialogue with Federal Officials. We get to see thier point of view in why they make some of the decisions they do because quite frankly, sometimes they don't make sense to us.

Then there is the workshops I am still up in the air over. There are two I want to go to and they are at the same time. If Brenda has decided to go to one, I will go to the other one. The first one is Educating Low Income Consumers to Manage Their Energy Use and Costs. The second is Serving the Newly Vulnerable. They are both very important. I am leaning toward the Newly Vulnerable though because we have people who have been laid off from long time, good paying jobs that either don't know about us or won't ask for help even though this is what it is for.

I may have to flip a coin.

Better get ready, Happy Monday!

All in a Day's Work

2010-06-14T06:27:00.003-05:00

I tried to post this Saturday night but Blogger was not letting me upload my pictures.

Our project that had to be done before we started the bathroom remodel is finished! Yes, my guys are officially Superman and Superman Jr. in my eyes.

I have wanted a shower in the front bath since we moved in, now that we are getting ready to tear out the shower in the back bath, it was a total necessity. The guys did it, start to finish in about 4 hours.

I LOVE IT!!!!

Before- Andrew honestly got the basket off the wall before I got the picture taken!

After!!

Rest of vacation in a nutshell

2010-06-05T20:48:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I got busy having a good time and didn't keep up with the blogging on vacation. I put a more complete photo album on facebook but here is the "condensed" version.

Day two, US Air Force Museum, Dayton OH

Somehow I didn't get pictures on here of Day three. We went to the US Victory musuem, it was Memorial Day so we also attended the Memorial Day Program. How cool it was to be there, among all the history.

Day four: Studebaker Museum at South Bend, the guys also visited the National Automobile and Truck Museum that morning, while I went antique shopping.

Tuesday night at the Hancock Tower Observation deck

Wednesday at Museum of Science and Industry, they were doing a submarine simulation training. Most people failed because you have to be able to work together.

They obviously work very well together (watch them work on a car and you would know this).

Shedd Aquarium on Thursday

Lunch at Adler Planetarium Thursday

Medieval Times- what a hoot!

Friday morning we made our trek to IKEA, I made a healthy deposit and we headed toward home. We arrived around 5 p.m. Friday evening to two very happy pups. Eventhough we had a great time, it was good to be home. Andrew has stated that it is great that we actually took some time to just lay back and relax, that made it nice. We had several evenings that we stayed at the hotel, sat in a hot tub and just chilled out. We went almost all week without the tv on, that was probably the greatest (and of course, the guys pointed out that they are very thankful for the DVR when we got back--oh well, it was good while it lasted!)

VACATION!!!!

2010-05-29T20:25:00.003-05:00

Quick note from Friday night: Robert and Mac the Night. I had forgotten all about this McDonalds in Plainfield Indiana until we walked in the door last night. This was one of our "scheduled stops" when we would drive home from PA in the middle of the night. Of course Robert didn't remember it, but he loved Mac then too. Andrew and I are pretty sure we have a picture of baby Robert and Mac.

FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF VACA:

Creation Museum, Lawrenceburg, KY (Cincinnati OH).

What a wonderful, wonderful place, we had a great time, watched two planetarium shows and listened to one of the Answer in Genesis speakers speak on "Is Genesis relevant in today's world" VERY interesting. I wish it wasn't quite so far away, I would love for this to be a field trip for our youth group kids!

Then, SKYLINE CHILI!!!! A tradition for the Browning family. When Andrew and I were first married, Andrew had a remodel on a store in Aurora Indiana, I had the weekend off and it wasn't his weekend to come home so I drove over for the weekend. Two things he told me I had to see was the airport and skyline chili. We never come to Cincy that we don't go to Skyline. Their chili is an old Greek recipe that was brought straight from Greece to Cincinnati. Now there are Skylines spreading through Indiana and Ohio, 18 years ago, it was pretty much a local thing. On top of the chili having both chocolate and cinnamon in the recipe, it is traditionally served on Spaghetti, you can get three-way-Spaghetti, Chili, Cheese, four-way, the aforementioned, add beans and five-way, with a layer of onions. Of course, five-way is the way to do it up right.

Here is mine and Andrew's five-ways:

And Robert's chili cheese fries:
The next stop was to the airport, the cool thing about this particular airport is you drive under one of the runways. When Andrew was out here, he had drove but had to go get the rest of his teammates at the airport. When he saw this, it was something he thought I would think was cool, and I did. Then we sat out in their observation parking lot to watch the planes come in.

It was a slow night, so we didn't see much. I always enjoy watching the planes. It reminds me that you don't always have to spend a lot of money to make your kids happy. One particular time, we were just moving to Bloomfield Indiana, Robert was 4. We had worked really hard at getting unpacked and moved in that we all needed a break. Robert wanted to do something "fun". We drove to Indianapolis, spent an hour watching the plans came in and then found the nearest McDonald's playplace. Cost of the day about $20. The memories-priceless. It always reminds me that we may not have always had a lot but we have most definitely always had each other and that made us rich even when the bank account has said otherwise. I think I am a bit nostalgic on this trip, I know the days of Robert getting to go with us are numbered.

We happened upon this geological gem of history leaving the airport viewing sight. Cool, had we been here in 1880, we would have been in the Center of the population of the U.S.

I just hope the rest of this week is as grand as today.

Tomorrow we head to Dayton for our 4th trip to the Air Force Museum. Yes, my guys love cars but there is still a soft spot with both of them for planes. This is the first of my "see and sit" days. I have seen these planes, I will look at these planes again, it takes me about a tenth of the time to see the planes as it does the guys. I look, I sit, this year, I brought a book. I am excited. I NEVER have time to sit down and read a book at home. Tomorrow night we head to Auburn Indiana to one of our favorite hotels. Stay tuned, if I have time, I will post.

A Night to Celebrate

2010-05-19T06:16:00.004-05:00

Last night was our association's Award Gala. This is the night that our Family and Community Development Specialists graduate and the service awards are handed out to individuals that have done remarkable things toward the war on poverty. Last night, our Executive Director, Marsha Roll, was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Award. This is the association's highest award and it is presented to those who have dedicated their lives toward Helping Others and Changing Lives. For the last 41 years, Marsha has been doing just that.

Marsha also has first hand knowledge of poverty, growing up in a not-so-perfect environment. She does exemplify to us both how we should treat our clients and how to administer our programs with competence and professionalism.

Marsha was also elected to the board of directors for the association last night. Definitely a big night for her and one that I am sure is still sinking in. It is amazing to see what can be accomplished.

I am very honored to work for Marsha and enjoy her being my boss, my mentor and most of all my friend.

Morning from a Soggy Springfield

2010-05-17T05:49:00.002-05:00

That's my view of the capitol this morning. Not the greatest day in the world but hey, we don't have to leave the building until evening so maybe it will clear up by then.

Last night was our Family of Distinction dinner. Wow. Just Wow. I know there are times people make it clear they don't approve of what I do. I would love for them to come to this dinner just once. These are not the only people who have made their lives better, these are just the cream of the crop. We had two, not one but TWO of our award winners who were starting their own businesses. Our particular winner has been teaching school for a year now, when budget cuts were made to their school, two positions were cut but not hers. All of them though, have made better lives for themselves and their families, they have made it with a little help from some from Community Action Agencies. They are all amazing in my eyes. The setting for this years dinner was the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. This is one of my favorite spots in Springfield and a coworker and I were about the last ones out of the building last night. If you have not been here, you should go. It in itself, is amazing.

I wish I would have gotten a better picture of this group. They are the Lincoln Troubadours. They are High School and College kids from around the area, they sing a capella in 6-part harmony. They were fantastic. I have a feeling, had I gotten a better picture, Robert would recognize the guy on the end, I didn't get a chance to talk to him but I believe I have pictures from All-State that he is in.

It's amazing to me what a big part Springfield holds in my life. Once again, I can see Memorial Hospital from my window. My dad was there when I was in 7th grade. Last night, as we were leaving the Museum, we were on a bus and it turned at St. John's Hospital. My mom was there for six weeks when I was a freshman. Those were scary times for me and ultimately, times that put me in the same position as many of the families I work with.

My mom still doesn't understand why we didn't know more about the programs that ERBA offered at that time. I do, every time someone would mention getting help, she would act like it was a dirty word. Every once in a while someone would leave groceries in our car. Mom's first reaction was all out anger then deep down relief as we had many times she would sit at the kitchen table and try to figure out how to pay bills and buy groceries on what we were getting on social security. By the time this happened, she had a huge apparatus on one arm and hand, when she would go to apply for jobs, there wasn't anyone who needed the things she was limited to doing. Yes a little help with things like heat would have been nice.

I know many, many nights I wondered why God chose us to go through what we did. On the outside, we were making it fine, on the inside I believe we were scared to death.

I am celebrating my 10 year anniversary with ERBA. When I started, I told myself if I could make one family feel less scared about their situation, if I can help even just a few people see that asking for help is not a dirty word that I would have accomplished something. I have met more amazing people who overcome odds and make more out of their lives than I ever imagined.

A few weeks ago, I got a new sofa and love seat. After the movers were gone, I sat there all by myself and cried. There was a time in my life that I seriously never thought I would have a life where new anything was part of my vocabulary. I am so grateful for the life God has given me. I am even more grateful for what he has let me do to help others achieve that.

Life Goes On...

2010-05-14T05:54:00.002-05:00

Definitely a day I am glad it's Friday. Seems like this week has went on forever. I have kinda been neglecting my blog (again) because our normally crazy life has been, well, just kinda normal this week. It's a little weird when that happens. But since, it isn't the norm, it is still a change and so hey, I guess that makes it normal after all.

We have had a couple times of little added excitement around here. A week ago last Sunday night, we were getting ready to leave for church, turned the living room light/ceiling fan off at the remote and flames shot out of the top if it. My dear pack rat husband fixed it without it even costing anything. Apparently (I honestly don't remember this) when we bought the ceiling fan, I didn't like the lampshades that were with the light kit. We bought a different light kit. Andrew kept the old one....let there be light.

Last Saturday morning, I had just cleaned my oven and smelled something getting too hot, I opened my basement door and smoke came billowing out. I went running down the stairs to my washer smoking. I got it turned off and hollered up the stairs that my washer was on fire which jolted Andrew out of bed. He came down, took one look at it, said it was the belt, turned around and went up the stairs, end of subject. The house smelled like burnt rubber the rest of the day. We have a new belt ordered and once again, Superman took all the laundry across the street, washed it, brought it home and dried it before I got home last night. Life is good!

Monday night, I hosted a Pampered Chef party, what a great time! I love having a party in May, it forces me to get my yard cleaned up as well as have all my spring cleaning done. Last year, I was still working on the yard in June, actually the DAY before Andrew's grandmother was coming for a visit. It feels so good to have everything just about completed. We had such a great time at my party and I got LOTS of free stuff, along with some great things at 25 and 50% off.

Tuesday night was class, this is winding down too, we had a good class though and made it through the resume class, which is the hardest. We skip this coming week and then they take their final on the 25th, this is going to be a successful class!

Last night, I spent the evening with my mom, we had a GREAT time, picked up a few new things for my conference next week and found her a pressure pot (hers "exploded" a few weeks ago). Had a great dinner at Neimergs, just a great evening. I will always treasure those times.

Robert has been helping clean out the "pickle shed" this week. It is a building at the high school that houses all the musical props/wood/etc. The district is tearing it down so all the supplies went to an outlying school that is no longer open for storage. He was also finishing working on his Nana's lawnmower, thought it was fixed, but now they can't get it to start...back to the drawing board.

I leave Sunday for the IACAA Conference, I really enjoy this conference and some very special things happen on Sunday. Sunday evening, we are having the Family of Distinction banquet. Each year, our field offices go through all the clients that have successfully worked their way our of needing us. They pick the biggest success from each office and then the best of all those are sent to the state. On Sunday night, there is a banquet honoring our Family of Distinction winners from all over the state. This is the night we get to see what our assistance can accomplish. And more so, what human beings can do when they have someone to believe in them. We are having the banquet at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, then afterwards get the Museum to ourselves. Granted there will still be about 400 people there, but it will be a very special evening.

Andrew is being honored on Tuesday at a Luncheon in Effingham for "Silver and Gold" Associates. I believe he said there were 5 "Silver" (more that 25 years service) associates in the Olney store, Andrew is the only member of management from Olney that has put in more than 25 years. Next month, he will celebrate number 26.

Of course, We leave on our adventurous vacation two weeks from tomorrow. No, I still don't have all the "new" plans made, but I believe it will be exciting. I also believe it may be one of those vacations where I have to go back to work to get some rest but it will be fun.

That's it for now, looks like plenty, will try to post next week as I know how I get when I am sitting in a hotel room. The plus side is we are at the Hilton--my personal favorite in Springfield. I got the BEST room last year, probably won't get that lucky two years in a row but it will still be nice.

The Kitchen Redo-Phase 1

2010-05-01T14:24:00.006-05:00

It's finally 100% the way it is going to be for a while, hopefully sometime before fall we will get new counter tops and a new light fixture, I would love new tile on the floor too but actually, the colors make my near-white floor look better than it did. I just finished the stenciling this morning. It's almost a thing with me, it has to be stenciled to be done!

Before:

After:

I think it is odd how well the bar stools look like they were made for the new room, with all the silver and the tan wood. You can notice it in the pictures but Andrew SCRUBBED all the hardware and door handles, they were original and now they look brand new. I love them! Also, if you notice in the before picture of this picture, the left door was sideways, my Knight in Shining Armour fixed that too! My most favorite thing he did though, you can't even see. When we moved in, all our cabinet doors shut with a little piece of metal holding on to another piece of metal in the cabinet. Most of the ones on the cabinets were gone so if you got really lucky, you could get all the cabinet doors closed at once. My cabinets are now 100% magnetic closure--something else I absolutely love!

And my stencils......

Memories of the Wizard

2010-04-23T05:54:00.004-05:00

I think you would have to agree, if you saw the Wizard of Oz last weekend that it was spectacular! I finally had a few minutes to get some pictures up. Everyone did a great job, I'm a little partial to Uncle Henry on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and the guard on Saturday (personally my favorite character in the whole show) but it was just awesome all the way around. Now patiently waiting for the video!

This is Dawson, I got to sell tickets with Dawson's mom whom I felt like I had known for a long time, but technically just met on Friday evening. It was really good to meet you Rebekah and I look forward to talking to you again one of these days.

This is from Saturday, Robert as the guard. One of his friends from the Junior High, who had seen him as the guard Friday morning informed me he "rocked the suit". Well, after this performance, I totally agreed.

Singing his solo, GOOD JOB!!

Kiersten as Dorothy, Taryn as Glinda, Landon as the Tinman and Danny as Scarecrow.

I was so honored that the kids came to our house to eat between shows. I really think they enjoyed just getting away for a few minutes and we sure enjoyed having them. Take a good look at this bunch, they, as far as I am concerned, are some of the finest young people in the world.

Robert as an Ozian, his "other part"when he is Uncle Henry

Robert as Uncle Henry, with Jenna as Dorothy.
Family portrait, Robert, Jenna and Rachael

Our four junior boys. Danny, Robert, Landon and Jared. Just think, we get the pleasure of seeing what they are going to be up to next year!

Trying not to cry just posting these, I know some of the kids are having withdrawal already and some of them still have crazy lives but for the rest of their lives, they will remember this weekend, and the months that preceded it. Truly memories worth keeping.

Ya' ever just wanna scream???

2010-04-16T07:07:00.002-05:00

What a day yesterday was!!! Frustrating to say the least, but before I go any farther I have to say the brightest part of my day was watching the NCHS Chorus present the Wizard of Oz! Good job cast and crew!

Yesterday morning, I headed to Olney to the Weatherization building. The guys down there had some pretty simple requests. They needed new email addresses set up on both their towers and their laptops, they needed Weatherworks put on their laptops and ONE of them needed Lotus put on his laptop. All was going well until I tried to install Lotus. I bought a new Lotus disc about 6 months ago. It had worked fine until I was trying to install it on a computer at the new Weatherization building in Greenup, then I met with grief. I had tried everything I could think of and ended up calling MASS, who finally go the thing to install. Yesterday I ran into the exact same error. I looked it up on the internet and found a fix but it involved getting into the registry, which I normally don't do. I called my friend Mat from MASS who told me he had found the fix on the internet, he was in Shelbyville working a job and couldn't come down but the fix he found did contain getting into the registry. Brian needed the program on there asap so I rolled up my sleeves and delved into the registry. I did what I had instructions for and low and behold, it loaded!! Success!!! I was so excited.

My next feat of the day was to install a printer in Robinson. Installing printers are no brainers---most of the time. I left Robinson yesterday evening with the printer not installed. Every time you hook the printer up to the tower, it shuts down. I believe there are too many old conflicting printers still installed so I will have to do some uninstalling but I didn't have time yesterday so I have another trip planned for next week.

Last night, Robert took the jeep to go pick up some friends before the musical. The jeep fell apart at the rest area south of town. Looks like we need a new rear drive shaft; which seems to be scarce. The guys didn't worry about it until after the musical but it meant for a very late night, we hit the hay around 2 this morning, Robert had to be at school at 7, I am sure he will honestly come home and go to bed when he gets out of school this afternoon.

There are days I just have the old Hee Haw song running through my mind....If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.........

I know there are worse things in the world, but still......

We're off to see the Wizard......

2010-04-12T21:15:00.002-05:00

Oh, the beginning of the absolute craziest week of the year!! I think the worst part of the musical at our house will be, as usual, next Monday night when Robert is trying to figure out what to do with himself (I may drag him to a basket bingo, he used to have pretty good luck when he was younger!)

I got to see a little preview this evening, to keep from getting in trouble, I won't expound, but I am very impressed with everything I have seen.

Robert is Uncle Henry on Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday. He is the Guard for the Friday morning show and the Saturday shows. He loves both parts but I am especially looking forward to Saturday because he sings.

Thrown in for good measure this week, I have class tomorrow night, our first night of Word--by the way, I gained a student last week, which makes this my biggest class ever--7. And then there is the fact that I got this hair brained idea last week to paint the kitchen. Of course, I don't just pick a color. I picked out Orchard Park Plaid. I gathered a napkin, three longaberger picture frames and a basket and away we went to Menards to get the paint. So......My walls are sage green, my cabinets are ivory, the ceiling is a lighter ivory, the cabinet doors are (going to be) paprika and the little trim (and there is a BUNCH of it) is rich brown. I love what is done, but the big problem is it ISN'T done. Andrew took all the hardward off the cabinets and is planning on cleaning the 80+ years of paint off of it. He has three days off so I am not to worry....it should be done by Saturday, which is good since I am having company in for the musical. I am technically having company Wednesday night, as it is our Youth group fun night and we are all meeting here to go geocaching then out for pizza. Maybe, just maybe, everything will be perfect by then!

Then, there is April 15th. Everybody be forewarned, the cutoff for the child tax credit is SIXTEEN. Robert turned 17 before the end of the year. Andrew and I neither one like letting the government keep our money interest free, we never get hardly anything back. So as you can imagine, us loosing our $1,000 tax credit= us paying a $1,000 in taxes. Not looking forward to the 15th. There are all these things online where you can set up a payment agreement. Yeah, let me know how that works for ya'. I think I will pass and just feel broke. I'm still trying to figure out why I can't be one of those "50% of middle class America doesn't pay taxes". I missed that class and afraid I am too big of a tightwad for our own good. According to the tax websites, if our mortgage were bigger, we bought more cars, owed more money to doctors, hospitals, dentists, etc, had more debt. We would probably be better off.

Oh well, Andrew reminds me that at least when we pay taxes, it turns around and pays my wages, guess it's only fair.

I will try to post pictures from the musical next week but if you get a chance, you should come out, I don't believe you will be disappointed.

New Adventures

2010-03-31T05:46:00.004-05:00

Last night marked the beginning of a new set of computer classes. I always am so nervous I about make myself sick before the first class. I have never had two groups even close to being alike and this group is no exception. I have six students and I think this is going to be a great class.

My heartbreaker is normally my students are working but "under-employed", this time, 5 out of 6 of them are unemployed. I have one lady whose husband past away of a heart attack at 48, my dad was 44. She has three kids, one in college, one in high school and a 6 year old. She has never touched a computer but sheer will and determination, she is going to be one of my best students.

I have another student who had worked for a major factory in the area for 20+ years, she was a victim of downsizing in December. She got severance but it ends in September and she is hoping to have something in place by then.

I always make a pretty busy list for the first night of class, how far I get on that list is a determaning factor to me as to how much I can teach them and what pace to set the class. I got all the way through my list and only went over by 5 minutes. I think this is going to be a great set of classes.

Helping People, Changing Lives.....it's our motto and days like yesterday makes me remember why I love my job.

Perfect and Prestine

2010-03-24T17:19:00.001-05:00

Both words that came out of our Grants Manager's mouth today regarding our applications. You can't ask for more than that!

Answer: Wheeeeeeeee

2010-03-20T22:04:00.005-05:00

Question: What did the snail say when he took a ride on the turtle's back?

I feel like I have been on the back of maybe a panther. It seems I have a couple of times a year that things start feeling like they are spiraling out of control, I seem to be in one of them.

I spent the 8th-11th in Springfield at the LIHEAP conference. Lots of big changes coming. I volunteered to help with one of them and when I started getting emails on it last week, realized I am one of 5 in the state that will serve as a focus group. It will be a project where my LIHEAP world and my IT world combine, so though it is another thing on my plate, I am looking very forward to the end result.

I start classes again on the 30th. Right now I have 4 students, I have been hoping for at least 6, we shall see. We also decided last week we would seek accreditation for the classes, which means I may have a few more hoops to jump through over the next few months. I doubt if we can get it done for this group of students but it would be nice if down the road it could happen. I can't imagine what it would do for our clients to have a little college credit under them.

Our Grants Manager is spending most of the week with us next week, monitoring files, making sure we all know how to do our jobs and aren't doing anything contrary to our grant. For the last 4 months, our program has been number 1 in the state in several areas. Eventhough we get along great with Art, I know his job is to find something. My job is to make sure there is nothing to find. It is still nerve racking. Last year, I had a denied application that was missing one form it needed in it. I fixed it and it was marked corrected before the visit was over but I still liked to died over it. I will be happier next Thursday.

Today, we went and bought a new sofa and loveseat. I hate spending money. I fret over it, and now, eventhough I love what we got, I am second guessing whether or not we should have done it. It was even on sale, so I should be happy and I will love it once it gets here, I just freak out a little in the "adjusting" phase.

Here is a stock picture; we don't have anyplace for the regular recliner so we didn't get it and ours is a tweedy brown (think Chrissy with brown specks) It should be here in 4-6 weeks.

Robert is gone every night right now, between musical and church. His favorite time of year though. I haven't been down to watch practice, I try not to go too much so I get the full effect. He has practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Awana on Wednesday, helps with sets on Friday and church on Sunday. I don't know what he feels like he is riding, but in his "spare" time this week, he has put something or other new on his transmission, built a new tv stand for the basement, helped Nana burn some brush, and has done several loads of laundry for me. He and Jacob went to Effingham tonight for supper and to run around after practice. I had told Andrew I bet they would be home by 9, he walked in the door about a quarter til. I kinda gave him a hard time about it and he informed me they had both had long days, it was good to go but it was good to come home too. Yes, I have a stepford child. Don't ask me how he got that way, I was usually pulling in the drive as the clock struck 12. He is way better than I was at that age. All joking aside, he is a really good kid and I just thank the Lord that he is.

Andrew is doing great with his new schedule, he is really settling in and liking his job. I LOVE how much time he has been at home. He is getting some much needed projects done, little things we needed to do before we start on bigger projects. I am still up in the air about when to start on the kitchen. Part of me wanted to do it in April but I am having supper for the cast on Saturday between the matinee and the evening performance and I don't want to run a risk of my kitchen being torn up. I am also planning a Pampered Chef party sometime in May and would like to have at least some things finished by then. June is going to be another crazy month so if we do it, it has to be finished before the 27th of May....who knows, it doesn't look bad right now, just not the way I want it. We shall see, I may shoot to have it done by Christmas, no I'm not joking.

Well, that is the family update. I feel guilty for neglecting my blog so much lately, I really miss just writing down what is going on and I know some of our family relies on it to know what's up with us (sorry Andrew, LOL).

P.S. Thanks to those friends of mine who think our lives are exciting. Chaotic is sometimes the first word that comes to mind but you help me remember that we really do have lots to be thankful for. :-)