Whew! It's All Over!

I'm now officially gallbladderless! Yea! Just wanted to thank with much appreciation, all of my friends (and family) for taking such good care of me and my 3 little men as I've been recovering. From delicious dinners and lunch, to bringing my kids home from school. Thanks for all who called to check up on how I was doing. So thoughtful of all of you, especially at this time of year when we are all being pulled in a million directions. It's nice to know I can always count on my friends when I'm in a pinch...or a stich! Love you all!!

Tis' the Season

Good Gracious, I haven't posted in a long time! Just seems like I've been hit with a ton of commitments and demands, not to mention working at home doing my billing business. Tis the season for craziness I guess.

One of these days, I'm going to get my Christmas shopping done! I always put it off. Shopping-not at all one of my favorite things to do-especially when things are financially stressed. Just knowing with each purchase I'm getting further and further in debt. Ugh! Sound like fun? Not to me. I guess if I were smart, I'd learn to put a little $$ away each month so that when Christmas comes along, things wouldn't be so stressful. OR I could just win the lottery! Ya, right! I guess I should just be darn grateful for what I do have. Like Todd's job. He works in the banking/financial world and we know how stable that industry is right now. Things look O.K. for him but who knows what the future might bring? So, I 'm glad I have enough. No less, no more. Christmas is by far one of my least favorite holidays. Can't stand all of the commercialism. All of the expectations to buy, buy, buy, give, give, give, get, get, get. However, I am a firm believer in the "reason for the season." I'm trying some new ways to have a more Christ centered home this Christmas.

One bright spot was this last weekend. I had the chance to have a "sleepover" with a bunch of my really good friends. We went downtown to the opulent Grand America Hotel and needless to say had a fabulous time together-talking, eating, talking, a lot of laughing and more talking. We did very little sleeping. The next morning, I woke up with abs of steal from all of the laughing I did. I had a great time with all of you!! :) My life would be so lonely and devoid of happiness and laughter without my girlfriends. It was great to take a break from my other roles and just let my hair down and have a good time. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated at the end. (Although, I came home feeling like I had a hangover! Wonder why?!)

Thursday I head to the hospital for a little tune-up. I'm getting my gallbladder removed. It's something I've been putting off for about two years now and I'm afraid I can't put it off any longer. I'll admit, I've been in denial, plus, who has the time for surgery? Nobody told me I would start falling apart when I turned forty. The bright side is maybe I'll loose some weight. No more greasy fries and cheesy pizza for this girl! However, I won't be giving up my Diet Vanilla Pepsi for anything!! My advice? DON'T GET OLD-that's an order!

Allowance-Yes or No???

Cole's writing assignment has me thinking, and I'd love to hear what you think.

• Do you give your kids an allowance? Starting at what age?
• If you don't, why? Do you think you should? Why?
• Do you have them earn it or do you just give them a set amt. each week for doing nothing?
• If they earn it, what do you have them do?
• How much money? Per chore or per day, week, month?
• Do you have some say in how they spend it or do you turn it over to them to decide?
• What is the consequence if they fail to complete the chore(s)?

Just some questions I'm contemplating myself. Did you have an allowance? What are some of the pros and cons?

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

Ethan came home from school on Friday and when Todd got home they were talking about Ethan's day at school. E promptly told Todd that Samantha was back at school today. When Todd asked Ethan why she had been gone, he replied that, "she had her testicles removed." I would have loved to be in the room to see Todd's reaction :) SO-Todd said, "are you sure her name is Samantha? and that she's a girl?" Ethan said, "yes." Well then Todd had to remind E that girls don't have testicles. Ethan got a quizzical look on his face and pointed at his throat and said, "what are those things called again in the back of your throat?" "Oh, yea, they're called tonsils!" I about busted a gut laughing when Todd relayed this conversation. At least Ethan used the correct term-just had it linked to the wrong body part!

One more quick one. So, Ethan and I are in the car coming home from running some errands together. Ethan said, "mom, did you know girls are females and boys are e-mails?" I quickly turned around to clarify what he said, not sure I heard him correctly. Sure enough, he repeated the same thing. I didn't dare to laugh out loud for fear his little feelers would get hurt. Secretly, I about peed my pants! Kids are awesome! I found out later he had been learning about opposites in Kindergarten.

Why Blog?

So, I've contemplated whether or not I wanted to start my own blog. About a year ago my friend, Tera, told me about a blog of another friend we have in common. She said it was all about the trials we all face-it peaked my curiosity. So, I went to check it out, never having read a person's blog in my life. I was hooked! This particular blog's comments on the trials women were going through was heartbreaking and powerful! I spent days afterwards digesting all that I read, stewing over some of the problems my friends, neighbors and people I don't even know were having. Needless to say, it had a profound effect on me. At that time, it was nice to know that I wasn't alone in facing life's trials. There were others. Lots and lots.

Another thing that struck me, was the ability that all of these women had to share-honest and open about everything-the good, the bad & the ugly. This is something that doesn't come easily for me in most situations. I admit, I have trust issues. I guess I've been burned a few too many times. So, I usually play it pretty close to the vest. This brings me to one of the main reasons that I have given in to blogging. It's an exercise in letting go- a little-or maybe a lot. Opening up, sharing and writing about things that are sometimes difficult for me. I'll have to admit, it's pretty uncomfortable. Cathartic? I'm hoping.

Other reasons for blogging? I sometimes feel guilty for reading blog after blog, never contributing my own life experiences for someone else's consumption (not sure they'd want to hear some of them:). I hope there would be something I could say or share that would benefit or help a reader. That would be worth it and so fulfilling. So, I'm commited to giving blogging a try.

My First Blog Ever!

Welcome to my new blog! I can't wait to start posting. All of my friends have given me a hard time for never reading my e-mail or getting into the blogging scene. Well no more! You are about to embark on a new adventure with me as your tour guide. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!