Tagged

Lori and Natalie have tagged me...
So, here's 6 quirky things about myself
1) Don't twirl your hair with you hand in a circular motion over and over and over and over. Even if you're not in front of me, my peripheral vision can see you.
2) Don't leave a voice mail message unless you don't expect me to listen to it for a while. It usually takes me 5 to 10 or more messages on my phone until I actually listen to them all.
3) I love taking pictures and I think I'm good at it, so if you want me to take pictures for you, you better make sure I get copies!
4) I have a bad case of road rage. A lot! So, even if you're driving and I'm the passenger, I can still get irritated by other annoying drivers (or you!)
5) I try to be on time, and it annoys me when someone makes plans for something and they are late more than 5 to 10 minutes or make me wait for a long time. I know I've done that before, but I try to compensate by driving really fast.
6) I hate moving, but I've moved more times in my life than I am old.

Okay, so apparently I have to pick 6 people to tag. Shannon, Mom, Julie, and whoever else wants to!

I've been weighting for this!

Just so you all know... I have lost 20 pounds! I have much more to go, but I am feeling good and my clothes are feeling loose!

Habitat for Humanity

One of the things I was so excited about, with my new job, was to volunteer at some of the events that Whirlpool hosts... including Harbor Habitat for Humanity where volunteers get together and help build houses for people that otherwise wouldn't be able to have a house to their name.
About three or four weeks ago, I signed up to help partially build a house, today, and I've been so excited about it. Now, I know it was just as I expected. Fun. Exercise. And Sun! (Okay, so I did get kinda burnt, but I think I'll be okay).
Betsy and I got to the site around 8 a.m. and worked until 3 p.m.There were a a bunch of volunteers there, which made for a great group and a lot of helping hands.Here, you see us all gathered to begin. One gentleman read a short clip about a sculptor who knew that excellence is something to strive for. Basically, even if we do something and we have to tear it out and redo it, it's okay, we just want to make it right. (Most of us didn't have this kind of experience.)The house to the right is the one that we worked on. We had to finish the roof. No, we didn't have crane, so we had to get each of those small sections, there laying on top of each other on the ground, by that sign, up on the roof and put them where they needed to go.This was written at the threshold of the front door.
Here you can see how we started the house in the morning.Here's a group of us, getting the beam ready to lift up on the roof. (Actually, this picture was posed so Natalie could take a picture of us working!)Once we got the beams over the side of the house, we'd lay them across and this pointy part would just sink in the middle. Then we'd get everyone ready and lift up the pointy part and slide the beam from one side of the house to the other and into the slots.
The first one took about 45 minutes, but then we were able to figure out what was going on and where to go and got into a pretty good rhythm.
This shows our finished product (for now).

Then we had to measure every two feet on these 2x4's and hammer in these huge nails (16's) then hammer those onto the top of the beams to steady everything.Another inspirational moment: In all thou ways, acknowledge God, he shall direct your path.
Here we are, done for the day.

I guess I never realized before that the roof of a house is included as the foundation of the house. I had so much fun, met lots of people, got a great workout, and was able to help someone that I don't even know have a house of their own.

Anthony's Baby Dedication

Tonight, the family got together for Anthony's Dedication and some really yummy food! Aunt Kate, Uncle DeMonte, and my Mom.
Anthony and his favorite Auntie.
Todd and Anthony.
There was a better picture, but I took it on Lori's camera...
Grandpa Bob, Anthony, Lori, and Todd.

Ben in Sabbath School

I went with Ben, today, in his Sabbath School because they were celebrating his birthday... Here he is with the crown on his head. The right way. And here he is with the crown on. Ben's way.
They sang his birthday song with a fake cake (which is good because there are a lot of kids that spit while blowing out their candles in this class!)

Anthony today

Here's cute pictures of Anthony in that adorable giggly attitude.

Such a cute smile!
Whatcha doin' Tony?
He's now looking at me like "when are you going to stop, Auntie Fray-Fray!"
Almost done...Here's grandma and Anthony. She was holding Anthony while I was taking pictures. One of the fun things we've done today.

The Cubbies Game

On Thursday, Jason took me to my first Cubs game! Here's a statue outside Wrigley field. I think he's the former Cubs radio announcer.I'm in my new Cubs hat and Jason is wearing his Fukudome shirt. We're happy and excited about the game (the night before, the Cubs beat the Brewers 19 to 3 or something like that).
The pitcher, Z-something, #38, hit a home run right after Jason left to go to the bathroom... it was really exciting and the whole stadium was on their feet. Jason missed the whole thing!

Here's another really cute picture.
I'm not sure what this thing was, but it's inside the stadium and I thought I should take a picture of it. I'm sure Jason will fill me in.Unfortunately, they lost. They had been ahead 3 to 1 until the 9th inning and it was really sad. But I'm glad I went and hope that we can go another one this year!

Pictures from the women's retreat

As the Saturday evening began to speak, a lady started drawing this picture with chalk. When she was done, she turned off the lights and turned on a black light which lit up the sun streaks and the shadow of the crosses. It was incredible! Natalie, Sarah, and I went for a walk around the lake. Here's Natalie crossing the bridge.
This is the trail we walked on around the lake. We thought it would be a rough trail, not some man-made walk, but it was pretty cool!
I can't remember which one, but Natalie or Sarah thought that beavers had put this dam together... but they'd have to be some pretty amazing creatures to line up these logs so perfectly!Here's Sarah, Julie, and Natalie. I was sitting with the grandma on the other side. We all had a really good time and great experience and I'm glad that Julie asked me to help.
When's the next one, Julie?

She's so sad :(

I brought Jojo home today and she's just so sad looking!
When I picked her up, the receptionist told me that she's been crying and hissing and growling ever since I dropped her off this morning at 7:30. Once I picked her up in her carrier and said, "Jojo" she started meowing sweet to me.

She's so sore and sad and tired that she's just sitting somewhere and staying in one place, not wanting to move.
Here she is sitting about an inch away from the back of the couch. She was just looking at the fabric until I called her name so she'd look at me. Here's another view of her just sitting down. Doesn't this just make you so sad???
She's so cute, but now that her belly is shaved, she looks even skinnier than before. Here she is with her new nail job.

Jojo's getting fixed...

Don't tell Kristen, but Jojo's getting fixed and getting those plastic claws on tomorrow. She just cries and cries and then Rocco wants to play with her and then she gets mad and scared. So, hopefully this will help and I hope this also helps her gain some weight. It seems like ever since she had worms, she's been skinny.
I'll have to fill you all in later on how it goes.
I'm also getting those plastic claws put on Rocco on Wednesday, so hopefully I can be scratch-less for a while!