Catching Up!

So - there has been lots and lots of things that have happened since I last got the chance to blog!

Christmas was wonderful! We got up at 6 for presents. I got Christmas Breakfast in the oven and we started. The kids totally enjoyed both the giving and the receiving. I too enjoyed myself. I tell ya, there isn't much that gets better than watching your kids faces light up in pure joy! I'm too lazy to post pictures right now, but I did take them! After presents and breakfast we started gathering things to get ready to go to Ocean Shores to visit Grandma and Grandpa Shaffer - (the almost ex's dad and step mom). They have been great, and very supportive through the whole divorce situation, and made me feel totally comfortable about going for Christmas. It was nice. We stayed for a few days, came back Thursday afternoon.

Friday morning I had an apointment at the college. I am now officially a college student!!!!!!!!!!! I could scream from excitement as much as fear at this point! I am in a computer class that will last the whole quarter - it starts in just over a week! It will be an evening class, and worked out perfectly because they are on the days where the almost ex has the kids anyawy. The other classes start on the 24th. After the apointment I went to registration, and then to the book store to get the books I'd need for all the classes. I can't believe I have COLLEGE BOOKS! I can't believe that I've added more to my already busy schedule....I can't spend too much time thinking about it or I become overwhelmed. But, I'm sure it will all work out fine. I'm as excited as I am nervous.

That brings us to today. My anniversary... So far I've done MUCH better than I thought I would. I've been busy all day - which has helped. First thing this morning I had some people come over to look at and buy my parrot. Yes, I sold him. I'm not gonna say too much about it cause I really don't want to cry again, but it was for the best. With all the things I'm busy doing I wasn't able to provide for him like I should have been, and it was kinda a chance thing that I found the people that I did to take him. I feel relief in that - but my house is SO quiet now... I miss him already.

After that, the kids and I went over to Chris and Molly's house for thier visit with their boys. It was the first visit they've been able to have in Port Orchard at their own house in almost a year! All the kids had a blast! I also was able to catch up with a friend of mine from high school - well actually from Jr. High! We lived across the street from eachother during our teenage years and I haven't seen her since Gabe was a baby! It has made for a enjoyable day!

Now we're home, winding down from the day. I've been looking forward to posting for a few days now, but never finding the time. I actually don't have the time right now either - but I'm procrastinating a talk I have to give in sacrament meeting tomorrow. I've got most of it done, but I want some finishing touches. And I need to make a few parts flow a little better. I'm totally stressed over it - and the more I think about it the more nauseaous I feel. I seriously could puke just from thinking about it.... I hate speaking in front of people...

So - there ya have it - that is what I've been up to! I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas holiday, and I'm looking forward to having time to read blogs too (which I haven't done in days either!)

Google Reader

Just in case there is someone out there that doesn't know (come on - I can't be the ONLY one that recently found out, can I??) I wanted to make sure you got a chance to hear about how cool Google Reader is. It is a way that you can keep up with people's blogs! It probably does other cool stuff too - but I have added the blogs that I read into it and only have to check the google reader page to see if there are new posts! I don't have to check every person's page!! How cool is that???

So - in case you are not as up to date as some of us (me included!! LOL) - now you are! =)

Coolest Razor!

Ok - this is a silly kinda post, but when you find something that's worth telling people about I try to share.

So, I've discovered a razor. It's my favorite razor EVER (if one really can have a favorite razor). I got coupons for it in the mail one time, that basically made it free, so I tried it.

Ok - I tried to type on the side of the picture...but apparently I'm not working things quite right. I also tried putting the pictures side by side... I'm not computer literate today I guess. Weird. Anyway, back to the razor...

So, I decided to try this thing out - mostly to once again prove (to who??) that razors with silly shave bars, or aloe strips or lotion strips or whatever they call em are TOTALLY pointless. I've never noticed a difference with those things, and really doubted I ever would. So, since it was basically a freebie I figured "why not".

The shave gel bars actually work! I'm shocked, really. You just get them wet for a second, and shave as you normally would - minus any shaving cream or soap! They of course are a bit more pricey than a cheap Bic is - but then I'm not buying shaving cream anymore and I figure it mostly evens out in the long run. Plus, I have softer, less irritated skin after shaving.

So - a Merry Christmas post about razors...that's a new one! hehe I'd been meaning to do it for a while now - and why I found time to do it tonight (or remembered!) is beyond me.

It's here!

Merry Christmas!!!

I can't believe it's here - ALREADY!

I've made "Christmas Breakfast" and it's in the fridge. (Have I told you all how GOOD it is??)And the best part is you make it up the night before, put it in the oven as you start the present opening, and then poof - when you're done there is a warm breakfast ready that you didn't have to put any time into making that morning!

We're about to start our Christmas Eve traditions. New PJ's, opening one present, reading the Christmas story, reading The Night Before Christmas - and any other books the kiddos want to hear for the evening.

I feel like a kid again, all giddy and giggly - I can't wait till the kids go to bed and I can turn into you-know-who. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and see the smiles on the kids faces. The light in their eyes. And share in the wonderful joy of GIVING. Circumstances being what they are, it's been a wonderful Christmas season. Suprisingly so, but wonderful none the less. I know I've said it before, but it's so true. I'm so grateful for my blessings. For wonderful friends and family. For my kids. For the joy we can find in the simple things. For the blessings that surround us all, especially in our hardest trials. They are there, we just have to find them! I'm amazed at how many there can be.

Merry Christmas my friends. I love you guys!!

Christmas Goodies

So - I finally got my favorite Christmas goodies made!! I did some last week, my peanut brittle and toffee (I think I blogged about it...) and yesterday I made my almond clusters, and chocolate pretzels.

Lucy and I did these treats while the boys were at school. Goofy Girl!



After the boys got home from school, we got things ready to do our annual "Christmas Trains". It is one tradition that the kids and I have done for a few years now, and they just LOVE it. We make up the trains, then take them out to friends houses, sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and leave them with the goodies. It's great. This year, I FINALLY remembered to take a picture of one of the trains. I always tell myself that I'm going to, but always remember. Actually, I almost forgot this year too...We'd dropped off the last train, said our goodbye's and gotten back in the car to leave. Then, I remembered pictures!!!! I ran back to the door, knocked again and asked for a picture! I got to it just in time - the kids were hovering and almost ready to have their way with it!! *hehe



So, I know I keep saying it - but I am SO loving this Christmas season!!!

Gold in my nose!

So, I've made it through my carreer as a mother thus far without ever having a situation where one of my children has gotten something small stuck in a nose or an ear. I figured, being that my kiddos are now past that stage (or so I thought) that I would never have that experience. Wrong. 5 1/2 year olds still posess the curiosioty I guess to find out what happens when you put a small thing in your nose. Guess what. It gets stuck.

At Lucy's school party yesterday, one of her little friends gave her 2 of these small red beads. She, being the all knowing soul that she is, insists that they are GOLD. There is no convincing her otherwise. Being that she is 5 1/2, and never been one to have a problem with small items I didn't mind at all that she's carried (for over 24 hours now) around these little treasures (and slept with them under her pillow). So, today as I'm coming down the stairs and she is coming up I notice she is crying. It startles me because I didn't hear any calamity, and she was happy just a moment ago. I ask what's wrong and she tells me "there's gold in my nose". She tells me that she stuck it up there and then tried to get it out (which of course pushes it only farther!) It hurts her a little she says, but I think the tears were more of a scared thing. She was worried it would be up there forever, worried that I would be mad, worried she'd have to go to the doctors...

After a quick glance with the flashlight, a kleenex and a blow of the nose - poof! There is now no more gold in her nose. I console her a little longer, ask her if she is okay. Yep.

Me: "You scared me"
Lucy: "I scared me too"

I don't think she'll be putting gold in her nose any time in the future. =)

Time

It just moves way the heck too fast. I mean, really - can it really be only 7 days till Christmas?? Wasn't it just Halloween? Wasn't it just Thanksgiving? Wasn't I just starting to play Christmas music and decorate the house? Don't get me wrong - I am LOVING the season, more so than any year previous I think, it is just moving way too fast!!

I think another part of me is really dreading it being over. My 13th wedding anniversary is on the 29th. I'm officially still married. It will still be an official anniversary. And BOY OH BOY...I must admit that I have a HUGE amount of feelings and emotions that are associated with it. If there has ever been a time I wished I could skip over a day - this would be it. I'm trying to figure out a plan to keep busy on that day. To do something fun with the kids, or have stuff to do - keep busy and keep the time moving fast. I haven't come up with any genius plans, so if you have one, pass it on! =)

Me...busy??

Ok - so I got caught this afternoon. After my last blog about everyone being busy and me having nothing to read that afternoon I haven't blogged since...and I got caught. So I figured I better get my behind on here and figure something out to say! =P

It's been a pretty busy week. But, whose hasn't?? Getting everything ready for our enrichment meeting took up the first part of the week. It went really well and I think every one that attended had an enjoyable time. The food was good too - thanks to Heidi's crazy desire to cook 5 (yes FIVE!) lasagnas. Well, I guess she didn't COOK them, but she put them all together so that other people could throw them in the oven while she helped Laura and I decorate the gym. I wish I'd taken pictures - it was very pretty!

Which reminds me - I got my camera back from the shop (YAY warranty's!) so hopefully I'll get used to using it agian!

Friday I had an apointment at the Women's Center at Olympic College. They have a program where they get you funding for a set of classes that help you get on the road to going to school. There are classes on Academic Success, Psychology and Career Planning classes, as well as a college orientation class. All in all it will equal 5 credits! I'm very excited - but very nervous too...I haven't ever been to college. I haven't been to school in a LONG time. It's a huge step, and one that I'm ready for, but nervous about. The down side - I'm gonna have to have help with Lucy on a few days each week... but, I'll cross that bridge as I get closer to it.

And, that brings us to today! I got to go to a wonderful brunch with my friends. I was reminded again how grateful I am to live here, in this wonderful place with such wonderful people around me. My thoughts about moving to Utah to be close to family disapear completely during these times, and I wonder just where it is that I am suposed to be.

And, now we're at Saturday evening. After a fun filled day we're gonna settle in with a movie and some popcorn! Hopefully this week will be a little less busy (ha ha!) and I'll have more of a chance to blog!

Are you busy?

You couldn't possibly be - could you?? Not at this time of year! Impossible!

Okay blogger friends - I've gone a whole day without being able to read any of your blogs!! Where are you? What are you up to? What fun things are you guys doing to enjoy this wonderful time of year??

For me, that is easy. I am busy, for sure! But, I am really enjoying this Christmas season. We had our ward Christmas party last Friday night, and while it wasn't the best I've ever attended it wasn't the worst either. Basically we had dinner and some singing and a short presentation by the primary kids - a BEAUTIFUL song called "Could I hold the baby" - which I've gotten a copy of the music and have learned to play (with mistakes here and there, but I'm getting better!)

Besides that I've been enjoying my Christmas music more this year than before. Maybe it's because it's that the almost ex (who does NOT enjoy this holiday season) isn't around and I am more free to listen to Christmas music both at home and in the car.

I haven't gotten to any holiday making of treats yet...I keep thinking "I should do that today" but it never seems to happen. I wonder why! I should actually do it tonight, now that the kids are in bed, but I'm just too tuckered out from the day. I'm feeling less sick, and I didn't have to take any of the muscle relaxers for my neck today, and my cold didn't get any worse (maybe I can beat it!) so I think I'm just gonna enjoy relaxing a little tonight (while printing minutes and agendas for my next RS Presidency meeting and reports for the kids homework). I'll find time for it - Christmas just wouldn't be the same with out English Toffee and Peanut Brittle to remind me of home.

I'm also very much enjoying our family tradition of reading Christmas stories every night before bed. In years past we've just had a small collection of winter/Christmas books to read from - but the collection keeps growing each year and we have a good selection this time around. We also have a book called "The 24 days of Christmas" which has a scripture, a song, and a story for each day in December. We've never done more than a handful of days from this book - partly because of time, partly because of poor memories, partly because the kids weren't old enough, partly because of the almost ex. But this year we are doing it. We read the scripture, then gather at the piano while I plunk out just the melody of the song while we sing, then we read the story. After that we read one of our Christmas books. It can make for a long night of reading (maybe that is why my throat is more scratchy feeling than normal, huh??) but I have really enjoyed sharing some wonderful stories with the kids. And, they don't really know any of the Christmas songs, (most are from hymns) so this is a really good way for them to learn them.

All in all, I'm very much enjoying the Spirit of the Season. I know that it is a crazy busy time for everyone, but please don't forget to stop, take a breath, and enjoy it! There is a reason for the season (such a cliche!) but I think we can sometimes get so caught up in the hoop-la that we forget that it really can be an enjoyable experience!

Merry Christmas! (Now, get on your blogs and share with me!!)

The Flower and the Butterfly

I got this as an email forward, but I really liked it. Kinda fits the theme of my feelings the last few days. Also kinda fits some things I've been talking to people about. Here it is.

The Flower and the Butterfly

Once there was a man that asked God for a flower and a butterfly.

But instead, God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar.

The man was sad. He didn't understand why his request was mistaken.

Then he thought, oh well, God has too many people to care for...

And he decided not to question.

After some time, the man went to check up on his requests that he had left forgotten.

To his surprise, from the thorny and ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown.

And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.

God always does things right!

His way is always the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong.

If you asked God for one thing, and received another - TRUST.

You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.

What you want is not always what you need.

God never fails to grant our petitions,

so keep on going for Him without doubting or murmuring.

Today's thorn is tomorrow's flower!

Nice huh? I liked it.

And, on another good note - GO HAWKS!! We won today's game, which makes us the NFC West Champs again! 4 years in a row now! WOOT!

Pain in the neck...

and in my head too... And to top it off, I think I'm starting in on a cold. My throat has that itchy scratchy feeling this evening...

My neck and back pain have been worse this season that last year... I had really hoped that after loosing weight and being more active that those issues would be gone. All gone. But, they seem to be here still, just as present as ever before. And, not being much of a pill person, or a doctor person for that matter, doesn't really go hand in hand with having pain all the time... I suppose it's probably time for apointment, especially since I'll be loosing health insurance after the divorce...

So, I'm cuddled up on the couch, catching the Seahawks game I recorded, covered with a blanket (of course! I'm cold!) and enjoying just relaxing for a little while. I'm hoping to feel better in the morning - I was really looking forward to basketball.

'Tis the season

'Tis the season for being grateful - still!

I am grateful for so many things. I have SO many blessings, I can't even begin to count them. And I'm so grateful that in this time of trial, this time of massive upheaval in my life that I can still see them. I can't even begin to be grateful for that.

I am grateful for a good family and good friends. What a wonderful group of people I am surrounded by. Great support, wonderful friendship! I couldn't ask for better! I wish you each knew what you mean to me.

I am grateful for the gospel. For my knowledge of my Savior. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to become more like Christ - in my words and in my actions. I have grown so much lately, in so many ways. I'm grateful to be moving in the right direction, to be on the right path and progressing on it, rather than being stagnant or moving backwards.

I could go on and on forever...but those are the highlights this night. As my pillow calls my name (more loudly now than an hour ago) I thank my Father in Heaven for all that I have, and thank you guys for being the wonderful people that you are. *HUGS*

I hate emotions.

And I hate crying. Why is it that I can be fine, totally fine all week long, then, the almost ex comes for a visit and I turn into a blubbering fool? I've tried to spare you all the blubbering - but I guess today you get to hear it. Although I'm tempted to just erase all this...

I just wish I didn't have any feelings at all sometimes. Wish I could just turn them off like a light switch...and leave them off. Forever.

Ok. Enough of that.

On a good note we got our Christmas tree put up and decorated over the last few days. Maybe that's where some of the emotions come from...I saved out all of the almost ex's ornaments (we each get a new one every year) to see if he wanted them...there are so many memories, just in the ornaments... Anyway, the tree is up, and our tradition of reading Christmas stories and singing Christmas songs every night has gone really well. I love taking that time with my kids before bed. They seem to love it as well.

On another good note BJ had a great birthday today. I woke him up with a quiet version of "Happy Birthday to you" and a hug. We had our scripture time and then off to school. I surprised him in the middle of the day with cupcakes at his class (which makes me want to get on my soap box about the schools not allowing home made goodies in the class room and the cost of store made cupcakes...geesh!). After school was time for presents. After dinner was cake - chocolate with cream cheese frosting with chocolate frosting decorations/words. Kinda a weird mix, but it actually worked nicely together. I can't believe he's 10...

Snow Day

So - after posting about the rain, I felt kinda bad that I didn't post about the snow. I even took pictures - which is more amazing because my camera is broken and sent out to the shop for repair (thank goodness for a warranty) so all I have is my cell phone camera. But, it takes an okay picture.



We went to Costco for lunch (and some shopping) and while we were there the snow really started coming down - we had to take a break between the eating and the shopping to play in it for a minute:

Then, the kids HAD to play in it when we got home. They had fun jumping on the trampoline when it was covered in snow. hehe

I feel better now. =)

Rain, rain go away?

So, the snow is gone - (I didn't even blog about it!) and the rain is here. It's been a wet and wild day today. The schools even canceled all after school activities so Gabe misses out on basketball practice. He didn't seem TOO disapointed, but I think that's cause he knows he has league practice tomorrow...

So - I picked up the boys from school, anticipating the torrential down pour to continue...but as I'm picking them up, it stops. Not that I'm complaining. I need to run to Jo-Anns for a quick thing, so we head for the store, going around the round-a-bout the road is closed going up to the stores...what?? So, me in all my curiosioty drove into the neighboring parking lot to see what all the fuss was about. We even parked to get a closer look - see... it was worth being curious about. Half the street is MISSING!

The kids were amazed. Heck, I was amazed. There was so much of the ground missing - and so much rushing water inside the hole. So - no one plan a trip to Jo-Ann's anytime soon - I doubt you'll make it to the parking lot!

Edited to add info from a news site I found. From the Kitsap Sun: "The worst damage thus far in Port Orchard is a 50-foot long by 30-foot wide and 20-foot deep sinkhole near the Hi-Point Shopping Center, next to Hi-Joy Bowl. A broken stormwater at the north entrance to the shopping center caused by heavy flow. A city water line has been shut off to avoid adding additional water to the damage, leaving no water at the Hi-Joy Bowl."

Paperwork....

First of all, I suppose I should start this off by letting you know that YES! I am indeed still alive. I have had a few emails and phone calls wondering about my well-being. I am alive. I am even doing good. I am just busy!!

It is the last week of the month - which means, for me as the Relief Society secretary, I am super busy. Even if you subtract any other expectations on my time. This is the week I pull together the calendar and the newsletter for the upcoming month. I also make weekly reminder handouts. And, our December Enrichment Meeting is coming up on the 12th, for which I volunteered (what, am I crazy?!?) to make the invitation hand outs and the sign up sheets for the dinner we'll be having. Really - they haven't been that hard. (And I'm not just saying that because half of the Enrichment board reads my blog.) =) I have had fun learning the ins and outs of a new program that is super cool for this kind of thing. So - all in all, I'm getting it done - it's just been time consuming.

Another part of my life that is keeping me busy is that Gabe is playing basketball. He was selected to be on the school team this year! It is very exciting. They have practice twice a week (Mon and Wed) and the first two Saturday's in January will be tournament games against the other elementary schools in the area. He's very excited! Also, he is signed up to play league ball. Practices started last night (Thurs) and we have another one tomorrow (Sat). We should get the schedule of the regular practice times at tomorrows practice. The coach mentioned Tues and Thurs. Works great for me - except those are "the almost ex's" nights with the kids so we'll have to do some schedule tweaking or something...something to be figured out later when my brain isn't running a hundred miles an hour on all this RS stuff! I'm just glad that BJ's league practices/games don't start up until March! I can't imagine adding that to the schedule too.

Now - on to the reason I titled this entry Paperwork. I went to the courthouse this morning and filed the paperwork for the divorce...*sigh* It was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I am all sorts of emotional about it. Mad and sad and hurt; frustrated, relieved, nervous, lonely, weepy, excited...I've run through every emotion I can think of I think. All of that aside though, I am happy to have the 90 day clock started. The court date is set for the 4th of March. Then, it will be final....

So, I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off. We're having a pizza and popcorn party. We're playing games and picking out a movie. Work will always be waiting for me after the kiddos go to bed! Peperoni/Pineapple - here I come! YUM!!!

Isn't it amazing...

Isn't it amazing what a good nights sleep will do for you? Especially when it is coupled by happy children in the morning??

This morning I have a happy spirit. I couldn't tell you exactly why - seeing that there is a lot of stress in my life at the moment - but none-the-less, I am happy.

I love that our family is able to get up and read the scriptures together. We have our family prayers before hand, and then read. I'd love to say that it starts every day off just right - but when you have children to get ready to go to school (especially children that butt heads as much as my 3 do, but that's a different post...) there is no way that every day can start off "just right". I can say that reading in the mornings gives the day the spirit it should. My attitude and my mind set - my heart - are in the right place most of the time.

Anyway - this morning. My children are all happy. They are singing and dancing and playing together as they get ready for school. This is rare. This makes me happy.

I am also overwhelmingly grateful that I get to go play basketball this morning. I love getting together with the girls, getting to see people who a year ago I didn't know, but today can count as some of my closest friends. I love being able to get some exercise in, and thus be even more ready for a full day.

I suppose maybe it has something to do with Thansgiving coming closer - but I've been thinking about it all month and havne't felt like this. I don't know. It's kinda a "walking on sunshine" feeling.

So, I guess the long and the short of it is that I'm grateful to be alive. Trials and all. I could list a million things I'm grateful for, and it wouldn't be enough.

Another Quirk

I thought of another quirk today, and figured since I'd shared already, I could share again. LOL It's probably the most common quirk too, and why I didn't think of it yesterday, I don't know. But waiting in line at the drive thru teller at the bank today reminded me.

I am WAY curious. About everything. I think part of it comes from the desire to know things, but usually the curiosioty goes beyond learning anything. I freely admit to being a rubber-necker at an accident site. I wonder what happened, how it happened, who was involved, if they are okay, what happens to their cars, what happens to their lives...If I could sit and watch what happens, I would.

I get curious when I see a police car, or ambulance - where are they going? Is it a serious thing they are going to? I'm tempted EVERYTIME to follow them, although I don't think I ever have.

Today at the bank, there were 2 lanes. I was in the lane furthest from the bank and a big SUV was in the lane closest to the bank. It made it so that I couldn't see the window, couldn't see the teller. I wondered all sorts of things, and that was what reminded me of my quirk. Figured I'd share it becuase really, something piques my curiosity multiple times a day.

I guess I'm it...

So - Tina tagged me. Great. Only 2 days into the blogging world and I've got people chasing me. =P Just kidding. It's nice to be thought of! So, I'm gonna go ahead and guess that it's my turn to post on the topic that she tagged me with. 6 weird things about me...
So, here goes.

1. I'll second what Tina said about food. I'm pretty picky. I can't stand bananas - or anything banana flavored. Don't like any veggies really... Things look and smell good. I imagine that they'd taste good, but then they don't. Like a tomato... ICK!

2. I can be perfectionistic (in some things). Like playdough - you can't mix the colors. And those water color paint sets - I never bought them for my kids cause they mess up the colors - yellow should be yellow, not some funky color of black/brown/green/red/yellow. I've gotten much better lately. Lucy actually has playdough (that is mixed even) and watercolor paints (that are all messy). I can't say it doesn't drive me crazy, but she actually has some, and usues it.

3. I'm a fidgeter. I find I have to be busy with my hands. Busy doing something. I have many lap crafts for when I'm cuddled up on the couch for a movie. Cross-stitch, crocheting, sweedish weaving. I find that I get "hungry" if I'm not busy doing something.

4. I love to learn. My family calls me a sponge. I could soak up all the knowledge out there (about interesting things anyway) and still be thirsty for more. I would love to know everything a doctor knows. Or a lawyer. I would never want the jobs that go along with that knowledge (or the bill for the school!) but I would just love to know it all! LOL

5. When I choose to do something, I dive right in. I put everything I am into what I'm working on. I get into trouble if I have too many things to do at once because of it. Blogging for instance - last week I knew very little about the blogging world. Now I have my own page, with my own posts. I've created my own graphics for it, I've read about how to do this and that, and I'm doing it. I've even been tagged already! =P

6. I'm a collector addict. I find myself NEEDING the WHOLE set of whatever it may be. Even the kids pokemon cards, when they first started getting them - I'd want to buy more so that we'd have a full set. I don't really collect any thing. I have a few "Willow Tree" figures (and I CRAVE more all the time) but that's about it. I used to collect key chains when I was a teenager. I think I got up over 200 or so...I still have most of them. And, for most of them I can tell you where I got them, or where they came from.

See - I'm crazy!

Now, since Tina tagged me, that must mean I get to tag others too! So - Laura and Molly - you're it! GO!!

So much fun!

Ok - I'm totally havin a blast with this blog thing! I've spent a bit of time today reading different things, playing with different buttons, changing things and then changing them again. I'm having fun making a space that is just mine. =)

I found a Christmas counter...It's so cute I had to put it up, but it makes me sick at the same time. I mean really - can Christmas REALLY be only 40 days away??? Wasn't it just summer? Wasn't it just LAST Christmas for that matter?? Holy Heck!

I am looking forward to the season though. Molly LOVES Christmas music, and starts listening to it as soon as Halloween is over. When I first was getting to know her, I thougth she was crazy. I mean really - 2 months of Christmas music? But, I have come to really enjoy it. I always feel like Christmas comes and goes too fast any way - so why not start a little earlier? I'm really looking forward to decorating the house this year. Not sure why that is - usually I dread it. The work that goes into it and everything...But, I find myself looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving so that I can decorate. It still doesn't feel like it can be only 40 days away.

So - I guess finding something to write about hasn't been too hard for me. Now I'm feeling like I'm talking to much. LOL And, I really haven't given my address out to anyone yet, so I guess I'm really "talking" to no-one... I guess now that I'm pretty much up and running I should email out the address so people can come read. =)

So. Where have I dripped today?

Well, if we're talking literally speaking, I've dripped all over the place today.

It's been anotehr roller coaster kind of emotional day for some reason. It kinda reminds me of PMS week...but since that was 2 weeks ago... *shrug* Has anyone looked at the moon lately? Maybe it's full? Be nice if I had SOMETHING to blame it on anyway... LOL

Today's legal apointment went well. The paralegal reviewed my paperwork and suggested I meet with the attorney to go over a few things. Wee-fun. Another apointment/meeting. I'm suposed to make a dental apointment, a eye apointment and a general check up apointment. All of this becuase after the divorce I'll have no insurance - which reminds me that I need to start looking into insurance and how it works if you just get your own... I'm procrastinating these apointments. Partially because I don't want to make them, partially because I don't want to go to them, and partially because I don't want to have to find someone to watch my kids yet again. I tell ya - there are days that I feel that my friends get to see more of my children than I do.

Starting Out

Well, it looks as if it's actually happening. Yup - Jori is blogging! I am officially entering the unknown world of the BLOG.

It's actually something I've thought about doing for a long while now. Something that I know next to nothing about (but plan on learning more from now on). Something I've not done because I don't know quite what to say. I suppose I never feel that what I have to say will interest anyone...I guess we'll find out. Really, I need to be doing it more for me - kind of a journal of sorts. It seems a good way to record the different things that happen - and since my memory seems to be failing more and more of late it just may prove to be a great addition to my life. Now, I only need to dig up more time from my day...

So, here we are on blogging day #1. I've created, named and written. Now it's time for bed. Tomorrow is another day. Plus, it'll give me a chance to blog a second time! hehe