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!