Oh, by the way...

I've missed my sisters!

I was going to go over to Rachael's house before I left today, but she's working, so I decided to come over to Lori's house and chill out with her and Anthony.

I also got a present from my mom, Thanks mom! I love the sweater! And Bob, thanks for fixing my entertainment door that was broken!

I also got to hang out with baby Anthony, he is so much bigger! I think he gained weight at Mom's house, which I'm not surprised!

Now, I think I'll fix something to eat for lunch!



Baby Anthony is so adorable!

A brief summary of 2007 events...

You may all know, from reading my blog, about what happened this year, but I'll do a quick summary, for fun. (Not in order)

-Natalie got married
-Katya came home for the first time
-Lori had baby Anthony

Yup, most of the major events happened to my family this year vs. me personally...

Actually, I can think of a few more things that have to do with me:
I turned 27!
Jason and I celebrated our 1st anniversary!

If I think of more, I'll add them.
But you know... I think that sometimes, no new news is better than news sometimes, right???

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas is over and the new year is just about here!

I think I mentioned this before, but it didn't really feel like Christmas this year, as much as I'm used to... so the day after, I took down my tree and all the decorations. I felt pretty good about having my house back and not watching the cats claw the trunk of my fake Christmas tree (which made it look a little more real) but annoying...
I'm sure, by now, now that it's almost 11 p.m. and they left around 10 a.m., that Lori and Rachael are home now. I had the fun job of taking care of Rachael's bunny and kitty, feeding, watering, and giving them a little love. Not too hard.
But I sure did miss them! I had to con Jason into hanging out with me most of the time, because my whole family was gone and I didn't have anyone to hang out with!
Today, we had intentions of watching a movie, but ended up going to the store to buy something to wear for New Year's Eve in Chicago!
Yup, we're going to Chicago for New Year's Rockin' Eve with my friend Betsy and her husband, Steve. Tonight I've been looking online for information for the train, because I've never taken the train (that I can remember) in the U.S. (I took the train a lot in London). And I'm really excited! I've had to build the case with Jason...
1. We won't have to deal with traffic.
2. We won't have to pay for parking.
3. I won't have to have a sore foot when driving stick shift in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
4. We won't have to worry about stupid drunk drivers!!!
I think we're also planning on going to Navy Pier for the count-down which should be pretty fun. I heard they were having fireworks too!

I'm pretty excited. I think the only other fun thing I've done on a New Year's Eve was go to Portland, Oregon... fun, except for the fact that there was a small riot! Now, THAT was scary and got scarier, when me and my friend were trying to get out of there, she's trying to video tape the whole thing and then she couldn't remember where she parked!!!

Hopefully, this year will be WAY better!
I'll fill you all in later.
Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve Eve

Yesterday, among many things that I got done, like making over 100 Chocolate Peanut butter no-bake cookies for my neighbors and the maintenance staff, Rachael wanted me to take Jack and Katie to my house and have them help me make the desserts that I had to make for Christmas. So, I picked them up, and brought them to my house to help!
Well, the only they really helped me with, was bringing in the groceries! Then got busy harassing the cats, rummaging through all my Christmas presents (that somehow mysteriously got a little ripped open, here and there... mmmm...) and finding left over yarn that they wanted to keep.
While they were busy doing that, I was making the Peanut Butter Pie that Jason absolutely loves and I made it with a chocolate crust and a layer of hot fudge... I think it may be the best one yet!
Then the kids got hungry, so I made pasta noodles with spaghetti sauce and added onions, mushrooms, and peppers to it. We all sat down and ate it at the table while watching "Home Alone" one of my favorite Christmas movies. Jack had seconds and Katie actually ate her whole bowl full!
Well, I still had to make the Chocolate Layer Cheesecake so I went back into the kitchen while the kids got back to their kitty catching expedition.
Until Katie came and asked me if she could take a bath... I remembered earlier that day, that she asked Rachael if she could take a bath and Rachael told her that if she did, then she'd have to put on her pajamas and go to bed, but this was later in the day, and at my house, and if they wanted to take a bath, instead of driving my cats mad... then why not?
So, they took a bubble bath and I taught them how to lather the soap in their hands in order to wash, then had them wash their hair (if they're going to take a bath, why not wash their hair and get it out of the way?)
They had a good time and I finished the second dessert, so it worked out good.
Then, when they got out, I made sure I blow-dried their hair so they didn't get sick with the windchill outside of 6 degrees or so...
It was kind of fun! I got done what I needed to get done, and helped Rachael get done what she needed to get done, and let the kids have a little fun, all at the same time!
A little before 8 p.m. I decided that we should head home, so we got in the car and instead of the 5 to 7 minute ride home, I took about 40 minutes and drove around for the kids to see all the super-cool Christmas lit houses and decorations, while jammin' to Christmas songs on the radio!
We finally made it home, and I thought I had done a great job of Auntie/babysitter until Katie asked Rachael, "Mom? Can I have a bath?"

Scarfed out!

I'm currently making my brother, Ryan, a scarf for Christmas and let me tell you... my hands are so sore and cramped!
I think I have made almost everyone under the sun, a scarf or blanket for Christmas!
One for each of Rachael's kids, two for my mom, one each for my co-workers, and a ton more that I have to keep quiet until after Christmas!
I'm at work right now, I only have to work until 12 p.m. which is good because I have to make German Casserole for Christmas Day at Jason's mom's house, one vegetarian and one with real meat. It's actually kind of cool because his mom and aunt and uncle are trying vegetarian meals and I think this is a really good one and easy one too! So, I'm looking forward to them trying it out.
Oh, I'm feeling a bit better! I still have a cough and stuffy nose, but I'm feeling better. I can taste food and smell stuff now which is good (except for the whole kitty litter box I have to clean out...)!
Back to the scarf topic... I have a major problem with presents. Most of the time, when I get someone something, I have to get one for myself too! So, with all the scarves that I've made, I think I may have kept over half of them! I love them so much! I even made one with a pretty green yarn, it was kind of plain, but I really liked it! Then I noticed that Natalie had the same color of coat, so I gave it to her the weekend that Lori had Anthony. She accidentally left it at Rachael's and I saw Rachael wearing it (I first thought that Nat didn't like it and left it for Rachael, but found out that it wasn't on purpose) but Rachael wore it every day! Then Natalie came back this weekend and got it back. Then she left it in my car on Saturday, and left on Sunday without it!
I called her and told her that she left it in there, and that I should just let Rachael borrow it until she comes back, but Natalie told me not to, or else she won't ever get it back! So, Rachael wants one exactly like it!
I'm having a lot of fun this year, not having to deal with too much Christmas traffic because I've made so many of my presents this year and/or bought them ahead of time! I'm so stress-free that it doesn't really feel like Christmas, even though it's tomorrow!!!
Either way, Merry Christmas to all and for those of you who'd like a scarf, let me know and I'll see what I can do!

Let's spread the holiday cheer!

I have the holiday cold... and it sucks! (I mean, it 'BLOWS'!)
I was going to make home-made cookies for friends and neighbors and co-workers, although I'm sick and can't make them until I'm better or I'll spread more than Christmas cheer!
It started Friday night and got worse on Sunday.
Yesterday, I took the last half of the day off work because I was blowing my nose every 4 or 5 minutes and then sanitizing my hands, and then putting lotion on my nose (it's raw from the blowing).
So, I had to run errands, like get some breath right strips for my nose, and some cold medicine, and was going to buy cologne for Jason for Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I couldn't smell a thing until I got there and asked to smell the Hugo. Didn't work. So, she sent me home with a sample and about 5 other scents sprayed on paper... which means, I probably smelled like MAN all day long and didn't know it, because they were all in my purse!
Then I remembered back in the day when I was sick in Academy, we used to suck on the Taco Bell Salsa packets and it opened our sinuses, so I stopped and got some. Didn't work. In fact, I couldn't even taste the food! I could tell the size and texture of what was in the 7-layer burrito, but could not even sense a delicious taste. It could have been rotten, for all I know! Or, they could have messed up and put meat inside and then wiped it out and I wouldn't have even known! So, no more Taco Bell when I'm sick and I can't taste anything.
I went home and took one of each cold medicines that I had and was in the holiday mood, so I decided that I would make my house smell like Christmas! So, I got a couple cinnamon sticks and placed them in a pot of water and turned the burner on high so it would smell good in my apartment and add to the mood...
I'm not sure how long it was later, that I heard this rumbling sound in the kitchen, so I went to investigate the noise and remembered that I had put cinnamon and water on the stove for holiday scents... WOW! THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD!!! I didn't smell it and totally forgot because I wasn't in the kitchen! So, I turned off the burner.
I kept forgetting that I couldn't taste or smell anything!
How annoying!
I even went to make a sandwich for dinner and was picking on the cheese, but what a waste! I couldn't even taste the cheese! Much less the sandwich or the small chocolate chips I tossed in my mouth as I was looking for something to eat! So much for eating! I just wasted perfectly good food!
I then felt like taking a bubble bath and couldn't smell the soap or the shampoo, so I had to keep scrubbing and double washing my hair, just in case, you know!
What a day! I couldn't taste or smell anything and kept forgetting. I really take those things for granted! Today, I'm still sick, but I was able to taste the cough drop I took this morning. Who knows? Maybe, I'm on my way of recovery!

Tooth time

Is the tooth fairy real, if there's no parent around?
Well, I'm not quite sure how to answer this question, but my baby kitty, Rocco lost a tooth two nights ago...
I don't think cats are supposed to lose teeth. Do you?
Either way, I was laying on my bed, watching TV and looked over at baby kitty curled up sleeping on his side of the bed, and I saw something little on the bed...
Previously, I had broken a glass bowl in the kitchen and he was playing with the pieces until I could get them all, so I thought that he had brought glass into the bed, but with a closer inspection, I noticed it was a tooth!
I wonder if I took my cat over to Rachael and Derrick's place and put it under a pillow, if they'd buy my cat something special! Ya think?
I then started to pry open little baby's mouth and noticed that he lost his bottom pointy tooth! Nothing was bleeding (thank goodness!) and he wasn't acting weird, so my first thought was, "well, at least it won't hurt when he bites me!"
Unfortunately, he must have heard my internal thoughts and started biting my hands...
Well, it still hurts.
Now, as long as nothing major is wrong with my cat... is there any way to get the rest of those teeth to just fall out?
Ha-Ha!

Natalie's pottery creations

Every time Natalie comes over for the weekend, you know she's going to bring pottery for us to paint... Here's a few of her master-pieces! I love the detail! Even the cute beads on the bottom of the tree are so adorable!
This is one of my favorites... hopefully, she'll make me one! (Hint, hint, not-so-subtle-hint!)
Oh, and Nat, I need one of these REALLY BAD! It's so cute!
And this would go perfect with candy that I have at home, or cookies I could make, or just for looks in my kitchen, you know?

Anthony Russell: Day 5 (Tuesday)

Little Angel: Anthony

I went over to Lori's on Tuesday and made dinner... and enjoyed more time with baby Anthony. Here he is, in Auntie Rachael's arms, just snoozin'!

Isn't he so sweet??? Mommy, Lori, and Auntie Rachael were playing dress-up... here he is in another outfit (the same night!)

I think we should all ask Lori, just how many times she changes his outfit everyday!

More baby pics!

One of my favorite pictures of Lori and Anthony...
(So far!)

Auntie Nay-nay with baby Anthony!Anthony in the hand-made blanket grandma Cece made!
Me, Auntie Francie, holding baby Anthony after a few minutes...
What a little cutie! Yup, I got the cutest gift for the baby, ever! ND Booties!
My all-time favorite picture of Anthony Russell! What a miracle!

Just a few pictures...

Lori, ready for the new baby! Anthony Russel
Cute little toes!
The proud parents!

Labor day

I didn't have to work today, which turned out good, because Lori told me that she was going to be induced today...
I decided to be here as much as possible and be here as supportive as possible. The first visit went well. Not much action. The doctor came in and gave her an epidural, then another doctor came in and broke her water. I, of course, left the room both times, although Lori told me to go anyway. I don't know how she expects me to be here when the baby comes, if I have to leave the room when other things happen! I've got to get used to this stuff soon!
Also, I realized that with all the pain Lori will be going through, I don't think I'll have any kids...
Well, that's the decision for now.
The second time I came over and Rachael answered the door and told me that Lori was in a lot of pain and they had to get a second epidural, so I waited outside the door for about 30 minutes, then got impatient and went to the waiting room. After another 15-20 minutes I called Rachael and she told me that she'd meet me down there.
At that time, I realized that Lori really was in a lot of pain... so, while I was a bit irritated about waiting 45 minutes after finding a terrible parking spot and then making my way all the way to the room and then having to do it all over again... but Rachael told me she'd call me when things cooled off.
This is now my third time here at the hospital and I brought some really cute Notre Dame baby booties and some candy to suck on (because Lori can't eat anything). And now, things are a lot better. She hasn't progressed much in the baby pushing plan, but at least there's no pain, now.
More later and believe me, I'll be taking a ton of pictures!

No baby, yet

I've been stressing out on this whole baby thing. What if Lori has the baby and I'm at work? Or far away, shopping for Christmas presents, and can't get there in time?
Well, as of 2:49 p.m. today, no baby.
I have a Karaoke contest tonight and almost don't want to go, just in case, you know? But she assured me that she didn't know when he'd be coming out and that she had dinner plans, so hopefully there won't be a special something-something!
Also, the weather is supposed to be cold, snowy, and really icy tonight, which really worries me! So, I officially don't want the baby to come today, maybe he could wait at least until tomorrow, right?

Christmas on the way

I have been shopping, but it hasn't quite felt like Christmas until last night when Jason and I finally put up the decorations and the tree!
I love it!
With a bit of Christmas music and Chinese food, we got all the decorations out and set up the tree with almost all my ornaments, including my favorite snowman ornaments (they're so cute!) I had forgotten just how adorable my stuff was! I also have decorations that just go around the house and Jason was in charge of that part.
I had apparently wrapped my Bear Figurines with the Christmas stuff, because when I was done with perfecting the tree, Jason had all the little bears out on my shelves!
While I thought I'd put them away, he said that I should leave them out instead of keeping them in a box.
Either way, the apartment is decked out and adorable!
The only problem is Little Baby Rocco. Apparently, cats love playing in trees, scratching trees, and love playing with things that jingle and hang (i.e. Christmas tree ornaments!) Who knew???
So, we'll see how long it lasts.
So far, so good. The tree was still standing this morning!
I'll add pictures next time I steal Jason's camera!

Just one minute!

I usually wake up at 7 a.m. and get ready for work at 8 a.m. but yesterday my boss told me that I had to work 9 to 6 p.m. so this morning I decided that I didn't want to work 9 hours today, so I attempted to sleep in, but woke up around 7:30 a.m. and not wanting to actually get ready yet, I sat on the couch and crocheted a blanket and watched an episode of Monk, (I bought the 4th season on Black Friday, a little early Christmas present for myself, among many others...).
Around 8 a.m. I noticed that my phone was ringing and I had a message!
That's weird, but then I suddenly thought of Lori and ran to my phone...
I hate listening to phone messages because they usually say something like, "hey, it's so and so, please call me back!" Either way, I didn't listen to it, but called Rachael back, wondering what's going on.
My first question was, "is Lori in labor?"
"No!"
Then Rachael proceeded to tell me that just out of the blue, Ben had asked her if he could call me and talk to me!
So random, yet so cute!!!
So, Ben got on the phone and started telling me, in the cutest little voice, about how he was feeding the cat and the dogs, but that he wasn't giving them their food, but a snack, and then he also gave one to the bunny and that they really liked it, but that he had 'just one minute' to talk, so he said goodbye and that he'd talk to me later!
Then he got off the phone, and Rachael got back on and told me that he just wanted to chat with me and that was all!
What a cute little Ben!

Scarf time!

I've been addicted to making scarves lately and decided to try something new, tonight, so I bought a bunch of yarn and had Lori help me make these scarves for presents!
They only took about 10 minutes or less each and it was easy!!!
Here's mommy Lor-lor with the pink one... Here's Mom with her favorite one, the purple one, which she conveniently kept telling me how cute it is and how much it matches her shirt and how soft it is, and... well, she wants this one!
And here's the last one, the blue one, with Kristen, the next top model!

Time to visit

Mom has been here for a couple of days and likes it when we hang out with her, which is really convenient when there's food involved... no grocery shopping for me and no baking either! SWEET!

I came over for lunch today and had a yummy meal of potato soup and home-made bread, stuffed to the puff, and now I'm enjoying a yummy plate full of waffles, home-made peach topping, and whipped cream. Oh, and a glass of milk!

I think Lori was right when she said that we'll all gain 50 pounds while mom is in town, hopefully it won't be me! I mean, at least Lori would have an excuse for gaining weight, right? Ha-ha!!!

I've added a few pictures of the kids enjoying the yummy delicious food that grandma Cece made! I ate some too... and it was good!

Now, I'll help get the kids to bed and then watch Survivor!

Got freckles?

Hanging out with the kids today, I started watching this really interesting movie with Ben... one strictly on trucks and monster trucks. REALLY interesting!
Anyway, I looked at Ben and asked him why he was so cute, and he told me because he had freckles! Then went on to say that if he didn't have freckles, he wouldn't be cute!
So funny!
Then he told me that I was cute because I had freckles...
What a sweetheart!

Pictures from Lori's baby shower

Just a few pictures I took from Lori's first baby shower...
One of the cutest outfits... Go Irish!


Natalie made the baby this home-made Sock Monkey! And it was so cute!!!

"I like trucks and dirt"

Halloween 2007

Jason and I went Trick or Treating with the kids last year and were planning on it this year too, but Jason was supposed to get off work at 7 p.m. which means the fun would be almost over! So, he was able to get off work early and me too, so we headed over to join the fun/party at Rachael's house!
Remember when Mom told us that when we get someone a gift, we should get them something we want just in case they don't like it? Well, I got Jason a camera for his b-day and while he loves it, I love the fact that I get to use it too!
I had a lot of fun tonight and was glad to capture the kids and all their glory! I even got their dogs costumes! (Much to Derrick's dismay... sorry!)
But they were all so cute! I made sure I got a picture with all the kids...
I think we pictured Kristen out as a child, but not too recently, she loves it and I'm able to get more with her now! (I love it too, of course!)
Katie is also learning to like the camera, what a cute little kitty she was tonight! I even reminded her how to role her R's in Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Ben's learning how to keep looking at the camera until the picture is taken, but hasn't quite grasped the concept, yet.
And Jack had the perfect costume which came with the perfect scary picture!
I tried to con all the kids into letting me hold their candy bags for them (a trick learned from Mom) although they didn't fall for it. Ben said that Jason could hold his though!
I was successful in tricking them to give me candy, though... "Hey, any of you guys got some REALLY good candy that I can have???" And of course, they all wanted to give me the best kind. So, I told them that I loved Kit-Kat's and they were all trying to dig in their little bags to find one for me... ha-ha!
They get the treats, I get the tricks, and we all win!

Jason told me that I had to give him credit for this picture, so there you go...
I got this costume for Carl so he and Ben would be 'workers' together! I think Ben really liked it!

Calvin, the Pirate dog! Poor thing!



No, they're not in costume... but Lori and Todd are cute! Huh?

What are you going to be for Halloween?

I've asked this question so many times in the last few weeks... I still haven't heard of anything super cool, yet.
I wanted to be something really original. Like the year someone dressed like a finger in a Chili bowl, soon after the whole public story came out. Now, THAT was clever!
So, I was thinking of things like "Bald Brittney". Dressing like chunky Brittany Spears and then wearing a bald cap on my head, you all know that story!
Or, dressing like Paris Hilton in prison garb, but realized that unless I lost 500 pounds, I would never pass as Paris. The closest I could get would be to wear her perfume!
So, I've decided to settle. But I still think it'll be cute!
I'm going to be a Gypsy!
Remember when Mom told us that Gypsy story as kids? Something about fingers getting cut off or something like that?
No, I'm not going to be THAT kind. Don't worry!
But, I did find a cute costume that could pass as a Gypsy or a Pirate Siren and it had long sleeves! Just my luck! (please read "Stop Itching" below to understand the exciting moment of finding a long-sleeved outfit to wear!
Again, I'll have to take pictures and post it.

Movie break

Last Sunday I was bored and Jason was watching the Bears game, so I decided to go shopping... unable to find anything to buy, I decided to go watch a movie by myself.
Unfortunately, I was a bit tired, and unfortunately, I watched a movie that wasn't all that stimulating.
Michael something (I can't remember the last name of the title of the movie) but either way, it had George Clooney in it and I thought it'd be good, but it was like the first 3/4 of the movie was preliminary stuff and then the last part actually got good and interesting.
I don't recommend it.
I would have walked out, but then I paid $5 to watch it and just couldn't feel right about having an opinion of a movie without actually watching the entire thing!
Now, not too long ago, Rachael, Derrick, Lori, Todd, Natalie, and I all went to watch Gone, Baby, Gone.
It was pretty good! A story about a kidnapped child (oh, so cute!) and this guy who was hired by the family to find her...
A lot of heart, fear, drama, and a few tears later, I felt like it was good. It made me think of a few decisions that the main character had to make and couldn't quite figure out what I'd do in the same situation.
Luckily, I most likely won't ever be in that position, but it's amazing how one can possibly be a decision-maker to such a crucial situation...
You'll have to watch it. Then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Craft time

It seems like the whole family is getting into this mood... like we all have to make something all of a sudden.
I got the idea to make a purse not too long ago, with some kind of circle thing... but I got A.D.D. on it and it's now in a drawer.
But today, I've decided to crochet a blanket! I got some really cute yarn and am ready to do it. The only problem is getting started and actually finishing it, you know?
But I think I'm ready to do it. I'm planning on giving it away for a present, although that will suck because I know I'll want to keep it for myself, so I'll have to try it out first and then pick out some perfect colors for my house...
I'll try and take some pictures and post it for you all to see.

Stop Scratching!

Almost three and a half weeks ago, I started scratching my arm... didn't realize it would last this long and continue to my entire body.
I don't know what it is, but it sucks! I have to wear long sleeves and high cut neck lines and it's not always cold outside, or at work, and it sucks!
I've spoken with a few doctors on the issue and have yet to hear what the problem is... I've tried (and beware, there's going to be some misspelling's here...) Benedryl, Clariton, Hydrocortozone cream, and Pregnozone. I haven't changed anything major. No new soap, lotion, food, laundry soup, dryer sheets, shampoo, etc.
I don't know what it is but I have a feeling I may be allergic to something. My friend, Betsy, is allergic to peppers. Black pepper, bell peppers, hot peppers, etc. Every time she eats one, she gets itchy, then bumps like I have, although it doesn't last 3.5 weeks! Her tongue also gets tingly, but mine hasn't been like that so I don't think it's something I'm eating. At least I hope not, because I have a secret feeling that it could be tomatoes or wheat. That would totally suck!
I went to my new family doctor today (sorry, Rach, apparently I can't count you because you're actually in my family!).
Either way, my new doctor prescribed a few things and then said she'd meet with me again in a few weeks, which is actually in about four weeks, which sucks, because if this is still going on, I'm going to scratch my skin off! She also mentioned something about having blood work done and checking something that has to do with my liver and/or thyroid.
Speaking of my new doctor... she sprang this on me. "Let's go ahead and do a Pap today!" What? Are you kidding me? I've never done THAT with anyone but a Gyno! But, no, she wasn't kidding... let me tell you this, I do NOT miss that!
Other than the whole Pap experience, I think I'll like this doctor and hopefully she'll figure out what the heck is wrong with me!

Let's give 'em something to blog about...

Most of you already know this already, but I thought I should post the story, for those that don't...
I was in a karaoke contest this last Saturday night, and I sang Delicious Surprise from JoDee Messina.
Lori helped me figure out a few moves on Friday and I practiced singing, so I was ready to go!
My friend, Missy, also made it to the contest, so she was in the line up, right after me.
I was so nervous right before I sang, but then when I got up there, I made direct eye contact with the judges (thanks to all those speech classes!) and I worked the audience and sang like never before...
My friend also sang a really good song and placed 10th.
Mind you, we were 27 of a few hundred people and only the top 10 won something! She won $150.00!!!
My friends told me that I'd definitely make it, so I thought they were just being nice, you know how friends are, they tell you what you want to hear...
Well, the host went on to tell us who won...
Missy was 10th place
Veronica was 9th...
and so on and so forth...
Then came 6th place. Not me.
Then 5th place. Not me. Again. Missy's husband Jimmy had started a chant by this time of "Francie, Francie, Francie" which was totally embarrassing because I thought I had a chance but not a high chance of making anything above number 5!
Well, finally came 3rd place, and I looked at Jason, and told him that it was okay, I'll try again next year...
Then the host called my name for 2nd place!
I WON $1,000.00! IN CASH! THAT'S 10 $100.00 BILLS! HOLY COW!!!!!!
I held out my hands and tried to keep count, but looked up, laughing/crying at Rick, the host, and told him I lost count!
Then everyone came over and gave me hugs and I was so in shock!
Wow!
The 1st place winner sang awesome and made $1,200.
I guess my friends weren't lying after all!
A few other contestants told me that I deserved every penny of it, so that made me feel really good and I'm just so happy!
Jason, Betsy and Steve, and Jason's mom and two aunt's were all there as well as all Missy's family and they were all so excited!
I just wanted to place, to cover the expenses of the $20 CD and the $20 sweater I bought for the occasion...
Didn't think I'd make it so high, but I'm super happy about it!
I'm really happy that me and Missy placed! That was the best part, I think.
Hopefully, my family may be able to come to one of the contests, one of these days. That would be cool!
Either way, just wanted to share with you all!

Potty time

So, I got home from work and had to go potty... you know, one of those things everyone does. Well, when I was done, I stood up to pull up my pants, but noticed my baby kitty, Rocco, in the corner of my eye...
He went to jump on the toilet seat to hang out. Unfortunately, for him, the lid was not down, and the toilet hadn't been flushed yet!
I turned around and grabbed him by the back of the neck, while he was splashing around and freaking out, attempting to get out and run around my entire apartment! I don't think so!
I figured I better throw him into the shower quick, while I still have a hold of him. Poor thing.
He kept trying to jump out or up on the shower curtain, but sliding back down into the tub.
Either way, he now smells like lavender and looks super clean and fluffy!
I had to call Natalie right away, because I was laughing so hard, and figured I'd get a few good laughs out of her, and she asked if I got a picture. No. I didn't get a picture! Sorry, guys.
But I had to share, you know?

Excuses...

So, I could make excuses for not writing, but then I don't have to.
I have, however, read three amazing books in the last two weeks!
Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons, and Deception Point (my favorite) all by Dan Brown, the author of The Divinci Code (which I haven't read yet because the movie's stuck in my head, but I do have the book, so it'll be soon!)
Let me tell you, Deception Point is the best book I've ever read. I don't think that I've been so excited to read a book before. I would read until I slept. Wake up early to read more before work and couldn't wait to get home for lunch, or off work for the day to read that book. And, it was informational! Something like... there are polar bears in the arctics but in Antarctica there aren't (anti polar bears!) You know, one of those tidbits you'll use some random day!
I also had some fun with Natalie this past weekend, she stayed with me and we decided to knit some purses and get really cute fabric for the inside... well, it didn't quite work out the way we thought it would, but it has potential!
I decided to make a scarf, which should be pretty cute, when I'm done, but it's a long process.
I also have the karaoke finals this Saturday night. I'm thinking of singing either Delicious Surprise, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, or Because of You. Not sure yet, but will be forced to decide soon.
I'm also getting my hair cut tonight! I'm excited, too!!! I feel like I've had a very bad hair depression lately, so hopefully this will work. Again, not too sure how short or what style, but will have to decided soon.
Either way, just wanted to update y'all!

Baking girl and helper man

In the mood to bake something, I decided it would be best to go to Rachael's house and get one of the kids to help me... I had just finished making a bag of lentils at my house and figured I would either freeze half of it or bring it over to Rachael's for her family, which is why I also decided to go over there.
I was previously working on organizing my recipes and came across a "Creamy Pumpkin Pie" recipe that looked 10 times better than the usual pumpkin pie I was going to make (especially after a really bad experience with pumpkins one Thanksgiving at Lori's house, a little too many pumpkin pies, pumpkin cheesecakes, and pumpkin something else, about 5 years or so ago) but this other recipe looked really good!
Ben was my helper man today. He helped me make two Creamy Pumpkin Pie, one for Rachael and the family, and the other for me and Jason and his dad, Ron. I haven't tried it yet, but I did lick the spoon, when we were done, and it was pretty darn yummy!!!*
Meanwhile, Rachael, Ben, Jack, and Katie finished off the lentils I made. So much for them eating it for dinner, right?
Oh, and I also got Katie to eat carrots, she said she didn't like them (they were in the lentils stew) so I told her that they were good for the eyes and that I ate them as a child and now my eyes are 20/20! (Okay, so maybe a + b won't always equal c, but at least I got her to eat it, right?)
Oh, and me and helper man also made bread... I used Rachael's mini loaves and they are so cute!
* Oh, and here's the recipe for the yummy:
Creamy Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cold milk
1 pkg (6-serving) vanilla flavor instant pudding and pie filling
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 1/2 cups cool whip (thawed)
1 graham cracker crust

Directions:
In large bowl beat milk, pudding mix and spice with wire whisk for 1 minute. (Mixture will be very thick.) Whisk in pumpkin. Stir in whipped topping. Spread in crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.
Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator.
(I'll probably use cool whip/whipped cream and a tiny bit of caramel or something for the top!)

Wild times with "Anything man" and friends...

Yesterday I headed to Rachael's house to pick up a few things so I could make apple pie* and had quite an eventful 20 minutes!
I walk into the kitchen and three kids were eating at the table, so I started talking to them, and Katie asked me what her favorite color was and I told her it was blue (um, I'm the auntie and who doesn't know that???), then realized that Ben was in the kitchen, sitting on the counter top, all grumpy-like... So, being the auntie, I went over to him to see if I could cheer him up, I figured that Rachael had just left the room and he was there waiting for her to come back. So, I went over and gave him a hug, but it didn't work. Still grumpy-like. Then I looked at him and asked if he needed one of my signature "squishy hugs". And he did! So, while I was trying to squeeze him into my arms, Katie and Jack were running up to me and talking but I didn't hear what they were saying until Jack started crying and ran to Derrick. Of course I felt bad. I thought Jack wanted a squishy hug and that I was ignoring him...
I went over to tell Jack that I'd give him a squishy hug, when Kristen started telling me that he was trying to ask me what I thought his favorite color was (which of course I knew it was red, because that's mine!) but at the same time, Katie was running over to tell me that Jack's favorite color was red!
So, while I was trying to tell Jack that I didn't hear what color they had told me, Katie told me, again... (oh, man, now he's crying even more!).
So, I picked him up and said, "Jack. Clearly we all know what your favorite color is. I already knew because I'm your auntie and red is my favorite color too!" Which relieved him just a tad. "But there's a very important question that goes along with your favorite color that I need to ask you!" Then I proceeded to grab as many different reddish colored items on the cabinet, i.e. ketchup bottle, bottle of strawberry jam, a tomato, and a red pepper. "Now, Jack, I need to know which kind of red you like the best!" He pointed to the strawberry jam bottle and then we all (me, Jack, Ben, and Kristen. Katie wasn't in the room at the time.) had a wild 5 minutes looking into the refrigerator and pantry for as many red colored items we could find!
I finally got a few minutes to grab a few items I needed, so in the mean time, I conned Jack and Ben to hook me up with a biscuit with butter and jam on it. Ben, of course, instantly became "Jelly Man" and "Helper Man" and I was trying to teach Jack how to spread the butter all over the piece...
I tried getting out of there quick because Jack wanted to come home with me and help me cook dinner for Jason, but then I knew I'd have to bring him back and figured it'd just be easier later, so I made a date with him this weekend to do something... I don't know, maybe make brownies or something at Rachael's.
Either way, it all happened in about 20 minutes or less and was a pretty wild time with little "squishy man" and friends!
Until next time...
*(Oh, and by the way, I never did make apple pie!)

Lentils and Spaghetti Squash?

Last week, in an effort to eat random pantry items, I found myself making a bag of lentils... I remember eating them as a kid and they were pretty good, and I love all the flavors I add to it, like carrots, tomatoes, Ketchup, mustard, onions, salt and pepper, etc.
The funny thing is, most anybody, besides my family, has heard about them!
When I told Jason what I ate for lunch he asked, "What is it?" As if it were from another planet or some nasty gross tofu type meal.
The same thing goes for Spaghetti Squash. I bought two of them on Monday but couldn't remember how to make them. So, I called my mom, no answer, I called Lori, no answer, I called Natalie, no answer, then I called Rachael (who I thought was my sister, but realized that I had saved my friend Rachael's number under "Rachael's" name) and she answered.
"Hey, do you or your mom know how to make spaghetti squash?" "Um... my mom does, let me ask her..." when she came back on the line she started telling me how to make spaghetti, the pasta! "No, I mean the SQUASH!" "Oh, no, I don't even know what that is!" she said.
I finally called my sister, Rachael, and found out how and made it and it was so yummy!
How can people be missing out on these two items that are really inexpensive (lentils = $.98 per bag and the squash was only $.33/lb at about 3 lb's max!)
Either way, I feel like I grew up on a farm, and no one can relate, but all it takes is a good recipe and "hey, wanna try a bite?" to get them to like it, right?

Creative cooking

I have recently been really creative with my cooking, still attempting to make whatever is in my cabinets, but once I was out of all the staples, i.e. milk, eggs, bread, and potatoes, I decided that I should break down and go grocery shopping.
It was pretty fun, although I feel like it takes so much time out of my day to go to the store, buy all the stuff and then haul it all into my apartment...
It was a lot more fun than I thought it'd be, I got stuff for home-made egg rolls (yummy) and made those last night (only about $6 for 20 or so!). I also got potatoes for baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and baked potato soup...
I also broke down and got vege-meat, which is expensive in a regular grocery store, but I was craving some.
Oh, and I'm also going to try the new Dannon Activia Yogurt challenge (but the yogurt is not that tasty, but we'll see if it works!)
I guess that's it, but at least I got groceries that work with the left over stuff in my cabinets!
Oh, and I've got to get my apple slicer from Rachael, so I can make apple pie tonight!

My new baby

I was so proud of baby kitty this morning... he went potty in the litter box for the first time! Wow! He seems all grown up now!
Oh, he's so cute, too. I came home for lunch and couldn't find him in my room, but then I noticed a little lump under the covers, in the middle of my King size bed and when I fluffed up the blankets, little baby was under there, just snoozing away.
What a little cutie!
Hey, I think Jason will name in Rocco or Bobo... he's coming over today to make the final decision.
I'll keep you all posted!

My new baby cat

Just a few pictures of my new kittie cat... I picked it out so Jason get's to name it, although I get veto power, you know...
He's super cute and fluffy and chubby and lazy and I love him!

Cute Kristen

After I took those pictures, Kristen actually asked I would take some pictures of her! She's usually not into it, so I was really excited... so, here you go!