More Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Kathy!!!

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone! Year of the Earth Ox. Ok.

I was looking more closely at my blog tonight (someone found my blog by googling happy hippo ice scraper) and found that I dropped from 62 posts in 2007 to 38 posts in 2008. That's just sad. So. I've decided to try and do better this year. Which reminded me of something else:

My first real job was in a small office and, having worked there for 7 years, the owners friends became my friends. After I got married, one of their friends gave me some marital advice. He said "The way to make sure you're marriage doesn't degrade over the years is to put a jar under the bed. Every time you (and here I turned bright red and everyone had a good laugh) have marital relations with your husband, put a jelly bean in the jar. The next year, put another jar under the bed and every time you have marital relations, move a jelly bean from the first jar to the second jar. At the end of the year all the jelly beans should be moved to the second jar. And do that every year, making sure all the jelly beans move to the next jar." Of course, this became a big joke. He moved to Florida and every time he called he would ask how the jars were doing and I would tell him that the city of Rockford was out of jelly beans and could he please send more.

Yeah. Good times.
(sorry mom; dad; grandma)

Dear Jerry,
SEND MORE JELLY BEANS!

Since my last post:

It was colder here than at the North Pole;


Yes, that does read Outside Temp -19

My brother called me a yuppie (again) (apparently, Two Subarus, two Columbian coats, and a Laptop Desk = Yuppie);



I found my mailbox;



It is still light out when I leave work;



Mom and Dad celebrated their 38th anniversary;

I turned my keys in to Mary. (Thanks, Little Don!) That feels good. It's like a cloud of oppression has been lifted. Two bad things in my life have been let go and replaced with a good job with people who are good influences. More like the kind of people I want to be;

and Alyssa had a birthday. (actually, that's today. Happy Birthday, Alyssa!)

I'm happier than I have been in a few years, and to express the happy/adorable-things-make-me-smileness of it all, here's a picture of Cheyenne, curled up all cute in my lap:

Up and Running

My Mary Kay page is finally up and running. It is not very pretty, but I'll keep working on that. It lists current in stock items, and will list any sales or coupons I have. Just go to heathnwanda.com and click on my page. The link my Mary Kay page is there.

Dena, Dena, Bo Bena

So much to write, so little time to write it in.
First off, a Wanda sells Mary Kay update... check back this weekend for a link to my Mary Kay site. This will be attached the the heathnwanda.com webpage. I will list my sales there, along with products in stock and other potentially useful information. I plan on having a lot of sales. I have a lot of great ideas!! Some could be beneficial in ways other than discounts, too, so be sure to check back.

Second, the reason for making myself sit down for a few seconds and blog (not that I don't want to write something for ya'll to read, but I have so many ideas I need to start on them now!!):

I NEED YOUR CANS!

Well, I don't need your cans, but my brilliant sister does. She has been collecting cans and using the money for college!!!! BRILLIANT! What a great way to use resources, not make Alaska cry, AND further your education. And to do it while raising a family!?!?! My sister is a SUPERHERO! I think this is such a great idea that I am asking all of you to help! Anybody who is interested in donating to this great cause, please email me at HDTenshi2@aol.com, or reply to this post!
Thanks!
Now, back to work!!!

My Mary Kay® Sale!

Click to supersize (and read)

Christmas Cops

Thanks to my mom and dad, I know that the weather is wreaking havoc on roads, alarm systems, and mobile computer systems. And I'm enjoying every minute of it. Or hour of it, in this case. I have had this scanner since yesterday late morning/early afternoon and have not been able to put it down for any significant amount of time. Except when I was trying to sleep, and that was only because it kept waking me up.

The Christmas party was fun, though we all missed grandma. Mike, Jen, their baby-in-the-making, and Jacob showed up at the very end and while his white elephant gift was mighty good (the exact same box of cheerios he received as a white elephant gift last year wrapped in an uncountable amount of plastic bags and duct tape), I think dad's white elephant topped them all. A hard hat filled with random items; and by random items I mean we think he had cleaned out his truck and used his hard hat to place the small items he was bringing in, then just decided to wrap it as a white elephant gift. Lots of fun!

I didn't make it to church today as the wind, snow, and arctic cold we are having made even my car barely drivable. I hope that all who have to travel today are well and safe.

Thanks to all who showed up and for everything everyone brought. While gifts are nice (I can't believe how many fire alarms have gone off in the last hour), I can honestly say that the time spent hanging out is far more enjoyable than anything I received. To my family - I love you all and look forward to many more family gatherings. Thanks to making yesterday an enjoyable day!

Blog-ness

In case you haven't heard, I am now selling Mary Kay®. Mostly, so I can get stuff cheap. I don't want to do shows, but if you would like to purchase something or view a catalog, or know somebody who may want to purchase something or view a catalog, please let me know. Or them. Know about me, that is. Because I have all of this to sell:


That includes a lot of eyeshadow and blush:


What was I thinking?

Blame it on Christmas, I guess. Best holiday ever! Pretty and colorful. Like this little guy

He lights up and changes colors. Crazy adorable!

Christmas is the best. And it's almost here! And Heath's boss, who generously shares his business' profit with the staff, called me the other day and I absolutely cannot wait for Heath to get this gift! Lots to look forward to! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

"Dad, did you bring a saw?"

Anybody interested in buying a snowblower? It is two... maybe three years old and never been used.

For those of you that know us, you know that I love my husband; he's not lazy, he spoils me (for the most part) and is truly a great guy. With that being said...

As you may recall last year was near record breaking snowy and this year is predicted to be worse. Unfortunately, during the snowy-ness I have been the one at home and therefore, the one doing snow removal. I was told that we really can't use the snowblower until it has a checkup.

Here it sits. Next to the shovel that I was using...


...for 2 1/2 hours. Unlike my neighbors. They all had snowblowers they could use. It was a steady stream of snowblowing usage; a snowblower symphony for me to enjoy while shoveling the heavy, deep snow. For 2 1/2 hours.


'Nough said.

To my nephew:

Dear Aaron,
I would normally wish you a happy birthday, since it was your birthday, but instead I must insist that you cease having birthdays. Not only does it make me feel old, but apparently it likes to snow on your birthday. Alot. And people are stupid when it snows. I offer up the following pictures of my morning drive to work as proof:






I just wonder how that many people ended up in the ditch when we were only going 10 mph.

And this road wasn't even that bad!!!


So, Aaron, I hope you like snow, because it seems to like you.
Oh, and Happy Birthday

Don't make the nice little girl start biting off heads

Hey everybody! I'm back! New job, new friends, less stress!
That's right. You know that old saying about not worrying about the friends you had in the past, there's a reason they didn't make it to your future. Turns out, it's true.

And also, Mean People Suck.

On another note, I started selling Mary Kay. I don't do shows, but I sell the product. The moisturizing stuff is great!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Expect more from me soon!

Happy Anniversary!

10 years! WooHoo!
This is apparently the countertop anniversary...

Its quartz. Less damaging than granite, and it looks just as nice! (I think)
We chose the rounded edging, which I like more than I thought I would...

And we got the undermounted sink with it...


Yeah, my husband is pretty keen.
And he had a birthday.
Happy Birthday Heath.

Eres un congrejo

My name is Lucy and I have some 'splaining to do.
First off, I'm a crab.

This is me in my home on Wanda's desk:
I like it here.
It's very entertaining and I'm very popular.
I like being popular; except when people wake me up so that I'll swim around for them. But I'm getting used to that.

I really like being on Wanda's desk mostly because of the attention I get, but also because I learn a lot. I'm learning Spanish; and just the other day I learned what a Yoda was. One of her friends started calling her Yoda.
I didn't know what a Yoda was, so I looked it up.
I found this:

Other than the height, I see no resemblance.

So, I asked why she was being called Yoda. They said because she was smart. This seemed to embarrass Wanda, and she denied it. I don't know what smart is, so I just swam around in my bowl.

It wasn't always so great here, though.
At first I was afraid. Wanda informed me that I was being purchased as the office pet because there were a lot of changes going on and everyone was stressed out. She thought I would cheer everyone up with my crabbyness.

I don't follow her logic.

Then it got even worse. I saw my deskmate.
No, not Wanda.
This guy:

What's with the pimp hat?

She tried explaining it to me. Something about a present from a secret in the office for a holiday with a tree. Again, I'm not sure I understand.
Wanda said that her and another girl, who was no longer there, decided to dress him up for the season. Maybe I'll be safe as long as that other girl doesn't come back.
That hula skirt sent me into anaphylactic shock.

Anyway, Wanda mentioned that she hadn't had time to write a post for her blog in a while, so I decided to do it for her, since she has been around the office a lot more than usual. She seems to be busy because her attorney only comes in the office a couple of times a week. She's always wearing some sort of thick cloth slung over her shoulder that makes little crying noises, and she always drops off so much paperwork that you can barely find Wanda's desk when she's done!
I'm watching out for her, though. She is doing great and we are having a good time.

Well, back to my bowl for now to learn more about things like lumbar strains and the circuits in the courts.
<3 Lucy

I have a what?

A blog? Ohhhh right, that thing.

I'll get back to you on that.

Latter Days

1. My bag.

Made by my talented sister-in-law, Sarah. I love it! Thank you!

It holds all of my stuff! And it's pretty!

2. Baby showers and donuts (not the edible kind)
There are two ladies in my office who are pregnant, one of which is the attorney I assist. They're both due within 2 days of each other at the end of August.
Thursday evening was their office baby shower. Dinner, presents, games.
As I was pulling out of the parking garage I hear a loud, repetitive ticking/flumphing sound.

ti..flumph..ck

So I pull into the the side garage to not-so-surprisingly discover a flat tire that I am surprisingly not too upset about.

The culprit:


I called my husband and after the usual "How was your day" "Are you working late" I informed him, nonchalantly, that I had a flat tire.

To which he replied "When? Now?" Ummmmmm......

He then proceeded to heroically drive down to rescue me. Not that I can't change a tire, but he did insist he had a full size spare (which he didn't) and considering he had to stand on the tiny tire iron to get it to move, I don't believe I would have been able to change THIS tire.

While he was changing my tire, we saw this:

Ouch. I have no idea what happened.

So, I drove home on my little donut spare and my wonderful husband traded me cars the next day and had everything taken care of by the time I got home the next day. I'm spoiled and I love it!

3. The neighborhood kids scream. Alot. This bothers me in several ways. The obvious is that it's annoying. The second is this: What happens when that child is really hurt or in trouble and tries screaming? We are so used to that child screaming that nobody will think twice or even glance to see if there is a problem. I have a lot of respect for parents who teach their kids that they shouldn't run around screaming for these two reasons. I wish more would do it.

two birthdays, a holiday, and more painting?

Here it is at last. My sister-in-law's birthday post. I'm late because.... I want it to be special and stand out from everyone else's? Ok, it's because I'm lazy.

Happy birthday, Sarah. Since your domestic skills are too many to list, I will simply state that you have done well with the food pantry and I appreciate everything you bring to this family.

Also, you have a great birthdate; as it is also my own. It's such a great day that animals came from all over to wish me a happy birthday.


Including her. She waited in a perfect picture taking pose in my backyard while I ran around frantically searching for my camera. After I found my camera, she was so happy for me that she began prancing around the backyard, pausing long enough for me to get this shot before darting into the veritable jungle behind my neighbors fence.

On the morning of my birthday, a baby bird visited our window well to wish me happy birthday, and had to be rescued out of said window well by my husband. And, of course, who could forget the chipmunks who realized it was a great day and therefore, lounged around themselves....



I hope everyone had a good Independence Day. Mine consisted of painting. I figured that I hadn't done enough of that these past few years and needed more practice.... Anyway, our room is now a calm soothing green somewhere between mint and sage. Pretty. Though, our bedding hasn't come in yet. The current blue bedding makes the room considerably less soothing and more of an unfinished tensy sort of feel. I will be very happy when the bedding comes in.

Also, if anyone has a pair of dark brown or black dress shoes size 12 wide or 13 regular that they are getting rid of, please let me know. Thanks!

Feliz Dias Del Padres y Feliz Cumpleanos, Hermano

Happy Father's Day, dad!

Thank you for always adding humor, for your willingness to help us when we were finally ready to ask for it, for you and mom making sure all of our holidays were great, and for waking me up on Saturday mornings joking and loudly singing country music... which I believe I may have yelled at you to be quiet for, but I now appreciate the funness you were trying to share.

Ohh..wait... the cat is taking over the keyboard...

4jdi*mb ckae( jil;a$1e

I think that's cat for Happy Father's Day. Or it's a message to the rest of the cats who are planning on taking over the world.

Happy Birthday to my brother. You're a good pastor, friend, and father. Thanks for encouraging me and sharing my vision for the job search program!

Anybody want to buy strawberries? Yummy strawberries!

I blame Kathy

I hadn't checked my sister-in-law's blog lately, so I decided to. I was not so shocked to find that she scored a -9 on the 30's housewife quiz. I have always thought that I would have made a great 50's housewife, not quite Donna Reed, but generalistically speaking. So I thought I'd give this quiz a shot.

82 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

Hmmm.... Kathy, we are two very different people! But I think you rock, anyway! Love ya, sis-in-law!

Another Late Post

I wouldn't be surprised if it were the man himself who beat me to this, but:

Happy Birthday, Dad! (which was yesterday) To a man who can grow anything, anytime, anywhere; whose endless supply of jokes can induce an eye-rolling smile everytime; and who taught me by example a work ethic that has gotten me a good job with good pay, I hope you had a great day.

I was going to attempt to make it out to see you, but I didn't. I didn't attend my CPR class either, so please don't choke.

Good news is I'm on my way to sleepful nights.

Swedish nerf

I have little to post about this week, so I'll tell you about my new bed.

It's made of swedish nerf. Sort of. It's a Tempurpedic "celebrity" and it came with two pillows as a promotion, also made of swedish nerf.

The salesman did not mark down that they were supposed to deliver the mattress with the boxspring and pillows, so I spent a day with a lovely, queen sized boxspring in my living room. Good times.

But it's here. It's weird, comfy, and who knows, maybe I'll sleep more than three hours a night (that's three interrupted hours... not straight). Or maybe I just forgot how to do that since it's been so long.

Also, today was a beautiful day.

Picture-rific

Despite my husband's food poisoning Monday night, his sore back all week, my allergies (I was just happy it wasn't a cold, like I originally thought) and the more than slightly chilly weather Wednesday morning; Asheville, North Carolina was a good vacation. Relaxing, romantic, waterfally and mountainy. Arriving at the beautiful Albemarle Inn on Sunday afternoon gave us an evening to explore town and hang out.

The staff was friendly, the Inn was beautiful, and the few other guests were polite. Pretentious, but polite.

Beautiful picture of the lobby area. Behind me is the dining room leading into a beautiful yellow sun room where breakfast was served.

This is the door leading out to the front of the house shown in the first two pictures.


This is the cute little reading area found halfway up to the second floor. We were on the third floor.


We went to the Biltmore estate on Monday, which was amazing. I can't help but to think that there must have been some bitterness amongst the servants after viewing both their living area and the main house. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the house, but it was amazing. Especially the library! It's also interesting how utilitarian the bathrooms were. Purely a necessity. Elaborate in the day they were built, I am sure, but our bathroom is almost nicer than these.

The rest of our trip involved touring the downtown area, similar to Madison as far as the stores lining the main streets, though not quite as collegey and... eccentric... as Madison.

We also visited several antique shops.

And waterfalls.
These two were in the same mountainous area, and although the drive was a bit different than what the book suggested, we were glad we took the trip.


Play me.


After finding the "parking lot", which was actually a dirt-packed area wider than the one lane two-way road we drove up, we hiked about 15 minutes to the next, 80 foot waterfall

Play me, too.


On Thursday, we decided to take one more "waterfall viewing" trip before stopping in Black Mountain to visit more antique shops. This last waterfall was on Mount Mitchell, and could only be viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. In case you haven't heard of the BRP, it is a long stretch of scenic roadway winding through and up the mountains. As we started toward the Parkway, we ran into a detour and followed the interstate about an hour North East before we were able to enter and had to head back South to get to our destination. Mile 361.1 on the Parkway. As we traveled South on the Parkway, stopping at all of the lookouts to view the amazing scenery, we both grew excited at the prospect of the waterfall we were headed to see. This wasn't just a waterfall. This was an estimated 800 foot waterfall winding down Mt. Mitchell. 800 feet! The waterfall above-only 80 feet. Yeah. The word spectacular was running through my mind.
Onward we traveled on this very thin, two lane road. Onward toward the Mt. Mitchell turnoff, at mile 153. Onward toward the sign that read "Road Closure, 1000 ft.; Mt. Mitchell turnoff, 500 ft." Wait. That means the road closes 500 ft after the turnoff to head to the top of Mt. Mitchell. But we're at mile 153! Only 8.1 miles left to go to view the spectacular waterfall!


As we both sat staring at the barricades willing them to not be there, we decided to take the turnoff and travel the rest of the way up the mountain. The tallest mountain in the U.S. East of the Mississippi. The view was amazing. The wind was cold. And now we had to drive an hour North to get off the Parkway, then an hour South to get back to where we needed to be, instead of the 20 minutes South on the closed Parkway to get back to the Interstate. Good thing we had a full tank of gas when we started. And good thing the drive was scenic and beautiful or we might have been more than just frustrated.


I leave you with two last pictures. This one is from the garden on the Biltmore estate: And this one is Dena's tree. Which was also on the Biltmore estate:



Also, whose the genius that let me get a digital camera? These things should not be allowed in my hands. I get carried away.