Blessed Christmas!

Here's hoping everyone's Christmas was as great as ours.  We did the hustle and bustle again in Oklahoma but we had a great time at our four or five different destinations.  My heartburn did spoil some of the fun (actual sleeping at night!) but I am looking forward to catching up this weekend for the long holiday with nothing to do and nowhere to go!!  Plus, the stress of the holidays is behind me.  Heartburn.......you can go away now!

We received many great gifts some of which include a very nice cookware set, a Corningware set, Pyrex glass storage containers, bamboo spoons sets, silverware set for 12, wonderful blankets, Ugg Boots (!!), Viva La Juicy perfume and lotion set, my  OU Sooners pillow pet (which I LOVE), gift cards, cute socks and oh so much more!!!!!  And those aren't even the gifts I am so very thankful for!  Truly blessed this holiday season.  I think the fact that our family visits were enjoyable was one of the best gifts.  It's some of the non-materialistic things that are the best.  My daddy did keep my princess status up though!  One day I hope to pass down the crown.  What a great gift that would be!

Here's to a healthy, happy and safe 2011!!  Health being at the top of the list!

Internal Clock & A Wonderful Christmas Party

Well, I still woke up at 6 after my last blog.  The next day it was 5!!  What the heck!  Thankfully I was able to go back to sleep for a bit.

This last week was a crazy week.  Rusty's birthday was Monday and he got some really GREAT gifts.  I didn't do so bad for him myself!  We made a quick trip to Oklahoma for a funeral.  It was a very emotional day and was hard on us both I believe.  Not ready to venture back down exactly one week later but you do what you have to do.  We wouldn't have missed the funeral of a really great person.

Heartburn has become a decent acquaintance of mine.  You know, someone you see quite a bit but you wouldn't consider a friend?  Well, that's heartburn.  I got a total of about 5 hours of sleep last night.  Two in the living room in the recliner and three in bed.  I am SO hopeful to sleep in BED tonight!  And, actually sleep!!  Looks like my eating habits are going to have to change a bit!

I don't think I blogged about our wonderful Christmas party for work!  Our party was at Precision Valley Golf and our meal was catered in by The Bakery Shop; Filet Mignon or Pecan Chicken and it was ALL delicious.  They also gave away great prizes and I won the big one!  A 26 inch Vizio LCD HDTV!  I felt like I had been called down at the Price is Right.  It was so awesome.  Then we also got a Christmas gift!  It was great.  I have never experienced such a wonderful Christmas party.  I truly hope I never forget what it is like to work somewhere that doesn't really appreciate their employees nor show them that they do in ANY way.  Being told that you are appreciated is enough, but this was icing on the cake!  Again, I am so very thankful for my job!

*Yawn

Yep, I'm tired.  Sleepy.  Feel like I could sleep for days!  My internal alarm clock is set to 6 am NO MATTER WHAT.  It was midnight last night when I fell asleep and I had the opportunity to sleep in a little and nope, 6 am!
I'm hoping to sleep until at least 7 in the morning!

Good night!

Daddy's Little Helper

Rusty was putting together a cheap little cabinet we bought for my bathroom.  He looks down for his screwdriver and Dagwood is sitting right in front of it.  Rusty reaches down to grab it and it's ice cold!!  Apparently Mr. Dag took the screwdriver outside and brought it back just in time for Daddy.

He's a good helper.

Rawr

My tummy has said "Rawr" for the last week.  Heartburn or whatever, it has sucked!  I am finally feeling better!

Rusty got a wild hair and we ran to Salina on Saturday for a little, and I said little, Christmas Shopping.  We didn't do too bad and ended our long trip with a wonderful steak dinner.  It was much deserved after not eating all day!  Presents are wrapped and under our little tree.

Now I'm off to bed for what I hope is another heartburn free night!  And, yes, it's only 9:03!

It's Time

Many of the situations we find ourselves in are a direct result of the actions, reactions or lack thereof on our part. Before we blame our situation on this, that, or whomever maybe we should look deep inside and learn what we could have done differently. At some point, we have to become responsible for ourselves and the decisions we make.

We Did Have A Little Fun

We really enjoyed our Thanksgiving break.  Friday we took care of indoor decorations and Saturday we took care of outdoor ones and still had a whole day of relaxation ahead!  We went to Orscheln's on Saturday after we put up the outdoor Christmas lights.  Following is a picture I wouldn't say so much that I was proud of............but it's nice to let loose and have some fun.  I especially enjoyed ringing the bell on the handlebars!

Thanksgiving 2010

This Thanksgiving we stayed home to celebrate the holiday.  It was just us and our 3 babies.  We had too much food and would have loved to share with someone.  I don't have much else to type..........not even sure why I do this anymore but here's some photos.  The double yolk egg is from a great friend that I work with. They recently bought a farm and have chickens.  LOVE farm fresh eggs!  Looking forward to the Christmas holiday......lights are up and indoor decorations are up.  The outdoor lights look great. Maybe some pics to follow.

Mystery In The Winsett Household

These pictures are pretty gruesome and may be disturbing.

Below is a picture of the murder victim.  Multiple "stab" wounds...looks like teeth were the weapon of choice.  Dismemberment followed the lethal stabbing.

The initial evidence..........

The suspects............I believe one of them looks a little more suspicious than the other.

I'm pretty sure it was a joint effort.

Done

I have started to wonder if maybe the reason I have been lousy at blogging is because, well, I'm kind of "done" blogging.  I've kind of dealt with my demons, got them off my chest and my mind and things are sorta great.  Now, if I can get rid of the facebook thing I'll be even better.  It's just a waste of time.  I do enjoy keeping in touch with friends, eh hem, but they can e-mail me if they want.  Now it's just a bunch of people stalking each other.  Except for the really good friends and family members.  Other than that, not much else than a waste of time.

As this has been! I have played with Dagwood throughout the entire blog so not a complete waste!

G'night!

Lousy

I have been lousy at blogging!  I had one I was going to do this last weekend and heck, I can't even remember what I was going to blog about! LOL

Dagwood is doing AWESOME!  He goes out on his own to poop and pee.  He sleeps through the night unless one of us gets up, then he has to also but he goes right back in his crate and goes back to sleep.  He and Marley are playing nightly.  Keiko and him play quite a bit but sometimes big brother needs a break!  What can I say, I have no actual children to blog about so you have to read about MY children!

I have recovered from surgery well.  The incisions still itch some but other than that I'm all good!  Still doing good off the medications and still only take a vitamin with supper each night.  Go me!!!

OH!!!  Now I know!!  I finally, FINALLY, completed painting the outside of the house!  I ran out of paint after we finished the front and sides and well, no one could see the back.  Well, you can never completely feel like you finished a job until you actually finish it so off I went and got paint Saturday morning.  Not how we expected to spend our Saturday.  We were going to watch scary movies but THANKFULLY my hubby came out and helped.  We spent FOUR hours painting.  My body ACHED.  Still does.  You can bet your booty we relaxed in the hot tub and it is OH SO NICE!!!  Every day I tense up in the evenings, don't know why. We can sit in the hot tub for 15 to 30 minutes and I am nice and relaxed for bed!  Will post a picture next blog!

I made two cheese balls tonight for a co-workers birthday tomorrow.  Love me some cheese ball!

Well, that's it for now.  Flexing this week to have Friday afternoon off so I am working an extra hour per day.  Monday I had to go in an hour early because I have violin after work.  That KICKED my butt!  Thankfully now I am doing 30 before and 30 after.  Have my second violin recital coming up.....must practice!

Still loving my job and loving it even more that my boss told me he was glad I was there.  As I told him, I am THRILLED I am there.

G'night!

Phooey

I'm not one to talk on the phone.  I like to do most my keeping in touch on-line.  I'm a victim of technology, yes. So, it's bad that I don't keep in touch.  I guess I am wrong to think that friends will know I'm there even if I don't always keep in touch.  Most the time I just go on about my day and think "Hey, I haven't talked to them in a while!"  I think I've lost a friend even though we haven't talked in a while.  I'm not "friend" worthy on FB, I know that.  It's hard because I don't have busy evenings like most do with families and such so I always feel like I'm intruding or interrupting.  Guess that's the price of a friendship.  Maybe I should just not give a damn and be intrusive anyway??  I hate doing that though.

Phooey.  Most definitely got my feelings hurt today.

A winner has been announced I suppose.  Congrats.

Celexa Update

It occurred to me last night why I couldn't find much information on Celexa withdrawal symptoms other than the first week or so.  Maybe it's because they go away and you don't have any reason to think about mentioning it, blogging it, or researching it.  So, for those of you who have visited my site for this reason, I will update.   I have had a lot of international visitors and assume this is why.  Of course, I still have have the regular old snoopers, and that's okay too.  It's public and that's their right.

I believe it was September 16th that I ran out of my prescription Celexa.  It was a Thursday and I first blogged about it on a Monday.  Tomorrow, October 28th, will be six weeks.  I almost view this as I do my quitting smoking; an accomplishment that deserves acknowledgement.  It won't be celebrated each year and I won't be marking it on my calendar but I remember almost daily when I don't have to take anything but a good ol' vitamin!

A few days ago I had a little bit of the "brain/eye lag" but that's about it.  I have had a few down moments when things have overwhelmed me but I bounced back.  Maybe not until I had a small pity party for myself, but I bounced back nevertheless.  I was pleasantly surprised today at one point when I was smiling and seemed like my old self, just without medication.  I was only on 20 mg a day but maybe this will help some understand their withdrawal symptoms.  Do I still suffer from depression?  I would have to say so.  That is something that will never go away.  You can't change your chemical make-up.

Does this mean everyone can stop taking their medication and do just fine?  NO!!!  Luckily, so far, I am able to deal with my depression.  I do think it's minor at the time.  I still can go from being happy as can be to thinking I am the most worthless thing in the world.  Split second.......so weird.  Rusty even asked how I did that [go from fine to hating myself].  I just can.  Doesn't take much to get someone down on themselves when they have such low self esteem to begin with.

So, for those of you that are trying to quit the grips of anti-depressants SAFELY; it does get better.  Everyone is different though.  My case is based on my body and my chemical make-up.  For those of you that are trying.........I wish you luck!

Beautiful Sleep

Yep, he's been a great boy lately.  Sleeping all night was our best thing last night!  Pooping and peeing outside is another great plus.  Marley is starting to come around also as she realizes he's not going anywhere.  Nightly walks are enjoyed by all...minus Keiko even though he'd love to go!  One big happy family!

Just Not Feeling It

I just haven't been feeling the blog lately.  Not sure why, but that's the case!  Let's see if I can update on a few things.....................

Celexa withdrawal is pretty much still gone.  I have the brain lag/sounds still but not as often.  My mood is definitely different.  I am not the outspoken, say what I think person I was.  I guess the Celexa gave me that care free attitude.  I feel like I am more quiet and reserved.  Guess that could be a good thing!

I struggled with side effects of surgery but thankfully that seems to be getting back to normal too.

Sunday we met Rusty's parents in Dodge City for lunch.  It was a nice visit.  Quick, but very nice.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous.  Wish there would have been more for us to do together but Dodge City just ain't got much!  To bad too.

Work is going great.  I have just had a hard time getting back into the swing of things since surgery.  I think getting up/woke up once a night for a potty run isn't helping.  All in good time.  The new pup.....Dagwood that is!!....is doing great!  Unfortunately, I think he believes he is supposed to poop in his crate.  Prior to us getting him he sat in a crate for 10 hours a day.  He knows no different!  He does great on the pee part.  He has learned to use the doggy door very well and loves playing with Keiko.  Marley is still in "this is my house" mode but she is slowly learning that he will be staying.  He's our type of dog.  Of course I can't wait until he gets trained and can snuggle with us at night!  Here's some pics of the cute little guy!

Welcome To Our Home

Three Years Smoke Free

Three years ago today I had my very last cigarette.  I have not had one drag, one puff, one anything since.
Some days, yes, I'd love to go out and get some.  I know where that would lead and I'm not ready to go there yet!!  Now, when I turn 70 I'm allowed to smoke again if I want!!  My wonderful husband sent me 3 roses to work for my 3 years.  As a co-worker told me "he is such a great guy!"  She's got that right!

My dad and his wife sent me flowers following my surgery.  They were awesome too!

Can't wait to use that mug for soup!

Monday Monday

Monday was nicer than usual today.  Could it be because a man named Christopher Columbus did something many years ago and warranted the mail not to run today??  Yep, I believe it could!  Even Saturday's mail was not enough to trump the good fortune today.

Long day, rough day getting back into the swing of things.  Lost my steri-strips on my belly button already.  I don't think I was supposed to yet.  Hoping it's okay!  Hate for that to bust open.  Ouch!  Still got some bruising and some pain but all in all, it's good.

Here's to another great nights sleep.  I'm loving that part!

It Wasn't My Time

Looks as though Thursday was not my day to go!  I'm alive and well.  In fact, everything is perfect.  Not the news I expected to hear, but I am happy with the results nevertheless.

I find it odd that I was completely at peace going in thinking that I may not come back out.  Maybe not odd, but interesting.  I honestly think that I am so completely satisfied with my life that I would be okay if this was it.  Are there lots more things I would like to do and see?  Sure.  But to know that at age 33 I am happy with my life thus far, that's a blessing.  So many people want, want want.  Of course I want, but I've been blessed so much already.

I had tears in my eyes as my husband left my side.  The thought that I may never see him again, yes that was sad.  But, enough about that!

I am so completely happy to say that my withdrawal symptoms are nearly gone.  Only once today have I had the brain lag thing.  I am sleeping so much better.  My taste buds have also changed a bit as in I no longer really crave Dr. Pepper or any pop for that matter.  I have reverted back to decaffeinated sweet tea.  I was drinking Kool-Aid for a bit but that even became too sweet.  After two weeks is up, I'll have to start the exercising.  Anywho, doing great off the Celexa and it is so awesome to be able to say I take no medications other than a vitamin and occasional RX anti inflammatory, no smoking, no drinking (maybe once a month or two), nothing to really count.  I'm a pretty clean gal!  Well, except for that extra 40 pounds I'm packing.  That will be my next thing to change in my life.  Hey, getting off the Celexa was a big one!!  It was a rough 2 weeks but so worth it!

This weekend is my 15th High School Reunion.  I am missing out on a few festivities today but I am going to make sure I make supper tomorrow night.  Then next weekend I get to hang out with my girlfriends Jen and Leigh.  Jen's sister is getting married.  Looking forward to that.

Sold our HUGE Christmas Tree on Nex-Tech Classifieds today.  We are going to downsize on that a bit.  It was a big one and oh so pretty, but big.  Also sold our flat screen entertainment center.  Sold both of those in less than 6 hours.  I was pumped!  It was a great deal so not so hard.

Well, I guess I'll let this do.  Nothing but blabbering now.  Not much to post about when you've done nothing but sit in a recliner with a heating pad!

Celexa And Surgery

Well, looks like I am on the downhill slide with the Celexa withdrawals.  I say that as tomorrow will be two weeks since my last dose.  I hope it doesn't hit me again!  I still have a small amount of brain lag and dizziness but that's about it.

Now, if I can make it through surgery tomorrow I'll be even better.  They are doing more than what I thought we had bargained for so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I don't feel good about it, the surgery or the outcome.  I have had a bad feeling for a while and as it draws near it only gets worse.

I guess you could say I'm scared.  I've been put out before but never have I had people go inside my body through incisions.  Ick!

If I survive, you'll see another post from me sometime this weekend maybe!  If not, I love you babe!

Why, Yes, I'm Still Alive!

Hello friends!  Here is a little update for y'all.

Two days ago, I got the tease of my life.  I woke up Tuesday morning and went to work and felt like a million bucks.  No back pain, no headache, no nausea, no dizziness, no brain lag......NOTHING.  It has been years since I felt like that!  What a taste of the good life.  Then the afternoon rolled in.  The way I put it to my husband...."I feel like life just gave me the biggest tease.  Life can suck it".  I wanted to cry.  I don't cry.  It takes quite a bit to make me cry.  Most generally I never cry from pain, I've dealt with that too much.  I will cry if I am extremely angry and I mean pissed beyond imagination.  That afternoon, I just wanted to be alone and bawl my little eyes out.

Yes, the brain lag is back.  Right there along with the dizziness.  Thank goodness the nausea is completely gone. I have realized that I do not need to drive at night until the brain lag clears up.  Moving my head back and forth to check for cars just sends my head in a tailspin and at night with not being able to see well; it's kind of scary.  Yesterday I had HORRIBLE back pain but I am happy that is better today.  Thank goodness for our hot tub.  Even just 15 minutes makes a huge difference.

I am not giving up.  I will not get back on the Celexa.  I loved the feeling I had Tuesday morning knowing my body was free of any medication.  I also very seldom drink a Dr. Pepper during the day or even at home.  Mostly if we go out to eat.  That feels great too.  Something changed in my taste buds I guess when I quit the medication.  Things will turn around, I have no doubt.  I just have to be patient and allow my body to adjust.

Work is going excellent.  This has been one of my two busiest months and I have stayed right on top of it.  So excited about that.  I decorated my desk for Halloween today after work so that will be a nice change of scenery for a bit.

Tonight we stopped by to see Staci and Mr. Kaden and was blessed to get to see Trina and her bunch!  It was nice to allow them to be able to almost completely eat supper while Rusty and I watched the littlest ones.

Now we are home, enjoying the awesome weather and getting ready to hit the hay.  I still love the great sleep I'm getting.  Just ready for the exhaustion part of this to end.  Well, I'm ready for all of it to end but ya know!

I'll be patient because it's gonna be awesome!

Celexa Withdrawal

Yep, I have had withdrawal symptoms from stopping my medication that I quit cold turkey.  I call it brain lag or eye lag.  It's like your eyes move a tad bit slower than your head.  Or your brain doesn't register things you see near as fast.  There's also a sound when this happens followed by dizziness.  Sometimes I feel like I am actually drunk.  It's not a good feeling though.  I have also had severe exhaustion.  This Thursday will have been two weeks since I stopped the medication.  I am very hopeful it gets better soon.  I was nauseous the first week, glad that's gone.

I had made the mistake of stopping drinking Dr. Pepper or any caffeine also.  It really had just stopped tasting good.  Today was my third day without and I started to get a migraine.  That along with the medication withdrawal was a little more than I could handle.  I had half of a can of pop at work and it helped.  I also had a glass at supper tonight with some classmates.  It definitely took away the headache.  Unfortunately, the dizziness, brain lag and sounds continue.

One great thing is that I have been sleeping like a baby.  Lots of dreams and I am still exhausted, but sleeping good.  It is very frustrating to wake up from sleeping great and still be exhausted.  Today my dizziness started before I even got out of bed and that was frustrating.

I don't cry very often from pain or not feeling well, but I got tears in my eyes at my desk today because I felt horrible.  Absolutely awful.  I left a heap of work on my desk as it was a true Monday, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and getting caught up.

I was not looking forward to violin practice followed by a meeting for our 15 year reunion.  Violin practice went really well and I found myself escaping through my music.  It is much more rewarding when you feel like you are playing music and not just screeching a bow across some strings.  Afterwards, I came home and changed and met my classmates at Gutch's.  I enjoyed a nice visit with them.  It was when I got into the car that I realized driving at night is probably not good right now with my brain/eye lag.  I will definitely be trying to avoid that until this clears up, which I hope is soon.

My husband suggested getting back on the medication if it was too much.  Folks, I didn't come this far to quit.  I haven't suffered for a week and a half to quit.  If I can quit smoking, I can quit this.  My fuses are a little shorter but I am having to teach myself to handle it differently.  I think some people can deal with frustration, rudeness and ignorance better than others.  Some are so easy to let things go and think others should be able to also.  We are all different and we all deal with things differently.  I truly believe that my fuses are shorter than most and my husband can prove that.  He is able to let things roll off of him most of the time.  I am trying to learn this technique.  Please don't assume it's the same for everyone.  It's not.

For the moment, I am relaxed and feel peaceful.  I'll take it whenever I can get it.

Lastly, I love my husband!

Deep Breath

Some of the urges to smack the shit out of people has returned.  Deep breath!!! lol

It's No Secret

I suffer from depression.  Anyone who reads this blog would know that.  I have posted deep, dark poems.  Blogs of happy, sad and in between.  Depression runs in my family and it runs deep.  Not just mild depression where you have a day or two every once in a while where you want to just tell the world to "f" off.  Sometimes it's weeks on end.

My mother asked me once if I was happy.  This was about 3 months or so ago.  I know she asked me because of this blog and some of the things I post.  Me being unhappy couldn't be farther from the truth.  That's the thing about depression.  You can have everything your heart desires and you can still find yourself in that deep, dark hole wishing you didn't exist.  I am happy.  I am beyond happy.  I live in a town that I used to have dreams of moving back to.  I have a husband that is absolutely the most amazing man in the world.  No matter how much you think you have the best one, let's compare notes.  Our relationship will blow you away.  I have an awesome job that I enjoy each and every day.  I have a beautiful home in which I find complete comfort.  In my books, I damn near have it all.

So, you ask, how can you be depressed?

There's no way to explain it unless you have dealt with it yourself.  It's just like the smoking issue.  DO NOT give me advice on something you have no clue about.  I first started taking a real mild anti-depressant about 10 years or so ago.  I visited with my doctor and told him that I had a few choice words for anyone that looked at me.  I worked at a hospital in Oklahoma and as I would walk down the hall and have people smile at me my thoughts weren't good thoughts.  They were more along the line of "What the hell are you smiling about?"  And this was the attitude towards everything and everyone.  So, he prescribed a mild anti-depressant.  I have pretty much been on the same thing ever since.  I have never taken any of that strong crap like Paxil or Prozac.  Just a little something to keep me from biting someones head off...........or knocking the ever loving shit out of them.  For some of you that have crossed my path in the past, it's a very good thing I was taking my medication.  I don't know if I could have controlled myself or my words!  Within the last year, though, things have changed and I find myself in more favorable situations on a daily basis.  When you are happy with your job, it helps.  Eight hours of misery each day does not make life pleasant at all.  My job is a blessing.  Sure, some days are tough and busy where you thought you were going to get certain things done and you don't even get to touch them.  That's the type of business I'm in.  I wouldn't change it for a thing.  I also have a new found patience for dealing with immature, selfish people.  If that's how you want to be, so be it.  Whatever floats your boat because you aren't gonna be a passenger on mine.  I only share this as an outlet for me and insight into the posts I make on this blog.

I have run out of my medication that I take for my depression.  The doctor I had here in town has left and I don't have a regular family physician.  I was going to call in and see if I could get a refill until I could get in to a new doctor but I have decided to go without.  I am trying to be positive and tell myself I can do this.  Then something occurred to me.

What if I don't like who I am?  What if I am not the person I thought I was all along?  Who am I?

We will soon find out.  I am excited to see if I feel better, if I sleep better, and if other aspects of my life that I thought I needed medication to deal with are actually better.  Saturday was rough, Sunday was too.  Today, surprisingly good.  I almost feel at peace.  It's almost as if I have free'd myself of something.  Something that was holding me back and stopping me.  My mind felt clearer today and calmer.

Of course, as anyone who suffers from depression knows, this can change in an instant.

It's Not Raining Outside

but it's raining inside.

It's raining in my world.  I was hoping the weather wouldn't change; that I'd be okay without my umbrella but I'm getting soaked pretty good.  Can I change it?  Can I control it?

I don't feel like I can control anything.  Only my mind is in control and it's raining there.

I hope it doesn't storm.

Thought For The Day

Sometimes I figure PRN means "pretty much never"!  Sometimes, just sometimes, I'm right.


It's funny how initials can have different meanings.  Like FML..........I first learned that FML meant "f&^k my life".  Then at an ophthalmologists office it means Fluorometholone.  At my current place of employment, it means file maintenance loss (more so, loss file maintenance).


Anywho, the whole PRN thing was pretty funny to me.  


Having a great week and hoping you all do the same!

Dear................

Inventor of the hot tub.............I love you!  So does my achy back and stiff neck!  Here are a few videos from our trip.  P. S.  You can make the videos full screen by clicking on the bottom right of each video box after you hit play!

First are the bears playing around.  They were so entertaining!  We went first thing in the am and it was still nice and cool.

Then when we were at our Chuckwagon Supper they had a violinist that was amazing.  I swear this video looks in fast-forward and SHE even looked fast-forward in person!  My violin teacher says I'll be able to do this someday.  I hope she's right!

Our Love is Amazing

We are home from our trip and had a great time.  Even better was having that extra day off of work to get caught up on laundry, house stuff and REST!  We got the hot tub filled and had a nice hot soak (104 degrees!!). There are way too many pictures to post but I will post a few.............

The monument was so much more than I expected.  It was beautiful and breathtaking.

George Washington played peek-a-boo with me!

North By Northwest was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starred Cary Grant.  I remember watching this movie with my dad.  Need to treat Rusty to a viewing now!

Bear Country USA was great!  Adult bears were allowed to roam free around your car and the "children" were separate.

 Beautiful big horn sheep.

Just taking a friendly stroll.....

The happy couple 8 years later.

Bliss

Not much to it when the rally isn't going on!

Deadwood, South Dakota

The relaxing hot tub looking over the city that was at our motel.

This was way more amazing than we expected!

This was a great vacation.  Looking forward to next years trip to Ohio!

And Now We Made It!

Just a quick update as I will have lots more to blog about but we have made it to South Dakota!  Our 8th Anniversary is Tuesday so we took advantage of the long weekend to get away.

At Carhenge in Nebraska

In South Dakota

That's what we came for!  Well, two of the things anyway!

Me and my baby!

Crazy Horse Monument

Lots more to come as this is only our first day here!  Have a great long weekend!

He Made It

Still need water in it and the electrical switched to a 220, but Rusty made it home safe and sound.  This was a tough move!  Thanks to friends and family for all their help!  It is a lot bigger than I remember it being.

Proof that I STILL have to paint the back of the house too!  I'll get on that when I can soak in my hot tub afterwards.  :o)

Amazement

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No matter how much you dislike spiders, the sheer magic of seeing one dance in the sky on what looks like nothing, then view the masterpiece in the morning before it is whisked away only to return the next night to do it all over again. The extreme amount of work that goes into it. Remember, they are ALL God's creatures

Busy Girl

Wow, so I need to catch up on "Girls Weekend 2010" and our trip to Oklahoma this past weekend for the Fantasy Football Draft for Rusty and for my early birthday celebration with my Dad, complete with cake and all.  BEFORE I can blog, I have a very important test on Friday and I get to do NOTHING but study this week.

So, until then have a great week!

For Becca

Ok, I finally got to talk to Becca tonight!!!!  A quick blog for her because my previous pic was a little dark so here is another comparison.  Becca...me and you got to get together!!!

This picture is before we even got to move in.

Next is an after taken today.  Plants are looking horrid due to weather (and us being gone a lot and not able to water much).  Either way.........we LOVE it!  Now if the grass would grow where we did our landscaping.

Here is a picture of the landscaping that was done around the tree and mailbox.  I don't have much of a before so you'll just have to wing it!

This area was edged in that red edging and all filled in with rock.  It was horrible.

Waited a year for these changes!  Can't wait to tackle the garage and then the kitchen!  I'm off for a 3 night girls trip!  See ya!

Hello

Once again, I haven't blogged when lots has happened.  Well, lots for us.

I went out this weekend for a bachelorette party and actually went to a bar.  Been a while since I had been dancing and I sure do miss it.  We had a great time and there are pics to come.

This weekend I have a girls trip coming up and we are heading to the lake.  Gonna have so much fun!

I need to post a better picture of the house comparison.  I noticed the "after" is dark and it's been clicked on a couple of times...so for those looking closer I'll update soon.  Yeah, soon I say but we'll see!

So, it's been a while!!  You are in for a long, long blog (as in length) of pictures!  Above was the 4th of July.  We went up on the roof and watched all the different shows.  Even Marley came with!  It was gorgeous weather for it.

Here is a body pillow case that I made.  We have no pattern in our bedroom and our duvet cover, bed skirt and curtains are all chocolate brown.  So, I added a splash of color!  I am looking to do scarves for the windows but the fabric is kind of expensive!  I don't think Rusty is too keen with the fabric but I LIKE it!

Rusty and I headed to Colorado this last weekend for a small getaway.  Well, the Cubs were there and that was our main reason! LOL  The mountains were beautiful as always but it was a little cloudy as you will see below.

This is me touching clouds......literally.  It was awesome!

This is how cloudy it was.  Rusty's window was down and this is what you could see!  Made the trek up the mountain a lot more difficult especially with NO guard rails!

Me with my "head in the clouds".  Again, LITERALLY.  The air was so thin up there and it was so cold!

My handsome guy with mountain goats in the back ground.  They walked right up to him close enough for him to touch but he didn't.

He just smiled nicely at them.  :o)

So, I didn't know these were up in the mountains???

43 degrees at an elevation of 14,191 feet!!  Heck of a lot better than the 100 plus here in Hays!

This was not even the most obscured spot!  There were times it was pretty scary!

He was very pretty.  We saw two right next to each other.

Where'd you get your tattoo??  That Scary Place.  Bahahahaha!!  I thought this was pretty funny.

Damn, and I forgot my prescription!  This was a first for me.  We actual saw two.

I am a firm believer after seeing this monkey play with his "thingy" in front of everyone that men really are direct descendants of apes! I honestly think he and the other one had just gotten finished doing their thing.  This was at the Denver Zoo.

This giraffe just stood there licking the same spot on the wall over and over.

Ok, we know what happens to womens boobies when they get old.  Now we all know what happens to camels humps!!!  Again......hilarious!

After the zoo and too much walking, we headed to Coors Field for the Rockies/Cubbies game.  Beautiful night for a game!

This is bliss for me.  Seeing my baby at a major league baseball field doing what he loves.  Even better, I'm right there next to him.  Of course, the Cubs didn't win but we aren't bandwagon fans.  Die hard fans is what we are.

This is what Marley did when we got home.  I have no doubt she enjoyed her time with Aunt Renee checking in on her and so forth, but she just completely relaxed and zonked out!!  Our poor baby girl!

Daddy spent some money on Bubba to try and get him to chill out at night.  This is the "Kitty City" we got this weekend.  You can add different pieces to it.  The bottom is a little hidey area.  We are going to get a couple more pieces for it.  He loves it and Marley even uses it too!  Silly girl.


Last but not least......we completed most of the projects for the house that we are going to do this year I believe so after much waiting......here is what we accomplished.  It looks completely different and I love it every time I pull up to the driveway.  You can't really tell the landscaping we did around the tree and the mailbox but the grass is still growing in there anyway.  Can't wait for next spring to get my plants in sooner and have them last longer!