Tired of "The Catty"

                                       
                                                                  (This image found here.)

I really get irritated with myself sometimes.  I have several annoying traits, but one that just chaps my hide is the fact that I never seem to be able to master the snappy come-back to personal insults!  I'm of the shoulda, coulda, woulda club.  I can sure work up a great retort after the fact, you know when you've tossed and turned all night and hashed and re-hashed the situation in your head for about a ba-zillion times!

We recently attended a wedding for our nephew and his sweetheart.  It was a nice affair and we had a great time catching up with family and such.  There's one member of the family that for some reason just loves to push my buttons.  The crazy thing is that she thinks I'm too daft to realize it, which is so far from reality.  Part of it is that I really, really don't want to stoop to her level, but the other part is the fact that I just am usually at a loss for words when this occurs.  The first couple of times it happened, I just blew it off, thinking that I was being over-sensitive.  It has continued every time I encountered this person over the last 10-11 years, and it's wearing mighty thin.  I'm afraid I have to do something that might make others uncomfortable, but it's time to stop her in her tracks. 

No more Mrs. Nice Guy. 

What's Up Around Here.

There are many things that I'll miss when I return to Alaska.

Here, I present a little vignette of an activity that's entertaining.  Just a side note, Edie just started having solid foods a week ago.  She is now an expert!

(please excuse my sniffles--allergies!)

I'm still here!

I haven't disappeared.  I'm just incognito!

A few weeks ago, my oldest daughter Michele contracted MRSA.  It manifested as an infection on her right shoulder.  I was compelled to go to New Mexico to help her, but she said that all would probably be well by the time I could make the trip there, so we decided to skip it.  The following Monday, this happened!  To say I was beside myself with worry would be putting it mildly.  She has a 3 year old and a 4 month old, and lives in  a tri-level home!  (Note to self--next house: NO STAIRS!)

Any-hoo; before I could even mention it, Karl was looking up flights and making arrangements for my return trip in less than a month.  Have I told you before what a wonderful man and partner I have in him?  I really need to tell HIM more often!  Have his love and support during this prolonged absence is priceless.  I know that it's not easy being alone when your life-mate is somewhere else and not knowing when to expect their return is no fun.  I can't thank you enough, Karl.

The thing is, I can't return to Alaska until Michele can bear weight on her left foot.  We'll know more about that soon, I hope.  In the meantime, she can't drive, carry anything including her children, and must use a wheelchair at work, as she must keep the leg elevated.  Her husband Jason and I team up on getting everyone out the door by 7:00-7:05 A.M.  I then drop off the kids at daycare, and whisk Michele off to work.  Upon arrival there I wrestle the wheelchair out of the trunk, which is more awkward than heavy.  I should be pretty buff soon.  We're calling this whole thing "Michele's Extreme Work-Over   I mean Out!"  Step aside Biggest Loser!  :)

The neatest thing about all of this is spending time watching this:

Cuddletime!  These girls were tired!  Shhhh; don't wake 'em up....

I don't know how I used to keep up with all the things I used to when the kids were little.  I certainly am not measuring up these days.  It's all I can do to cook every now and then, and work on the never ending rotation of laundry!  I'll just have to try to get a handle on it somehow! 

Until later...Thanks for checking in.

Happy Birthday!

Twenty-six years ago today my beautiful Amanda was born.

She is smart and full of it of life!  Creative and fun-loving, she also has a big heart.  I couldn't be more proud and honored to have her as my daughter and friend.

Have a wonderful day, Sweetie!  I wish I was there to bake you a cake, or maybe some bruchetta....;)

I love you.

Punkin Pie And Sugga-Bugga

I had such a great time with my grandkids.  It was truly a blessing to be able to spend so much time with them in November and December.  I really can't wait to go back!  In case you can't tell--they pretty much hung the moon! 

Have to say, they definitely kept me busy.  I had to gaze into little Edie's eyes all day long, because she has a corner on the cuteness market.  She really is the sweetest and fun baby! 

(This picture doesn't do her justice.  She smiles and laughs all the time--except for the camera!)

Judy is growing so fast and really loves being a big sister.  She hates getting up in the morning (just like someone else we know!) but hates to miss her school.  I hope that she feels that way about her classes when she gets older. 

I want to be a good and positive influence for these two.  I also want to be a fun grandmother, and look forward to having them stay over during summers and anytime I can talk them into to spending time with Grama Mikki.

What's not to love?

(I see the look of a mad sugar rush about to happen! LOL!)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go brush up on my cookie recipes!  ;)

(This image found here.)

Happy New Year, Everybody!

I hope this year holds many wonderful events and great surprises for all!

"Progress" in Advertising

(This image found here.)

(may not be work-appropriate)

Remember the day when a tampon commercial was a bit shocking?

Well, those were the good old days!  A time of innocence that has ceased to exist. 

Presenting a new era in television "soap-selling!"

And if that wasn't enough, how about this one?

Oh, for the days when we were only dealing with those annoying male enhancement ads hawked by that creepy guy!