I'm so glad...

...that he's home.

I promise a longer report later.

Things to come, knock of Rolex's, pearls, other cool gifts, call girls, karaoke, and other weird things about China, dead mice and a broken refrigerator. There is a lot to laugh at.

Until then have a warmer day than I am.

Oh, you nieve, silly girl!

I was looking back at blog posts from 2005.

This one caught my attention.

Had I only known. In December I posted something talking about my 2 kids and ONE on the way. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Here was my announcement in January of 2006.

It all just seems so weird now. Potty training of the twins will occur in at least the next 6 month (Yes, I will use the book Toilet Training in Less Than a Day again). I'm able to remove the office baby gate now. For some insane reason we are discussing whether or not to have more.

It's official we are out of our minds...but you already knew that. The question is if we have one more, what's to stop us there and not make it 2 and heaven forbid we have another set of multiples? Granted the twins have been out easiest "kid". We always had agreed on 4 kids, but we don't feel ready to say were done...yet*. We must be crazy.

*I am at liberty to change my mind at a moments notice.

Dad-gum-it!

I am obsessed. Do you know what has kept me more company while Jonathan was way (Internet site wise, I have engaged my children too)?

The Pioneer Woman

I've found her site by chance (Tiffany had it linked and then a friend on Facebook became a fan, so I clicked) and after reading a little I laughed...hard. After reading her, about her and more of her blog, some things fell into place it my head. I guessed without names listed on her blog where her hometown is. I know some of MM's family. I know the area she lives in. I've even met her brother. I'm almost certain I know where she got married.

It's a small world and getting smaller.

I have read some of her archives and I've enjoyed it. I've spent (wasted) a lot of time doing that while Jonathan has been gone. Unfortunately it's been after the kids have gone to bed and I've been very tired (lazy) the next day.

Now I have go get some work done before we pick Jonathan up tonight (YEAH!). Darn computer. Darn funny Pioneer Woman. Okay, maybe reading one more post won't hurt. lol

I'm stalking Shanghai.

Can you actually stalk a city? I'm sitting here with my love (the laptop), and as I rome the Internet I am checking in on the current time in Shanghai.

It is now 1:13 PM (11:13 PM Central Standard Time).

My darling Jonathan's flight home will be so fast that he will leave Shanghai at 6PM Saturday night and he will arrive at Chicago O'Hare at 5:10 PM Saturday night. lol That's quick (if you don't understand just nod and smile awkwardly). He will arrive in Tulsa around 10:10PM. Can I get a "Hallelujah!"

I went to the grocery store to buy him lots of meat (real meat, not Sea Cucumbers, Octopus, or Chicken Feet). I'm greeting him with some type of cold meaty sandwich or wrap from a place at the mall that he likes.

It's now 1:19 PM in Shanghai.

Good Night!

Can I vomit...please?

There is a dead mouse in my kitchen. I'm not sure where (cabinet, vent, wall), I don't know. I caught a whiff yesterday while I was cooking. I noticed it by the side door, where I had the computer set up so I could watch movies while I baked.

Today the smell is a bit stronger, but it's ridiculous when the heat comes on. Could he be in my vent? I think maybe...I want to barf and I can't (won't) move my computer until the heat kicks off, so I came to the office to say that my kitchen stinks.

I hope he ate Decon so he stops stinking fast. The disadvantages of a 108 year old house.

Yuck!

I'm having an affair...

...I'm sleeping with...the laptop.

No, not in a dirty way, seriously get your mind out of the gutter. It just sounded funny that I was sleeping with the computer.

The last 3 nights I've slept with the computer by me. I've been reading blogs, playing games (on *Webkinz World) and watching Netflix DVDs after everyone has gone to bed. At mom's I slept on the couch and I had it plugged in by it. Tonight it's just too cold to sit in the living room so I've brought the computer and a movie (TV show) to bed.

Here's to at least 30 minutes uninterrupted as the kids go to sleep.

*Yes, I do enjoy the children's games on Webkinz World. Some are very challenging.

Weathermen are liars...

...is all I'm saying.

We're home from my mom's. I'm tired. I miss Jonathan. I'm cold. My mom keeps her house at 70 degrees or more. Mine rarely sees higher then 65, it's currently 60. I'm looking forward to enjoying my bed, my chairs and the basic things that make home...well home.

I expected a slick icy drive. We said a prayer before we pulled out of mom's driveway. I never saw or felt a slick spot. Weathermen are liars...but I'm okay with that...today.

Answer

2 posts down is a question. Here are three answers.

This is the answer I cam up with…it’s correct.

5+5+5≠550

This is the answer Jonathan cam up with…also correct.

5+5+5≤550

Here is the answer given. I never would have come up with it.

5+545=550

Boomer! Sooner!

I'm pretty much with my friend Jeremy on sports. The only team Jonathan and I follow at all is OU and even that is patchy, but they are the school we consistently support. We did by chance watch the OU vs. OSU game Saturday. We both went to OSU, but grew up fans of OU and never changed that. It was our 3rd game to watch all season (I told you we are patchy at following a team). We know when they win, but rarely do we find our time worth spending in front of the TV (a nod to another Jeremy post).


Saturday night before the game a plane had been flying around Stillwater.


Here's what it was about.


"Parks said his group has raised more than $7,000 to pay for the signs and to foot the bill for a private plane that will fly Saturday morning over Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., site of the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game. The plane will take to the sky during ESPN’s College GameDay program towing a banner reading “45-35, Settled on a Neutral Field."

Ironic that Texas fans seem to forget it was a 3 way tie for the Big 12 South. They must not be well educated to think that 3 means 2 south of the Red River.

My dad sent me this today and I laughed.

Can you solve this problem?

Can you make 1 straight line to make the answer of this equation true?

5+5+5=550

The answer will be posted tomorrow.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We normally decorate the day after Thanksgiving. This year we decorated the Sunday after. Here are a few pictures of our tree.

This is the most popular ornament. It's the Wright Brother's flier. Maybe we have little engineers on our hands.

I bought red, gold and silver icecicles and I think they're neat.

To prevent the babies from causing too much trouble the bottom of the tree is covered with stuffed ornaments from my mom's house and poinsettia heads. The tree is dotted with the poinsettias. It makes for a lot fewer things to put on the tree and makes decorating quick.

Black Friday

I don't do it. Not in a normal sense at least. I have only gotten up once in my life at 4 am to stand in line and that was at least 6-7 years ago to buy Jonathan a pocket gameboy (now at least the 5th gameboy back). Why? I'm not sure, he's not a huge videogamer, but it seemed like a good idea. I realized that morning that unless it seemed like a life or death situation, I was going to value my sleep more. People were rude and pushy. Needless to say I haven't gotten up since.

I have also never failed to procure what I want either. At least when we are in or go through Jonathan hometown. Cleveland has a small Wal-Mart. The kind you rarely see, just a plain old Wal-Mart of the style before they went 24 hour and huge. Cleveland is close enough to Tulsa and the suburbs that most people go to those places, so they can hit other stores that aren't in their small town. I go somewhere between 9 and 10 and haven't failed to buy what I planned, yet. People are much kinder and more patient at 9-10. They're still cranky, but they aren't trying to channel Satan (like some at 5 am).

This year I wasn't sold on buying anything, but with Jonathan having a 19 hours on a plane from Tulsa to Beijing I thought an mp3 player would be nice. He doesn't want to take the laptop, so he would be stuck with a book that might make him tired or the movie on the plane. He's been told to try and stay up until "normal" bedtime the day he lands to keep the jet lag down, by most everyone. I dropped several books on CD to the computer for this purpose.

Jonathan went with me and I assumed he would poo poo the idea, but once he started looking at the 2 deals I had intended to look at he warmed up to the idea. Not only did we buy one for him, he bought one for me too.

I picked this Phillips 2GB that was $29 and I bought the accessory pack for $10, so I have a case ans hook (or I will drop it).

We agreed he needed a bigger one for his trip, so he picked this 8GB RCA for $49. We didn't buy the accessory pack for $10, but I'm going to go back and get it (it comes with an a/c charging adaptor)

We aren't picky enough to need ipods, we won't use them that often, so the price isn't worth it. I've been transferring books to mine and just loaded itunes to pull podcasts of Rush after the show is over. I can listen later if I miss it and I don't have to stay at the computer or blast it's speakers.

These we agreed will be our 10 year anniversary presents. It seems funny having them. For as tech savvy as we can be, when it comes to mp3 players and cell phones we just don't care (we've gone so far as to cancel our contract and go to pay as you go cells). Trying to get used to the players is a little weird and at time frustrating, but they are nice.

So close

This Christmas season is going to be weird. Not the important part of celebrating the birth of Christ, but the activities and the way things are done will be.

We weren't home the day after Thanksgiving so the tree wasn't put up, but we did put it up yesterday afternoon.

Most of my shopping is done. Last night I wrapped and put stuff under the tree (usually a late December event). Jackson asked since there were flurries if we could open gifts tonight. I've been picking up a gift or 2 a week for 5 weeks after the kids go to bed on my weekly Wal-Mart trip.


The (very little) shopping I have left is for Christmas in Norman so I will finish that while I'm down there at the end of the week, so I can leave it there.


I will spend 8 days this month without my husband. He leaves Friday. We will leave for Norman right after and stay until Tuesday, when we will resume life as usual here.


While in Norman we will miss the Poinsettia tree service at church (Jackson tucks the poinsettias under his arm and runs up the aisle like a football player...lots of laughs).

While Jonathan is gone he will miss the homeschool field trip to Woolaroc's Festival of Lights and Bethlehem in Bartelsville. I'm not too keen to go alone with the kids, because we are able to attend both the day before he comes home. All I can imagine is this equation ME+4KIDS+NONAPS+ENDOFMYROPE=EXPLOSION. It may not be that bad, but I'm not sure.

When Jonathan returns it will be 12 days until Christmas. This just seems weird to not have him here for a chunk of the month.

Jonathan's will be home from work (between paid days off for holiday's and vacation) 12 days from Christmas eve until January 4th. That will be during our anniversary (10 years Dec 27th) which is nice.

I know it will all work out, but it just seems so foreign. It's almost like we are in another world.

I think I'm going to go turn on the tree, listen to some Bing Crosby Christmas music, make a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and light a candle that smells like I've been cooking (while I clean my kitchen). That will be normal. Familiarity can be so nice.


***DISCLAIMER***
In 30 minutes I'll probably be begging for change with my ADHD tendencies...lol

Currently

I am reading Tesla Man Out of Time, listening to Harry Potter 7 on the computer, and trying to teach myself to knit...but not at the same time.

I decided to take a hand at knitting after reading my old 4-H buddy, Jeremy's wife's blog.

It is putting a dent in my computer addiction when I have something else to do. I haven't been reading much lately and I decided I just needed to carry my book with me so I can finish the stack I have from the library and the stack I own on my desk. Next in line Ronald Reagan's autobio (again) or Bruce Campbell's.

The book on CD seems to keep the TV off. The kids aren't really listening, but having the noise on is keeping them from asking and adding to the sound. Next in line, Little Woman.

I hope you all have safe travel and a great Thanksgiving (and just to be ornery) an OU win.

Hey, I went to Oklahoma State and I still can't root for them over OU after living in Norman for 19 years (whether I watch the game or not).

V & C

Either my typing is getting worse or my V & C aren't working well. I try to proof read, but I often miss things. When I find an error (sometimes a week or more later) I've missed one of those letters in a word. This keyboard is only a little over a year old. I would rather blame it then my own imperfections (like being a lousy typist).

Isn't that just the way, to wish we could pawn our own issues off on someone or something else. I'm having some real frustration (anger) issues lately. I'd like to blame my kids, Jonathan, traffic, etc. and unfortunately I've taken some of it out on Jonathan and the kids. God is in control, but I'm struggling to really hand this over and let him guide my attitude, because I don't want this to be my fault or about me. Tha fact is that it is, now I just have to do my part to make things more about Him.

Super Hero or Villain? (UPDATED)

Snot is on the is on the rise, noses are turning raw, it is that season...(cue theme music)...who will save the day?

It's Captain Kleenex. Able to wipe a snotty nose with a single tissue (or her 2 ply cape).

You would think the children of of this metropolis (okay, just this house) would love their super hero, but alas the snotty, red striped children see Captain Kleenex in a different light.

They see her as...Dun, Dun, Dun...the Booger Baron...out to use their boogers for her own diabolical ends.

*********

Ya, I know Baron is a male term, but Baroness didn't sound right. V is working on a nice red Hitler mustache from (her) rubbing under her nose and the twins run every time I come near with a tissue. My shirts also have perpetual shoulder glaze. Just another reason I don't care for the cold (except for the occasional snow day and sledding).

It's not winter...welcome to snotty nose season.

****UPDATE****

Jonathan thinks I need to make the kids the villains. Right now I would make Xander the Booger Baron, Victoria Super Snot-Nose (Jonathan made that up, she doesn't like it), but I'm lacking names for Jackson and Owen. I could just make them The Finger or The Tongue (Owen's preferred removal methods) and The Sniffer or Corporal Coughs-A-Lot (Jackson sniffs all the time or coughs all night long in his sleep).

Maybe I could create a comic book to fit into the comic book craze, just for mom's. The only things holding me back are an ability to draw and write a decent story. Darn.

Classic.

I had one of those moments this morning. It was that moment where you feel like you kind of have it together, but then you discover you are very wrong.

Last night I planned slightly ahead, I had my Bible and Jonathan's together with my CD for special music, my wedding band, wallet, water, lip gloss and 1 earring in a stack by the kitchen door. I thought dropping our Bibles off during first service in our Sunday School classroom would give us a free hand. I thought I had it together.

Enter this morning. I grab my stack. I'm about to drop everything and I grab a handful of Corn Chex. As I shove them in my mouth I bite into something. It seems like a rock and it won't go away. I'm in the street spitting stuff out. I look down and see what looks like glass. Great I probably swallowed something I shouldn't. I got to church early and dropped of our Bibles and ran to the sanctuary. I did Praise Team and I had finished praying and was headed up to sing my special. The music played and it wasn't right. Rob looks at me from the booth and tells me there is no CD in the case. I'm about to walk off and our music minister jumps up and goes to the piano and I did and I do an impromptu gospel version of "I'll Fly Away". I drive home to get the crew during the sermon (for Sunday School and 2nd service) wondering where my CD is, because I know it isn't in the player. It was on the cabinet. I had to laugh. Well, I got to sing one of my favorite hymns first service, so that was great.

On the way home as I'm questioning if I'm going to get an ulcer form eating glass I realize I didn't put my earring in. I look on the ground at the piece of glass (by the Corn Chex chunk) in the street and it's a big CZ chunk from my earring. I hope the rest is in t0eh street too.

Please feel free to laugh.

Only me, I have to be the only person I know who could try to eat their earring.

Just another reminder from God that I don't always have it together. lol

Tagged..7 Random Things About Me

I have been tagged by Kipplyn. Here are 7 random things about me.

1. I do a killer Julie Andrews vocal impersonation and I love karaoke.

2. I listen to Rush Limbaugh 3 hours a day, almost everyday. One of last years highlights was actually getting through to talk to him.

3. I love old movies and sci fi movies.

4. I was married at the age of 20. Jonathan and I met at Bible study the first week of my freshman year of college (1997). We started dating in October and were engaged by December and married the next December (1998).

5. Jonathan or I would have run for our House of Representatives seat if we still lived in OKC.

6. You will never see me wear anything that will show it, but I have my navel pierced (and have off and on for 11 years). The only other piercings I have are in my ears. It was my college rebellion...I didn't party, but I got stuck with a HUGE needle (it didn't hurt).

7. I've never been out of the United States, I don't even have my Passport. This is something I would like to remedy in the next year.

I tag Babystepper, Jeremy and anyone else who wants to play.

Babystepper you are exempt until you find time since you are doing National Novel Writing Month.

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Here's a bonus 8th...I don't like the cold.

Jonathan is going to China.

He leaves December 5th and comes home December 13th. He flies from Tulsa to Chicago and then straight to Shanghai, China. He will spend most of his time between Beijing and Xiangfan.

Here are the hotels he will stay in (1, 2, 3). Check out #2 most of the site is in Chinese.

He was told that he will be the primary contact with the company in China so we are debating foreign language again. We have debated between Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese for well over a year. We were selecting between those 3 languages, because they are of the most use potentially for work. Since his company has a Singapore office and he will be the China contact I think Chinese is our choice. Fortunalty they primarily speak English in Singapore, so it isn't necessary. It looks like we'll start Chinese next year.

Yes, I'm jealous, there are tons of places I want to go and I wish he could bring back leftovers.

I've been shot!

Flu shot that is.






I'm glad I had them give it to me in the left arm. It's a little sore. It did give me a chance to set and example for the kids who are getting their tomorrow.

When I was a kid we never took flu shots. I started taking them 5 years ago when I was pregnant with Jackson and it was recommended with the twins at 6 months old. So we've continued on since then. The twins (like Jackson and V were) are behind on their vaccinations, This is the only shot they get on time. It's not because I delay them on a schedule, my kids are just always behind 6 months to a year on shots and are usually caught up between 4 and 5 years old. Knowing that some of my friends delay on purpose makes me feel pretty good about just being behind.