Wedding Gifts

My family already has two weddings in the making for next summer and to top it all off they are exactly two weeks apart. Trying to find the perfect Wedding Gifts for my cousins should be quite easy. Checking into gold or silver bullion is where I am going to start.

As for Courtney and Meridith planning their weddings, I wonder if they know about this wedding website that I have found called WeddingChannel.com. This website has been around since 1997, helping brides and grooms plan for their very special day. WeddingChannel.com is there to help make wedding plans as stress-free as possible. They offer free interactive planning tools, local vendor guides, patented online registry, and many other wonderful options. Visit them today to get you on the right path when planning your wedding.

Christian Band

Our church service yesterday was dedicated to the christian band, Higher Power. I had never heard of Higher Power or their music before yesterday. I am really glad that they were able to come and perform for our congregation. They are a quartet and were very fun to listen to. Cole and I enjoyed their music so much we decided to purchase their Christmas CD. We listened to it right when we got home and we all were singing along. I think music is a great way to help spread Gods word.

Blackhawk CQC Holsters

I have to honestly say when it comes to any type of gun I am very unfamiliar, even though there are plenty of them around my home. When it comes to handguns, I typically think of the people that have chosen to protect us from the "bad guys", so when I heard about the Blackhawk CQC Holsters I found it really neat. Recently I came across a website that explained how this particular holster worked and I found it very interesting. The design is different from traditional thumb break holsters, which causes slower draws and makes for harder re-holstering. The Blackhawk CQC Holster allows for you to draw your weapon using a normal drawing motion, allowing your trigger finger to be beside the holster body. This is done by their patented SERPA Lock. If this sounds as interesting to you as it did to me, then visit LA Police Gear to get more information.

Vacation Day

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 was suppose to be a day at home for me. I had this day planned for about three weeks and it couldn't get here fast enough. I was going to spend the day doing what I wanted, just me, myself, and I. However, Monday blew in some bad news for me. It started off in the afternoon with a call from the school letting me know they were getting out early because of the bad snow storm that was moving in. Of course with Iowa weather nothing is ever as simple as just snow, we had to get some ice first, then snow along with some very strong winds. This almost always means no school the next day. Yep, that's right, Mom didn't get her day home alone, I was stranded there with my four beautiful children and husband.... some day, whenever that my be, I will get a day to myself:)

Designer Costume Jewelry

Holsted Jewelers, which has been around since 1971, is out to achieve the WOW factor every time one of their boxes of jewelry is opened. Not matter what the budget there is truly something for everyone. Their designers have worked hard to put together the best designs for every occasion. Whether you want your designer costume jewelry to be for special nights out or simply to wear everyday, Holsted Jewelers is out to make you one of their satisfied customers. You can rest assured that what you find at Holsted Jewelers has been inspected twice and created by the highest standard. Visit their website today so you can experience the WOW factor.

The Weather Outside . . .

is frightful, to quote the famous song. It is so very cold outside and Winter has only just begun. It seems that our furnace has run nonstop for the past couple days. If I heard the weatherman right last night I believe our temperatures will be below zero today, that is when you add in the wind chill. I hate to wish time to go by so fast, however I do have to say I am already awaiting Spring.

It did snow some last night, which means Becca just had to go outside this morning. It didn't seem to matter that I told her it was to cold to go out, she still insisted. I think it took her longer to put on her snow pants, boots, coat, mittens, and hat, versus the amount of time she actually stayed outside for. I guess I remember doing the same thing as a kid also. All the excitement to go play in the snow, only to find out it is way to cold.

Nikon Ultimate Package

Next weekend, Saturday, December 6, is opening shotgun season for deer in Iowa. John and Cole can hardly wait to get out there and get that big buck they have been tracking all fall. Not only has John watching for this large buck, so are his buddies Chuck and Dale, they all think he will look so nice up on the wall next to the deer that was shot last year. I think the perfect accessory for this big weekend would have to be Nikon Ultimate Hunter's Package Promo. This package includes ProStaff 3-9x40 Riflescope with BDC Reticle, Prostaff Laser Rangefinder, Silent Technology Rangefinder Case, Mastering a Long-Range Shot with BDC DVD, and a $50 Nikon gift card. This awesome package deal saves you and your favorite hunter around $144.90. Nikon is also offer great gift card promotions. Visit them today and find the perfect gift for your favorite hunter or hunters.

Sometimes I Wonder. . .

what Alli is thinking when she give me her goofy little smile or when she looks at me with a scowl and rolls her eyes at me. Alli is my 11 year old daughter, who is Autistic. She is non-verbal and can sometimes get frustrated when we don't figure out what she wants fast enough. At times when I watch Alli and she is watching all of us, I wonder what it is she is thinking? Is she glad she got us for her family or does she think we are all just a bunch of goof balls. Does she know exactly what she wants to say, but just can't connect the wires to get the message out? I know how much she loves us by all the hugs and kisses we receive and I'm sure she knows how much we love her. I just sometimes wonder where her mind is and what she is thinking.

Turbocharger

My son Cole has been cruising the internet looking for his dream car. He will be old enough to drive in just a few short months. Like any other boy the faster the car the better, not to mention all of the cool accessories that are a "must" with any really fast car. One website that I have found that offers great things to upgrade your cars with options such as vw turbo, superchargers, turbochargers, and nose covers is at turbochargerpros.com. Adding a turbocharger, which improve horsepower, torque, and more, is simply done by forcing air into the system. Turbochargerpros.com is the best place to go when looking for air induction systems, not only for the great prices you will receive, but they also offer a wide selection. When looking to add a turbo to you car I recommend visiting turbochargerpros.com.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Today we had our second Thanksgiving dinner in just as many days. Tonight I feel so very full and can't quite imagine when I would ever want to eat again. Why is it on holidays all we do is eat, eat, and eat even more. Everyone I talk they all say the same thing, even if they're full and can't possible eat another bite, we all still find room to over indulge. All the food we had was very, very good and the company in which my family and I shared our meal with was even better.

Memphis Shades

John and I have quite a few friends who spend their summers riding motorcycles. I love to hear about all the road trips they take on their bikes and the sights that they see. No matter if they ride a Harley or Honda they are always buying some type of new accessory such as helmets, memphis shades, or boots. For anyone who loves to ride motorcycles as much as my friends, I have found a great new website cruisercustomizing.com. Visit them today for all your biking needs.

Happy Thanksgiving. . .

. . . and I cannot wait to eat the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pies, and everything else. This is one of my favorite days of the year. I love it because it's nice to be able to get together with family and catch up on all that has gone on over the year and to also hear about what may be happening the next year. Hope everyone has a wonderful time with their family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving.

Mexico Vacations

Everyone I know has a different idea about what the perfect vacation is. For someone it might be an excursion to the mountains on a hunting trip of their dreams, where as another person's dream vacation might be to visit the white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya, mexico vacations may be just what this type of person is looking for. One hotel that I have heard about is Karisma Hotels, which offers individual indulgences along with fabulous entertainment, accommodations, and excellent service. Each of their hotels are very specific, whether it is family based, adults only, food related, or the Au Natural Club there is definitely something for everyone looking to vacation in Mexico. A great souvenir to purchase while on vacation is always gold. Have fun on your trip to Mexico.

Cole's Game

Tonight we decided not to go to Cole's basketball game in Belmond. John thought the drive was a little to far and we didn't know how Alli would sit through two nights in a row of games. When Cole got home tonight he told us all about the great game he had. It turns out he was totally on, he was one of the leading scorers, rebounders, and stealers. I hope he didn't have this great of a game just because John wasn't there. I think his dad make him just a little bit nervous. Way to go Cole, keep up the great playing and start to show everyone what a great player you really are.

Grandma Wanda's Bread

Tonight, while visiting with Grandma Wanda, she told me that she needed to bake another batch of bread before Thanksgiving. I asked her when she was planning on doing this, as I would like to come and help her. Grandma's response to me was, "I don't need any help, I can do it by myself". My mom and I both started to laugh (Grandma has had some health issues and I think she believes we believe she cannot do anything for herself). I proceeded to tell Grandma that I knew she didn't need any help, I just wanted to learn how to make bread and she would be the perfect teacher. I have been trying for years to get her to teach me, I think it is just easier for her to do it herself and not have anyone in the way. I am going to keep at her though and hope that one of these days she will take the time to teach me.

Las Vegas Shows

Four years ago, when my sister and her husband were married in Las Vegas, was the last time I have visited this city of lights. This was my second time vacationing in Las Vegas, and I hope to go again sometime. The end of this month Trisha and Mike are going again, to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary. My first trip was filled with many Las Vegas Shows. Jane and I went to a very funny comedy and also a wonderful music show, however my second trip was filled with various wedding activites, so seeing a show was not an option. I hope during Trisha and Mike's trip they are able to see a couple great shows and enjoy their time together, a break away from their two wonderful boys.

4 Teeth. . .

and counting. Dru is cutting teeth again. It seems she is unable to cut them one or even two at a time, she has four that are trying to come in right now. Of those four, two have just broke through and the other two are very close. I cannot wait for them to also break through. Dru, John, and I have had quite a few sleepless nights during this teething session. Not only are our nights getting long, she has been very irritable and she really doesn't know what she wants. Her poor little hands are starting to get chapped. I just can't convince her to stop chewing on them. Her favorite toy right now is a cold washrag, which doesn't help the chapped hands or face. Hopefully by Christmas she will be done, at least for a while anyway.

Pheasant Hunting

For the past two weeks Cole has been asking his dad to take him and a friend pheasant hunting. Brice, who loves to hunt, has not been out this season as his dad has had to work a lot of overtime. Tonight Brice is spending the night so that they, Cole, Brice, and John, can get up bright and early and hit the fields in hopes of finding lots of birds. It has been a rainy fall and there is still a lot of corn in the fields, which means lots of places for the pheasants to hide. Tomorrow is suppose to be cold and windy, I hope the birds don't hide to well in all of that corn or we may have two very disappointed boys. It would sure be fun if Brice could shoot a couple birds and was able to take them home to his dad.

Duocal Powder

Having a daughter with special needs I know exactly how important dietary supplements are, especially in children like Alli, whose diets are so restricted. AllegroMedical offers supplements such as duocal Powder, which is Gluten free, lactose free, and protein free. This is a high calorie powder specially made for protein and/or electrolyte restricted diets. Duocal powder provides fats and carbohydrates, which helps to increase caloric intake in children as young as one year of age and older. One website I have found where you are able to purchase this product is at AllegroMedical. Founded in 1996, they have expanded to include such retail products as nutritional dietary supplements, exercise and fitness equipment, and outdoor equipment.

Breastfeeding

Dru is almost 10 months old. I just don't know where the time has gone. I have started to ween her of breast milk. I think my milk has gotten less and less, which means she isn't as satisfied anymore. She is down to one feeding in the morning and once in the evening. I think by the first of December I should be done. She is a very hungry little girl, she prefers to eat her table food and then have a bottle. I guess that's okay, it's time I get my body back anyway. I love the bonding the breastfeeding provides, but it's nice to not be so tied down. Breastfeeding takes a lot of dedication, it's well worth it though.

ShopWiki

Christmas is just around the corner, with that being said, I can honestly say that I will be doing more of my shopping online this year. Not only does it save time, but it happens to be more convenient then running from store to store trying to find what I need, at the the price I am willing to spend. One website that I have found where just about any product can be purchased is at shopWiki.com. They have changed online shopping by crawling the internet for all websites with products to sell, instead of just offering websites that have been paid to be found. This means I can compare prices from all different stores from one friendly website, ShopWiki.

Having a wide age range of children to buy for, from teenagers to infants, I know I will be able to find just what I am looking for on this website. One gift I will be looking for this year are the baby-soft-to touch books. These fun interactive books will be perfect for my daughter and newphew. I am also looking for a new infant/toddler carseat for Dru, one that she can use now and as a booster seat. I like the idea that I can also check to make sure this product is safe, I can do this by checking the recall list, right from ShopWiki. Visit them today and see what they have to offer.

Snow

Listening to the weatherman tonight has been a little bit depressing to say the least. According to the man I listened to, we could get a couple inches of snow by the end of the weekend. I love having all four seasons, however I wish spring, summer, and fall would last much longer, as the winters seem to get longer and colder. Hopefully if we do get snow this early in the season, it will only mean that it will not last as long in the spring. It would be okay by me if shortly after Christmas was when we had our last snowfall for the season, however I don't think that is even a remote possibility.

Alcohol And Drug Recovery

It seems whenever I turn on the TV or read the newspaper there is someone in need of Alcohol and Drug Recovery assistance. I am so grateful that there are places like Three Hills Ranch Recovery with programs like intervention, family therapy, drug testing, a day treatment recovery program, and many other wonderful programs to help those in need. Alcohol and drugs are so prevalent in our society today, it is good to know that if I or a loved one was ever in need of assistance that there are facilities out there to help.

Nine Months Old

Dru turned nine months old on October 22. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I think this is because she is my baby, absolutely no more children, four is definitely enough. Today we went to the doctor for her nine month check up. Since we do not vaccinate, all that needed to be done was weight, height, and to see that she was meeting all her achievements for this age. I am happy to say that she is right on target. A very happy and healthy baby girl. She is 24.9 pounds and 29 inches tall, which means Dru is in the 97% for height and weight. This means that she is 97% heavier and taller then other girls her age. My arms can definitely tell how much she weighs. I am not going to complain though, time just flies by.

Online Degree

In the Midwest, where I presently live, jobs are hard to come by. Not only are they hard to come by, but some employees go to work everyday wondering if it will be the last day that they have a job at the company they are currently working for. I think one way to improve their skills and help with finding other employment is by improving their qualifications, and a great way to do this is by receiving an online degree. Capella University, an accredited online university, offers masters and PhD programs. They offer a podcast, featuring Beverly Enns, Capella's faculty chair, for reading and literacy. Anyone looking to improve their career opportunities should visit their website today.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.

Election 2008

It's finally over, the election of 2008 has been decided. Barack Obama and Joe Biden have done it, they have won the election and will take over the White House on January 20, 2009. I don't think it really mattered if John McCain or Barack Obama won this election, whoever inherited the mess we are in right now sure has their hands full. My hope for our new president is this, I hope he finds a way to heal our economy, our health care system, and our relationships with the rest of the world. We need to let the rest of the world know that we are still the great America that we have always been and will always be. Good luck to our new president, their families, and the staff that will be assisting him.

Credits: Starpulse.com

Tactical Pants

One website that I have found where you can purchase tactical pants at a reduced price is at operator-tactical-pants.com. In the past 15 days alone they have sold over 3,000 pairs of pants. With over 20 years of experience in the design of police and military apparel you can be assured that their operator tactical pants are exactly what you are looking for. These pants are designed with the customer in mind. They are fully loaded with more pockets, comfort, and maneuverability. This website gets rid of the middle man, which means they can then pass on the savings directly to us, their customers.

Too Much Texting

For the past two months I have gotten really nervous when I see my cell phone bill has arrived in the mail. Cole, who is my 13 year old son, has started texting his friends more then he calls them. Like other parents with teenagers I have finally learned my lesson. For the month of October and November my phone bill has almost doubled due to his fast little fingers. I am very fortunate that my cell phone company did right by us and retro acted back different programs to help reduce the amount we owed. We now have unlimited texting for his phone, which means next months bill better not be such a surprise.

Thanksgiving Day Sale

Christmas is just about six weeks away. For those of us who wait until the last minute to get our shopping done, the time is winding down very fast. One of my favorite times to shop for Christmas is on Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving. Having four children to shop for, as well as many nieces and nephews, I find my best savings happen during the thanksgiving day sale.

I like to make out my list in advance, and one way to do that is to receive email alerts from blackfridayonline.com. This website is a fabulous tool when making out my Christmas list. By visiting their website you can sign up for notifications from your favorite stores, such as Sears, by doing this their ads will be emailed directly to you. There is no longer a need to rush out to the gas station on Thanksgiving morning to hurriedly read through the ads while getting ready for your turkey dinner.

Another reason this website is such a great idea is that I don't have to leave the comfort of my home, I can simply visit this website and order the sale items right online. There is no longer a need to rush out during the early morning hours, hoping to get the special savings on the perfect gift for my family. With just a few clicks of the mouse my shopping is done and my gifts will be shipped right to my home. It really doesn't get to much better then that when it comes to shopping during the holiday season. I really like the idea of not having to fight the crowds, but still reaping all the benefits of Black Friday. Visit them today and sign up for your favorite stores email alerts.

Trick or Treating

Tonight was the big night, time to take the girls out for Halloween. We usually go to our church for their trunk and treat. Here you go from car to car to get your treats, this is a great thing because it's all people that we know. They have face painting, games, and movies. The kids really enjoy it. We also go and visit Great Grandma Wanda, Grandma Kat, and Grandpa Lloyd. Cole worked at the trunk and treat so he didn't dress up this year, Alli went as a cowgirl and boy was she cute, Becca was a princess of course, and Dru was the cutest pumpkin ever. Even though we were only gone for a very short while, it amazes me how much candy they still manage to bring home.

Designer Costume Jewelry

Going out with friends on a Saturday night, or any night of the week for that matter, is bound to be a good time filled with lots of fun memories. One way to spice up my look and accessories is by wearing designer costume jewelry. Holsted Jewelers has been around since 1971 and provides a wide variety of designer costume jewelry, from classic styles to cutting edge designs. They have sold over 15 million pieces of jewelry to very satisfied customers over the past five years. With something for every lifestyle and budget it's hard not to find the perfect piece to complete any attire.

Facebook

Yesterday I finally created a facebook account. I haven't taken the time to really check it out or to visit any "friends" who are also on facebook. I am told this is a great place to keep in touch with family and friends, guess we will have to see about that. It should be quite fun to post pictures and videos of the kids for everyone to see. I will also enjoy seeing pictures posted by my friends and family, however it scares me just a little because of all the bad things on the news about facebook. I will have to see how things go with this, I am thinking everything will be just fine.

Cheap Eyeglasses

AffordableVision.com. The title of this website speaks for itself. They offer cheap eyeglasses at very affordable prices. With the economy the way it is right now, a bargain is just what I'm looking for, especially while raising four children. This company offers complete eyeglasses starting as low as just $39.99. This price is more then just a bargain, especially since we are also talking about great quality, the same kind of quality glasses that doctors and eye clinics also sell. Not only do they offer cheap eyeglasses, but their company is based out of the United States, which means their product is made here, meaning they are keeping jobs in America. How great is that on top of everything else.

Still Teething

Dru is still teething. She has four teeth already and is starting to work on more. Everything she touches goes right into her mouth, it really doesn't matter what it is. I think her favorite teething object is a cool, damp cloth. She can chew on this for quite some time. Right now it seems her favorite teething toy is the zipper on my jacket. The things kids will put in their mouths. I better go find her something better to chew on.

Deer Hunting

It is that time of year again, time for the guys in my house to dig out all of their hunting gear, get up early or go out in the evening, trying to track down that trophy deer. John and Cole both went out tonight, they put on their camo, got out the bow and arrows, and headed off to their favorite tree stand. I hope for Cole that he finally gets that big buck his been chasing after the past three years. Guess I'll have to wait and until they get home to see if he finally got the big one.

Beauty Schools

It doesn't matter who you are, when it comes to our hair we always feel better when it looks the best it can. Whether it is the style, color, or how healthy it is I believe our self esteem always improves when our hair looks great. One great way to jump start your career in this field may be to start your education with beauty schools in colorado. Regency, a school founded in Minneapolis, MN, but has grown to over 30 campuses in nine states, could be your stepping stone into this great industry. Graduates from Regency are very recognized and sought after throughout the United States.

Grilled Chicken

Tonight for supper we had chicken that was made on our charcoal grill, which I think adds the best flavor. John grilled it to perfection. The outside of the chicken had just the right amount of crispiness and seasoning, while the inside was moist and very juicy. I have found when it comes to grilling chicken the best type to grill is skinless chicken breast still on the bone. Having the bone still on the breast helps to add flavor and I believe it helps to keep it moist. It is very rare that my chicken doesn't turn out when we prepare it this way. Tonight the only thing that was missing was the barbecue sauce. Oh well, I guess it's good to change it up a bit and not always prepare it the same way. My kids opted to have a grilled cheese sandwich instead, they really don't know what they missed, too bad for them.

Broken Finger

Last night after football practice Cole showed me his finger, "look mom, I think I jammed my finger today at practice, look how swollen my knuckle looks". Looking at his finger I noticed that it was slightly swollen but not to the point of making me to concerned. Well, today after school he showed me his finger again and this time his knuckle is black and blue and about twice the size of his other knuckles. He is unable to bend his finger, partly because it is so swollen, but we are also leaning towards thinking it may be broken, which is not a good thing when he has a game tomorrow night. When I asked Cole how he thought he might have broken it he wasn't quite sure. Somehow he thinks he hot his finger stuck in another players helmet when he tackled him and because of this it bent a way it should not have. If Cole did break his finger, it wouldn't be Cole's way unless he did it in the most unique way. I guess he will be making another visit to Dr. Shaik's office this week. Thank goodness for AFLAC.

The Chase

I am a little disappointed that my favorite Nascar driver, Kasey Kahne, did not make it into the chase again this year. I sure hope he has better luck next year. If I had to pick a driver to win the Sprint cup this year, my vote goes to Tony Stewart, I sure don't want Jimmy Johnson to win it again. There are a lot of talented drivers in the chase this year as in every year. As Nascar fans we sure have our favorites, our opinions about each driver and for the most part it is very difficult to change a fans mind about those opinions. Good luck to all the drivers and lets hope for a safe rest of the season. Congrats to whoever the winner may be, even though it won't be Kasey.

VoIP Phone Systems

Whether you are a small business or a large business the advantages of VoIP phone systems is undeniable. This phone system created by Xpander is designed to be the most flexible and user-friendly business phone system in the world. These phones are designed to work anywhere there is broadband and web control panels. They offer features like plug and play, capability to re-route your extension, manage your voice mail, and click to dial users. Nimbus VoIP phones eliminates capital expenditures such as buying and maintaining traditional PBX phones, including service charges and labor contracts. By using Nimbus VoIP phones your business can take advantage of unlimited calling in the United States and unlimited calling to any other Nimbus VoIP phone in the world.

Adult Acne

Dru is now almost eight months old and since she has been born I have had a lot of problems with acne. It is not all over my face, only along my jawline, however it is very troublesome. I am 35 years old and feel like I am going through puberty with my 13 year old son who is also fighting with acne.

Some of my acne gets very red, swollen, and can sometimes feel hot. It seems no matter what kind of acne treatment I use I cannot get rid of these embarrassing blemishes. I hope once I stop nursing my hormones will go back to normal so that this not so little problem will finally go away.

Dentist Appointment

Alli has a dentist appointment tomorrow with Dr. Todd. I think the dentist is Alli's least favorite place to go. She can be in the best of moods and the second I pull into the parking lot of her dentist she because instantly upset and starts to overreact. Alli, who is 11 years old, is Autistic, non-verbal, and does not use sign language, so it is very hard to rationalize with her to let her know everything will be all right.

Dr. Todd is very good with her and it amazes me how he can get into her mouth and brush and floss her teeth they way he does. I think he is a man who has a lot of patience and is very kid orientated. Tomorrow we are going to try and get x-rays done so that we can check for cavities, she has not had any since she had her teeth fixed in a hospital setting under anesthesia. He tells me he will get it done and she will do just fine, I sure hope he knows what he is talking about. I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Premium Seats USA

When it comes to purchasing tickets to a sporting event it isn't always easy to get the great seats we all want to sit in. Now, being able to purchase those coveted locations has become easy with Premium Seats USA. This company offers a huge variety of first class tickets to all concerts, sporting events, and theater events nationwide. Premium Seats USA is a online ticket broker who can provide such things as Miami Heat tickets or get you into a new show in Las Vegas. Visit them today to see what great offers they have for you and your family, anything from sports to theater, they are there for you.

Lucky

We now have a two year old Chesapeake puppy. I guess I shouldn't say he is a puppy because he is a very large dog, but a very pretty dog. We got Lucky because of an unfortunate situation, his owner is being deployed to Iraq and needed a family to care for and keep his dog, so John felt lead to take him in. We already have three dogs who are a part of our family, they are all Brittany Spainials, but I am sure Lucky will fit right in. John is pretty excited about this dog as he seems to be trained very well and will be a very good hunting dog. I sure hope everything works out for Lucky and his previous owner while he is serving overseas in Iraq. God be with them all and keep them safe.

Big Brother 10

Last night was the conclusion to Big Brother 10. At first I wasn't too sure about this group of house guests, but as the season went I they kind of grew on me. I was a little unsure of Renny but she did make me laugh, and laugh a lot. I was glad to see that Dan won this season, I can honestly say that he was the one I was hoping would win since about the middle of the season. I thought he did well being America's player and I thought he did a good job playing the game. Now that this season is over I can't wait to see who will be on Big Brother 11.

Online Master's Degree

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, visit Blogitive.com.

Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is also a member of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Capella University is a fully online university for adults who are looking for an online graduate school to enable them to earn their master's and PhD degrees. Capella has just released it's latest Inside Online Education podcast, which features a discussion with Beverly Enns, who is Capella's faculty chair for reading and literacy. She discusses how Capella is the only online university which offers a master's degree program that is state-approved for specialization in reading and literacy. If you are looking into getting your master's or PhD degree online check out one of Capella's podcast, which features students or faculty describing their experiences using Capella's program.

Allergic Reaction

Sunday night my son Cole, who is 13 years old, came to John and I because of some bumps on his legs. He told us he noticed them about a week before he decided to tell us. The only reason he has now decided we should know is that they were starting to itch and spread. Yesterday I finally got him in to see his doctor and he was diagnosed with having an allergic reaction to something. His doctor, Dr. Shaik, prescribed a antihistamine and a cream to help with the itching and to keep it from spreading any further. The bumps, which are almost like blisters are for now just on his legs. This made his dad and I wonder if he got into some kind of Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. He has told us that he hasn't been in any weeds so he didn't think this was a possibility. As of right now it's just a guessing game to what the reaction is from. I sure hope it goes away and stays away.

The Election

My husband John, is in the living room watching the town hall meeting on TV, featuring John McCain and Sarah Palin. I'm not quite sure what to think about Sarah Palin, but she sure has grabbed my attention, the attention of the media, and the attention of most of America.

In past elections I can honestly say that I have not been too interested in what the candidates have to say. I try to see what they stand for, compare it to what I believe in, and then I try and go with my gut feeling when it comes time to vote. I get so confused during the election season, I'm not exactly sure who to believe or what to believe, I just have to hope that the person I vote for will really try to achieve what it is they are saying is in their agenda.

I think the draw with Sarah Palin, in my opinion, is that she seems to be refreshing compared to past and present candidates. Sarah Palin seems like she is just like most other American, she has a career, she's a mom and wife, and has an interest in changing things she doesn't like. I think the draw to her is that she really may be just like us, the "typical American" who just happened to have enough guts to know what she didn't like and went into politic to change those things she didn't like. Once she conquered being a mayor, why not move on to Governor, and on to vice-president? Don't we all wish we could be this determined? Maybe this is just what the White House needs?

ENGO Patch

The National Health & Wellness Club has given their seal of approval to Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc., which is located in Minneapolis, MN, for their ENGO blister prevention patches. Sample patches were sent out and tested for effectiveness on preventing blisters, reliving blister pain, ease of use, price, and for a variety of other characteristic. In order to earn this seal of approval 1,000 sample packs were sent out to Today's Health & Wellness and to North American Hunter. Product reviews and testimonials will be available online and in print sometime this fall. Visit their website to learn more about this product.

Harvest

Fall is just a few short days away, which means it's time for the farmers to get in the fields for harvest. Because of the wet spring we had I am guessing harvest will start a little later than normal this year. The crops are finally starting to turn so I don't think it will be too long before we see the combines starting in some the fields. I'm sure John and my father-in-law, along with all the other farmers, are just itching to get in their fields. I hope the yields are better then has been predicted, I've heard they are predicting smaller yields because of the wet spring we had, that is the last thing the farmers need.

Good Weather

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. The temps were great and there was little or no wind and not much humidity. This is the time of year when I cherish the nice days we have left, as winter is just around the corner. I am hoping this gorgeous weather carries through the weekend so we can get outside and enjoy it before it's gone until next year. This is my favorite time of year and I dread the cold season that is coming upon us way to fast. I hope these nice, warm days will stick around for a few more weeks.

Coin Portfolio

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Red Cast

Today my mom had an appointment with her Ortho doctor regarding her sprained right ankle and her broken left ankle. She received a good report in that they told her if she stayed off of her broken ankle she probably would not need surgery, however because she is diabetic it would most likely take her a full eight weeks to recover. They did explain to her that if for some reason her Tibia pulled away from her ankle this would require surgery, probably using screws to keep everything in place. I am hoping for her sake that this doesn't happen. The doctor did put a new cast on her leg today, bright red, her favorite color. I'm sure people will be able to see her coming from a mile away. I'm sure this matches her red toe nail polish perfectly. Ha Ha!

CPR

Tonight was the night for our dental office to get our CPR certification renewed. We are required to do this every two years. It took us about 2 1/2 hours once we took the written test, listened to the instructor, and tested out on Annie. It amazes me how things have changed from the way we all learned CPR years ago. I am glad that they are making things more healthy by having us use masks when it comes to the breathing. I find it a little stressful however to remember the order in which things are suppose to be done. I guess I just figure if I'm giving them their two breaths, 30 compression and calling 911 then I am on the right track. I really hope I am never in a situation where I am required to use it though. That would be pretty scary.

Disaster Recovery Software

If you are looking for a company which offers superior product performance and reliable technical support when it comes to data management and data protection, then Syncsort Incorporated just may be the company for you. Over 90 percent of the Fortune 100 companies use Syncsort and their products to enhance their business. For over 40 years Syncsort Incorporated has built a reputation like none other. Their high performance data protection and data management software for mainframes, UNIX, Linux, and windows environments is a leading developer in this market. Syncsort develops, markets, and services different software including disaster recovery software. Visit their website today to see what Syncsort Incorporated can do for you and your company.

Laundry Duty

I don't know about you, but when it comes to the men and boys in my house it is just about impossible to get them to help when it comes to the laundry. For some reason my husband thinks he can throw just about any combination together and put it into the washing machine. I have seen towels, whites, reds, and jeans all in the same load. It seems no matter how often I explain why we need to sort clothes it just goes over his head. I really think it's selective hearing on his part. I believe he feels he washed some clothes so I should just be thankful. Any way, if I do get him to wash clothes I can guarantee they will not get folded, they usually end up in a huge pile on a chair waiting for my arrival home. Tonight, however I finally asked for help as I was gone to CPR training most of the night. What a mistake that was, I didn't know it was so hard to fold clothes and watch sports center on ESPN at the same time. So much for multitasking. Again, I think he not only has selective hearing when it comes to laundry, but also selective ability when it comes to folding the laundry. He may think hes a lost cause, but I'm gonna keep working at him until he gets it right, no matter how long it takes.

Broken Ankles

On Monday morning my mom called to let me know that she had fallen Sunday night. Because of this fall she thought she had broken both of her ankles. When they called the ER on Sunday night they told her to wait and come in on Monday morning. As it turned out she had only one broken ankle, but severely sprained the other one. I have not see her yet as my parents were on vacation when this happened. They will be home Saturday afternoon. I am anxious to see her and see how she is coping with the interruption in her life. I could even imagine trying to walk. She see's her Ortho doctor on Tuesday to find out if she will need surgery or not. Hope not. I'll keep you posted.

Diverticular Disease

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Fresh Paint

I finally got the painting done that I have wanted to get done for the last nine months. I had no kids at home so I was able to get the walls painted. The kids are back in school, which means time for mom to get a few things done around the house while they are away.

It's a good feeling to have fresh paint on the walls, it make everything look so clean and fresh. I always think while I'm painting that we really never know how dirty our walls are until we get up close and personal with them. After painting them I can definitely sat it was really time to get this job done. I also decide to paint the outside door the same color as my living room walls. I think I like it, I just haven't decided for sure yet. The next time I paint I may have to choose a different color as I have had this shade of brown for a few years now. Oh well, I like the color and it goes well with my furniture.

Shoe Shopping

Alli has finally out grown her tennis shoes from last year. I didn't realize how tight they had become until just the other day. I did find a pair of Nike shoes that were hand me downs from her cousin, however they were a size too big, so tonight John and I went shopping for some new shoes for Alli. We did find a pair we are hoping will fit her, but we will have to wait to try them on her in the morning when she wakes up.

We hit the jackpot though as John got two new pairs of shoes, a pair of tennis shoes and a nice pair of casual shoes. I also found a pair of brown high heel boots that were on sale, so of course I just had to get them. (Happy birthday to me.) Good thing the store we went to was having buy one get one 1/2 off. Okay so we would have spent less money had there not been a sale, we would have just gotten Alli shoes. I guess that's what sales are for, getting people to spend money they weren't expecting to spend just to make us think we were getting a good deal.

Personal Injury Attorney

Everyone knows that when it comes to driving a vehicle we cannot be careful enough. Not only do we have to worry about our loved ones who are riding in the same vehicle as us, but we also have to be defensive when it comes to the other drivers on the road. None of us like to think of the what if’s in our lives, like auto or workplace accidents. However, if we find ourselves in a situation like these it’s good to know a San Antonio Personal Injury Attorney who knows how to prepare and present claims, which will maximize financial recovery if such an unfortunate accident should occur. The law Firm OMD will give free rights and legal options for motor vehicle or workplace accident claims. Visit them today if you need legal advice from a personal injury attorney.

Vacation Day

My sister is home visiting for the next few days with her boys Hudson and Logan, so I decided to take a couple days off from work to visit with them. I also decided I would use one of my days to get some things done around the house. I need to go through Dru's dresser drawers to figure out what doesn't fit her anymore. I also am going to try and paint my living room walls. It will be nice to spend time with Trisha, Hudson, and Logan. It will also be a very good feeling to get some things done around home too.

the fat loss guru

Back in January Dru came into our lives. This makes baby number four for me. I love her dearly, but with each child I have definitely added to my waistline, thighs, and okay my behind also. It seems no matter what diets I have tried, the weight just doesn’t want to come off. Part of my problem is I love food way too much, so when it comes to dieting, which requires eating less, it just makes me all the hungrier. Diabetes is a disease the runs in my family. My grandfather and mom have Diabetes and I also had Gestational Diabetes with my last two pregnancies, so I know that I must lose the weigh I have gained and keep it off to help stop the cycle of me also getting Diabetes.

I have tried Weight Watchers a couple of times. At first the weight seems to come off fast and I get excited because I think this diet will finally work out for me, but then it always seems like I come to a stand still and I then get very frustrated which causes me to lose my focus. I have seen Jenny Craig advertised on TV, however I really don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on monthly enrollment fee’s nor do I want to pay for their food that you must eat to be a success in their program. I don’t want to be tied down to only certain kinds of foods. Especially ones that come straight out of a box, I really don’t understate how eating out of a box can be that healthy.

Recently I found the fat loss guru. This seems like a diet which could really help me out. He focuses on eating foods more often through out the day. He lays out his dieting plan in a simple ultimate diet handbook, which explains his fat burning theory. Being able to follow his simple steps and being able to eat more through out the day might be just what I need to jump start my weight loss and lead me down the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Baptism

This past weekend Logan had his Baptism at the church my sister grew up in. Logan and Noah celebrated their special day together. Logan Edwin was named after our Grandpa Dell Edwin who passed away last May. Because Logan was named after grandpa Trisha decided to dress Logan in the same attire we were all used to seeing grandpa wearing. Logan looked very adorable in his plaid shirt, blue jeans, and suspenders, just like grandpa would wear. It was a very special day for everyone and we sure missed Grandpa Dell and wished he could have been there with us.

Black Friday

Now that the kids are off to school it won’t be long before Christmas is here. It is just amazing how time flies from one event to the next. For instance, with the start of school brings the countdown to winter, and that means the holiday season is just around the corner, which we all know is one of the busiest times of the year. Now that Dru has joined our family it means more planning and comparing prices before any gifts can be purchased, as we will now be buying for four children. My children’s ages range from 13 years to 7 months which means I will be looking at a wide range of gift ideas from electronics, clothes, and learning toys.

One way that always helps me save money is by shopping on Black Friday. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when almost every store goes hog wild with crazy shopping specials. Whether you have a large family or not this is a great way to help out the pocket book, as this is a very expensive time of year for everyone.

To shop on black Friday it used to require buying the local newspaper on Thanksgiving Day morning, reading through all the special ads after putting the turkey in the oven. My husband and I would go through every ad to see who had the best deal and who had exactly what each child wanted. Then it was to decide if it was worth the savings to get up in the middle of the night to venture out and stand in line hoping to get that perfect gift. Since then, I have found a website that will now send black friday ads to my email ahead of time, which is a great way to help me plan in advance. I simply request the ads I would like to view, they send them to me ahead of time, I review them, and decided where I will start my shopping day. Receiving the ads ahead of time is a great way to help ease the stress of the Christmas Season.

Back To School

Well, the kids went back to school on Tuesday. The sad thing about school starting is that summer must come to an end. I really don't mind that it's another school year, as it helps keep them out of trouble, I just would rather have summer all year long. With the start of the school year it means that winter is just around the corner and that means it's gonna get cold. I really do think Cole, Alli, and Becca are glad that school has started even though they don't want to admit it. I think they like to get back into a better routine and I know they like seeing their friends everyday.

Auto Body

Last winter my son accidentally crashed a shopping cart into my minivan. A couple months ago my husband noticed a nice little dent in the back of the van where it was hit. Unfortunately, what caught his eye first was rust not the little dent. It looks like we will need to make an appointment for some auto body work to be done so that the rust will not continue to spread to other areas of my van.

Detoxing Alli

We have done four detox treatments for Alli in the past week and a half. We have noticed some nice changes in her since we started using the ion cleanse. Food does not seem to be a high priority anymore. Alli usually can eat 24/7 and not get full or gain a single pound. She now will wait patiently while supper is being prepared. It used to be that she would do a lot of screaming because she wanted to eat now. She has also been a lot more content. For example, when ever Alli is around a pool the only thing she can think about is swimming. If she is not in the water she is Crabby with a capital C! This weekend while visiting my sister, who has a swimming pool, Alli was perfectly happy to swim only a couple hours versus being in the pool all day long. Another positive thing we have noticed with Alli is at bedtime, she is going to bed without a fight and falling a sleep right away. We will continue to detox and hope to see other improvements in her.

Amos Tamam

Amos Tamam was born September 6, 1977 in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is an actor that has starred in things such as, “Srugim” (2008) TV Series….Amir, Giborim Ktanim (2006)… Police Officer, aka Little Hereos USA, and “Shir Shelanu, Ha-“ (2004) also a TV Series, the English title for this TV series is Our Song. He has also been in other movies. To learn more about Amos Tamam click on the link provided.

New Cabinets

Today Cole and I starting putting together some new cabinets, which we will be putting in our entry way. This was like the blind leading the blind. First of all none of the parts were labeled, we had to compare each piece with the picture in the directions. Boy, was that confusing. Once we got on a good roll and had most of it put together we came to another road block. When we tried to close the doors they wouldn't shut, they kept over lapping each other. No matter how hard we tried we couldn't figure out what we had done wrong, so we had to hold tight and wait for John to come home and help us figure things out. Of course it didn't take him long at all to figure out what had gone wrong. We have only one more of these cabinets to put together, I sure hope putting that one together goes better then the one we did tonight.

Video Editing

Having four children in my household means I will be using my video camera quite often. Blaze Media Pro looks like an exciting way to edit any of my files. Just one of the ways Blaze Media Pro helps with editing is the way it can convert WMV to AVI. Other great editing options include comprehensive video editing such as, over 30 effects and color adjustments, deleting frames, cropping, rotating, resizing, and much, much more. They offer all this so we can enhance all of our videos, pretty cool.

Change of Plans

I didn't really know what to make for supper tonight, so I decided it would be Goulash. I started to brown the hamburger in the microwave and tried to boil water on the stove for the noodles. No matter what I tried to do the stove would not light (we have a gas stove). I forgot my husband had told me the night before that he had shut the gas off to the house so he could change the copper lines. Boy did that mean I had to rethink my supper plans, so Taco night it was. This is something I don't need the stove for, I could use the microwave to cook it all. I guess in the long run it made for an easier meal, with less clean up, and the kids liked the Taco's way better then if I would have made the Goulash. I guess we will save the meal for later in the week.

Sisterly Love

Ever since Dru has become a part of our family Becca has been the proudest big sister I have ever seen. She just loves to take care of her by changing her diaper, feeding her, and dressing her up in all of her cute clothes. Becca loves to take pictures and I think she took a least one of these pictures herself. I often wonder if she will like her as much once she has started crawling, walking, and getting into all of her things. The smiles on Becca's face just shows how much she loves Dru, I hope this feeling is just as strong 10 years from now when Dru wants to follow her around where ever Becca goes. I can feel the tension already.

Detox

My 11 year old daughter Alli was diagnosed with Autism when she was three years old. Since then, my husband and I have done what we can to try and help her. We have given her all types of vitamins, ABA Therapy, GFCF Diet, Chelation, and many other things. We know she has been vaccine injured. We have put Alli through many tests and we know that she is off the chart when it comes to heavy metal toxicity. These include mercury, lead, and the list goes on. Yesterday we tried another type of detox treatment for Alli. It is called an IonCleanse. By simply putting your feet in distilled water, sea salt, and using positive and negative electrical charges you are able to remove toxins from your body. Alli is non-verbal so communicating with her is difficult. We asked her multiple yes/no questions to see if she liked the foot bath and she answered every question with a yes, she liked it and wants to do some more. We will try again tomorrow and we hope to see some changes in her no matter how big or small. We will continue to do what we can to help our daughter and detoxing her is one small piece of the whole puzzle.

Great Weather

Today was a very nice day. There was not as much humidity or wind. Too bad I had to work and didn't have much time to enjoy it, on the flip side I don't have to work tomorrow so I am hoping to get a nice day where the kids and I can play outside. I haven't seen the forecast so I am praying we don't get any rain.

Regency Beauty Institute

Regency Beauty Institute is one of the fastest growing beauty schools in the country. Since 2002 Regency has expanded from just 2 schools in Minnesota to over 30 campuses in nine different states, with 50 years of experience. Regency has three different beauty schools in missouri which are modern, salon-like, and professional. Part of the training at Regency is to work with the public under close supervision. This ensures students are ready when it’s time for that leap into the workforce. Graduates of Regency are highly sought after through out the United States and their program also offers a national job placement network.

Summer Vacation

Earlier this summer Becca was able to take a small vacation with my sister and her family. They headed north. Boating and swimming at the sandbar were some of the fun activities she did while they were gone. A trip to the zoo was also on the agenda. However, it was very hot and her favorite part of the zoo was running through the sprinkler with Hudson. Becca had a really good time and will be heading up north with Trisha's family again tomorrow. I know she will have just as much fun on this trip.

Cutting Teeth

About two weeks ago Dru got her first tooth. I think she is now working on her second tooth. She has been very fussy tonight and doesn't want to stay asleep. Her nose seems to be stuffy also. These have all been signs of cutting teeth for my other kids. I feel so bad for her because she doesn't know why her mouth hurts, she just wants it to stop hurting. It was so cute when her first tooth broke through the gums. She kept on sucking her lower lip over the tooth not really understanding what was in her mouth. She just knew something felt funny. I wonder if she will keep doing this when the other tooth finally gets here, which I hope is soon for all of us. We may be in for a few sleepless nights.

Karisma Hotels

About five years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Cancun with a group of my friends. It was a very fun place to visit, the beaches were wonderful, and I can’t wait to go back and share the fun with my whole family. Some cancun hotels offer all-inclusive options, which is the way I would like to travel during my next visit. Karisma Hotels, which specialize in individual experiences, is all about achieving the ‘WOW’ factor for their guests. They offer different types of all-inclusive hotels from adult only stays to family and friendly options. It all depends on what you are looking for during your vacation. Visit them today to book your next Cancun vacation.

Dru Elisabeth

Dru is such a happy baby. This picture was taken by my sister. When I opened my mail from her and saw this picture it put the biggest smile on my face. Every time I need a pick me up, I just look at this picture of Dru and it reminds me of what is really important. I hope this is a sign of what her personality will be like as she gets older, happy and content with whom she is.

Helping Grandma

This week Becca has been helping grandma with babysitting her cousins. They are almost three and 2 /12 months. She is having fun feeding the baby. Becca says she is the only one who can get him to sleep and grandma is agreeing with her. One big reason for this is he loves to be held and Becca is more than willing to do it. Hudson has also latched onto Becca, she is the only one he will let take him potty. He is so picky about who is in the bathroom with, it's like he gets stage fright. I guess I don't blame him, who wants an audience when it comes to that? Mom and Dad will be home tomorrow to pick up the boys. I bet Becca and Grandma are both ready for some relaxation after taking care of these two sweeties.

Stocks and Investments

When it comes to stocks and investments I have to honestly say I don’t know very much, I just trust my financial advisor and hope he is not leading me down the wrong path. I have found a website called PowerOption that is designed to help people like me. To help meet financial goals, they have designed SmartSearch, a patented decision support technology that identifies the highest return option trades for their investors. PowerOption also has a publication to help first time investors, covered calls, Aggressive Strategy for the Conservative Investor, which is a self study course that helps teach people like me. With over 3,000 optionable stocks and 195,000 options online to help reach profit goals this is the place to go to get a competitive edge. Subscribe today and receive a free 14-day trial, this also includes toll-free support and PowerOption Performance Guarantee.

New School Year

I can't believe it's that time of year again, the start of a new school year. My children will be in 8th, 6th, and 3rd grade. My, where has the time gone. I think Cole is looking forward to starting, but not for the classes or schoolwork, he is looking forward to football games and hanging out with his friends. Alli, well it's hard to know what she is thinking as she is Autistic and non-verbal. I think she is looking forward to school however. She likes to keep busy with her ABA program and loves being around her friends. Becca, who is my 3rd grader can't wait to go back. She loves her teacher and she is also anxious to be back with all of her friends. Getting back into the grove of homework and not sleeping in will be hard for all of them. I give them about a week and it will be like they never had a summer break and we will be off and running with what I hope will be a great school year.

Computer Games

Cole seems to be on the internet an awful lot lately playing RuneScape. I do not understand this game at all and I don't see what the fun is in playing it. It seems he can be on the computer for hours playing this game. I tell him he is addicited to it but he doesn't seem to think so. He is good about getting off the computer when we ask him to, but he is also good a sneaking back on at any given moment. His friends all like to play also and I think that is part of what draws him to spend so much time on this game. Hopefully when school starts he won't have much time to play.

Djembe Drums

X8 has exciting news to anyone who is interested in playing djembe drums. X8 has just announced they are importing the finest selections of beautifully handcrafted djembe drums and accessories. Together with their overseas partners, they are importing a limited number of custom made models that are perfect for the beginning drummer to the best professional player. The djembe drum is a work of art made from certified Mahogany wood, premium goatskin head, and low stretch 5mm braided rope. Rest assured that all parts put into these drums have been legally harvested and government inspected. Visit X8 today and check out these beautiful drums created by master carvers who use only the best materials available.

Making Supper

I really didn't know what to make for supper tonight so I just pulled things from my cupboards and started throwing them in the frying pan. Sometimes I have luck doing this and sometimes I don't. We call this experimental suppers. When my husband and son came home and asked what was for supper I got the look of terror because they didn't know what to expect. To our surprise it turned out to be a very good meal, one that I will have to write down and try again some time. I don't think you can go to wrong with a recipe when hamburger is the main ingredient and cream of mushroom soup is used to tie it all together.

Electric Bill

I think we ran our air conditioning pretty much the whole month of July. The mid-west was very hot and humid this past month. We have now moved into August and still have not been able to shut the air off. Our daughter Alli, who is Autistic, does not handle humidity very well. She tends to get very crabby and irritable so running our air conditioning is a must. We received our electric bill the other day and it was just as scary as I thought it would be. It was about $110 more than we would normally pay for our electricity. I sure hope August has less humidity and cooler temps then July did, however as of right now it doesn't look that will be the case.

Radiators

Is fixing cars a hobby of yours? Are you looking for a place to purchase the parts you need for a great price and still get high quality at the same time? Then Outlawradiators.com is the place for you. They are an online leader in Radiator sales and distribution with years of expertise and high level of service. By eliminating the middleman and selling directly to the customers they are able to pass the savings on to the buyer. If you are in the market for a radiator or cooling components check them out. With warehouses located all over the United States parts can usually be delivered to you by the next day. Another great aspect about Outlawradiator.com is the guaranteed lifetime warranty on their parts. I

Brett Farve

Brett Farve, boy has he been in the news lately. I don't think I have watched ESPN, FSN, or Sports Center as much as I have over the last few days (thanks to my husband). I don't understand what the fuss is all about, if the guy wants to play football let him play. Isn't it just that simple? If you don't want him on your team Green Bay release him and let him play elsewhere. If he turns around and kicks your butt in a game this season I guess you will have learned a valuable lesson. I'm not exactly sure what that lesson is, but I'm sure it will be talked about for many football years to come.

80th Birthday

My Grandma just celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday. We are planning a birthday party for her in a couple of weeks. Most of our family will be home to help her celebrate at that time. We are going to have a big bar-b-que and reminisce about the good old days. I know she is missing grandpa, especially at times like these, but I hope she has fun at her party. I pray that her health stays good and that she will be with us for quite a few more years.

Home Health Care

About six months ago my Grandma Wanda suffered a stoke and was hospitalized for two days. When the time came to go home she was still very unsteady when walking and needed to have someone with her at all times. Knowing there are facilities like CareGivers of America, who offer Home Health Care, puts my mind at ease. Having a place that will take care of people so they can stay home is a wonderful thing. CareGivers of America work with families, guardians, insurance companies, case managers, social workers, physicians, and administrators to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Braces

Cole has had his orthodontic appliance for just over a year now and taking care of them is not a top priority for this 13 year old boy. He is now suppose to wear head gear to help move his teeth along with rubber bands. Fighting with him to wear these has been a daily and nightly battle. When I finally do get him to wear his head gear he some how takes it off during the night. He supposedly doesn't know he is doing it. I just keep telling him that if does as he is told by the orthodontist he will not have to wear his braces as long. But what do we know?

Special Education

Alli will be starting 6th grade this year. She is taking that big first step into middle school, which means huge changes for her over the next year. Alli has had the same special education teacher since kindergarten. I have a feeling that adjusting to her new teachers, surroundings, and the kids in her class will take a little getting used to. I am probably more nervous than she is and I am sure the changes will take me awhile to get used to also. Making sure everything goes the way it should for her will be a big priority for me this year. Reaching her IEP goals may be a challenge for Alli until the new building and surroundings become familiar to her. I sure hope she has a good year and doesn't have to much regression with all the progress we have made.

Wedding Favors

Putting personal touches on the wedding of your dreams just got a lot easier with The Knot Wedding Shop. They offer many different wedding supplies and novelty items to make your day, a day to remember. The Knot Wedding Shop is the largest retailer of over 1,000 hard to find wedding items at the best prices available. Cameras, ring pillows, personalized cake toppers, and many unique wedding favors are just a few of the items offered. Brides will have the peace of mind knowing they offer 24 hour service and quick deliveries on those last minute must have wedding necessities to make your day perfect.

Football Camp

Cole will be starting football camp the end of this week. He will be in 8th grade this year and more will be expected of him now that this is his second year playing ball for the school. He hasn't done much for conditioning this summer so I have a feeling he will be one sore kid come Friday afternoon. They had a great year last year losing only one game. I sure hope they do just as well or better.

Gracie Jayne

Gracie Jayne is my brothers little girl. She is 2 1/2 years old and was born with Downs Syndrome. She has had a very hard battle to fight in her short little life. She weighed just over three pounds when she was born and at five months old had open heart surgery due to a hole in her heart. She is sure the little fighter and will be one independent individual as she continues to grow and learn new things everyday. I am really excited to see the person she will become.

Las Vegas Vacations

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As Snug As A Bug

The saying as snug as a bug in a rug doesn't hold more true than when I look at these pictures of Becca. It puts a smile on my face to see her all snuggled up in bed. To look at these pictures again, I still don't know how she got herself so wrapped up in those blankets. I thought for sure when she finally came out of her cocoon that she was going to have butterfly wings on her back.

Pay It Forward

I have never seen the whole movie Pay It Forward, but from what I have seen it has a very good message. That message is, if you do something nice for someone don't ask for anything in return, just ask them pay it forward. Today this saying spoke volumes to me and someday when the time is right I too will pay it forward. Thanks.

Medical Supplies

Diabetes is a medical condition that runs in my family. My grandpa and mom have had this disease for many years now. With my last two pregnancies I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, which means the chance of having type II diabetes is probably inevitable for me. Having the knowledge I do about diabetes I am relieved there are place to purchase diabetic supplies such as test stripes and syringes online from the convenience of home. Allegro Medical has had over one million customers and is one of the largest independently owed online retailers in the United States. They first launched their online store in 1998 selling all types of medical equipment. They have now expanded to include over 55,000 products such as exercise equipment, dietary supplements, outdoor gear, and baby supplies just to name a few of the products they have to offer.

Hudson and Logan

Hudson and Logan are spending the next couple of days with Grandma Kat. It's the time of year when my sister Trisha and her husband Mike take their annual vacation up north for some relaxation and leave the boys with grandma. Becca goes over to help grandma with Hudson and Logan as they can sometimes be a handful. Grandma Kat's quote of the day is "don't babies sleep anymore?" Logan is about 2 1/2 months old and is only taking short little cat naps during the day. Grandma just shakes her head and tells me "when you kids were young you ate, played, and slept for LONG periods of time. Don't babies do that anymore?" she asks me. I just smiled knowing how time clouds our memories. I know she is enjoying her time with them and is looking forward to next years visit.

Sleeping Baby

I really love to watch Dru as she sleeps. There is really nothing more calming than watching her while she is asleep in my arms. It is just so peaceful. I just look at her and I am mesmerized but what god has created for our family. The perfect little girl who just fits right in. I love to watch the adorable faces she makes, especially when she smiles, and the noises Dru makes always puts a smile on my face.

CSN

When it comes to shopping it’s nice to know that there is one place you can go to have all your questions answered, Cable Shopping Network. A place where they educate with enthusiasm regarding the products they have available. Having the trust of their viewers and building a committed relationship is a top priority. At CSN you will receive a shopping experience that compares to no place else. CSN has become one of the most successful retailers of all types of collectibles. Come visit them and see what type of collectibles they have to offer you, such as the presidential dollar coin. CSN welcomes visitors to their corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ where you can witness first hand the passion of Cable Shopping Network. Visit them today by watching them on TV or by checking out their website.

Computer Problems

Tonight I was trying to spice up my new blog by adding pictures of my family to it, but for some reason I was unable to upload pictures due to some kind of internal error. I am not one that has to much computer knowledge and when things don't go my way it can get very frustrating. I like things to work perfect all the time with no complications . Only in a perfect world and I guess we don't live in one. I did talk to someone about the problem I was having and they thought it might have to do with my internet connection. Lets hope that's all it is and they are able to fix it when I call them tomorrow. I sure would like to be able to upload some more picture into my blog.

Losing Teeth

My daughter Becca recently went to visit her dentist for her six month check-up. She is eight years old and was told by her hygienist that she would be losing a lot of teeth real soon. Tonight at supper she lost one of those teeth. It was kinda funny in that all she really wanted to eat was a salad, which was okay because who wants to eat when it is this hot outside. Anyway the rest of us were having a pork chop cooked on the grill which went perfect with our salads. Eventually Becca decides she would like one too just so she could nibble on the bone like the rest of us (we all like to do this cuz it has the best flavor). Well, you can about imagine what happened next, to no one's surprise she starts to cry because her tooth hurts. She obviously bit down on the wrong tooth and oop's it became really loose and dad needed to take it out. Of course it always hurts worse then it actually does but the bigger the scene the bigger the money, or so she thinks. It did bleed an awful lot but it didn't take long to stop. Guess I better let the tooth fairy know she needs to make a stop at our house tonight or I will have one disappointed little girl.

Midwest Auto Recycling

There is nothing more frustrating to me than when my vehicle has a problem. Just last month my husband had problems with this truck that required it being in the shop for a few days. Thank goodness we were able to borrow another truck from his dad or we would have had a long couple of days trying to get from one place to another. It is also maddening when the bill is handed over to you, not only are parts expensive but so is the labor. Using midwest auto recycling, who specializes in used engines and transmissions is one place to go to save money on your next auto repair. Knowing your engine miles are all CARFAX verified is also a positive when buying parts from them. You can be sure that all engines are inspected for compression, checked for oil, cleaned, and all transmissions are test driven so that you will be satisfied with the parts you purchase. So the next time you are in need of fixing your vehicles, just visit their website and see what they have to offer you.

Six Months Old

I can't believe Dru is six months old already. The time has just flown by. It makes me giggle every time I think of the things she can and can't do. For instance, she has maybe rolled over about three times on her own. I know she can do it but she hates to lay on the floor, she would rather sit and look around as she has three older sibling to learn from. She still has no teeth but is working very hard at getting some. She loves her milk but really doesn't want to eat her cereal or other baby foods. I can't wait to see the changes in her over the next six months.

Great American Seafood Cook Off

As a young teenager I remember a couple summer vacations with my family that took us all the way to Canada. I had never in my lifetime seen such a lake, if you can call the massive amount of water we fished on a lake, to me it could have been the ocean. I never did figure out how my dad knew where we were or how to get us back to the cabin we were staying at. The fishing was awesome and eating the fish was just as awesome. Recently my parents made a return trip to our favorite Canadian location, my Uncle Ron and Aunt Denise’s cabin, which is located near a town called Dryden. To hear all the different stories about the big one that got away and would have been just perfect on dad’s dinner plate still puts a smile on my face. Our all time favorite fish to eat would have to be Walleye, the flavor and the texture seems to be the most satisfying for my family, how to prepare it, well that still seems to be up for debate. How to prepare the fish, steaming on the grill to let the flavor of the charcoal come through, shore lunch over the open flame, deep fat frying it, or my favorite grilled with lots of butter and lemon pepper, usually causes some kind of argument. When going to Canada isn’t an option it’s not to hard getting fish local and fresh here in the Midwest. If my family really wants it fresh we just ask dad if he wants to go fishing and we try to catch it ourselves, by doing this we know exactly where our fresh fish came from, right out of the lake.

My recipe is quite simple, put Walleye in tin foil, place a few pieces of butter on fish, and sprinkle lemon pepper over fish, fold up tin foil and place on a hot grill. After about 10 minutes check the Walleye, if it is white and flaky it is done and ready for the plate, if not cook until 5 to 10 minutes longer. Sounds super yummy I know, but if you think you can make my all time favorite fish taste even better, I welcome any suggestions.

I have heard of an event called the Great American Seafood Cook Off, I wonder if my favorite Walleye recipe could be a contender? Cook off? My Walleye recipe in a cook off, that could be lots of fun. It would be pretty neat to see all the contenders and their different recipes for all different kinds of seafood as this is a very healthy way to eat. Trying different recipes sure could spice things up instead of eating the same old thing all the time.

Humidity

The humidity here in Iowa has made today's weather seem very heavy. It feels as though there could be a storm brewing. The skies are starting to bring in some dark clouds. We may be in for an old fashion thunderstorm. Hopefully if it does storm it will cool off some and the air will be less humid. I guess I shouldn't complain to loud as I would rather have this type of weather instead of a winter blizzard. My hair sure doesn't like the humidity either, it tends to get frizzy and it wants to put add some unwanted curls to my hair. Oh well I guess we will just sport a new hairdo for awhile. Unfortunately, I think my air conditioning has ran nonstop most of the day which is really starting to make me dread my electric bill this month.

Great Grandparents

Having grandparents and the bond they share with their grandchildren I am told doesn't compare to anything else. I wonder if this is even more so when we become great grandparents. As a child I was lucky enough to have my all of my grandparents and most of my great grandparents. My children have also been blessed with all of their grandparents and most of their great grandparents. Unfortunately on May 4, 2008 we lost Great Grandpa Dell. He is missed greatly by his whole family. This is one of the last pictures of Grandpa Dell and Grandma Wanda with their great grandchildren Cole, Alli, Becca, Dru, Hudson, and Gracie. Unfortunately Logan was born about 1 1/2 months after grandpa left us so he is not in this picture. I am so glad we were able to get this picture. It is a very special memory for all of us.

Tactical Pants

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Coming Home

Today Cole is coming home from basketball camp. It is Thursday and he has been gone since Sunday. I would say most of us are excited that he is going to be sticking around for awhile now. That is except his sister Becca. There is a five year age gap between them. I don't know if this make them fight like cats and dogs or if he just likes to pick on her and she just like to make it sound worse then it really is. Anyway, I sure am glad he will be home after a combination of about two weeks away.