How "Mr. Chuckles" Got Himself Out of the Doghouse

On Valentines Day, Mr. Chuckles got himself out of the doghouse. (See Ha, ha, Very Funny post below.) Friday night he came home with a dozen of the most exquisite pink roses, a tiny hot pink bag from Victoria's Secret with some "un-mentionables" that I won't mention, and a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries. The bases were covered! I am a very lucky (not stupid) woman. How could I not forgive him? I wish that I could say it was due to my short memory that he had been forgiven, but, I'm not inclined to forget that last little practical joke, quite yet. Granted, I didn't get these things to make up for what he did, but the chocolate does go a long way to help me forgive and in time, forget. Chocolate can cure anything in my book!!

Todd, I love you! You make life so much fun. Exasperating at times, but fun! XOXOXO

Ha, ha, Very Funny!!

After a long day of driving home from West Yellowstone, we arrived home to find that the fridge and cupboards were bare (Well, almost. Nobody wanted to eat the leftovers from before we left-gross!) So, once I unpacked everybody and got the laundry started, I headed off to grocery shop. (While Todd, took a nap. Why is it that a woman's work is never done?!!) I went to Macey's to pick up a few things then to Wal-Mart. I purposely parked my car at the very end of the isle, so I could get some walking in from being in a cramped car all day. Besides, have you ever been stupid enough to go shopping at Wal-Mart on a Saturday evening? The parking lot was pretty full. My point is, I distinctly remember parking far, far out in the lot.

I did my shopping with the crowds. Did the self checkout, and headed out to the parking lot. I checked my phone to see if I had missed any calls, yep, two from home. Who's been playing with the volume on my phone, anyway? So, on my way out to my car, I called Todd to check-in and see what he wanted earlier. I got to the end of the isle, where I thought I had parked (still on the phone with Todd) NO CAR! I said to Todd, " Damit, I can find my car! I'm sure this is where I parked!" He says, "What do you mean you can't find the car?" I say, " Well, you know how I sometimes forget where I park!" Sometimes I'm just not paying attention or something. Lately, I've been wondering if it's a lack of estrogen that makes my memory fuzzy? This has only happened a few times before. It's rather frusterating, not to mention highly embarrasing. I decide to start hitting my remote so I can find my car. Meanwhile, Todd says to me, "You don't think someone came and moved your car do you?" "Like who, I said." "Maybe your husband and kids." Lots of hiarious laughing from Todd this whole conversation. I say, "He better not have moved my car, this IS NOT FUNNY!" Still laughing from the other end of the phone. Quickly, I'm getting a little panicked thinking that maybe this wasn't where I had parked the car. After thinking it through, I was positive this was where I had parked! Then where in the heck was my car?? Todd's still laughing til he can't breathe. I'm so irritated, I hang up on him. So, I go back to looking for my dang car. I feel like the whole parking lot is watching me push my loaded cart all over the stinkin' place, laughing at me. Not to mention, Todd and the kids, laughing at home about the wonderful prank they just pulled on dear old Mom! Long story short, I found my car parked on an adjacent isle. I left Wal-Mart fumming mad. All I remember telling Todd when I got home was that when he gets to be my age, pay backs were gonna be a B!!

So, how 'bout Valentines? I'm not so sure I'm feeling it this year for Mr. Chuckles!

Our Snowmobiling Trip to West Yellowstone

Winter can be BEAUTIFUL! It was 4 below this morning. Burrrr!
Should've seen it-it was snowing glitter! Really spectacular! I didn't want to leave.

Cam & Cole

All of us at Firehole Falls, last time we were here in the winter, Cole was 3 yrs. old!

Going to see...

It's much better to see Yellowstone Park in the winter, including Old Faithful. We got to see alot of wildlife. Bald Eagles, Coyote, a herd of Elk, Trumpeter Swans and of course, my favorite, the Bison. INCREDIBLE!

Aw, aren't they cute in their little snowmobile suits?

Excuse Me...

Have you ever had one of those moments when your in a quandry about how to handle a situation...tactfully? I happened to stop by my Dr.'s office today. Before taking the elevator downstairs, I realized I really needed to pee-bad! So, I headed into the ladies room, chose the first stall, occupied. Chose the next stall, also occupied. Chose the middle stall got in just in time to barely get my jeans down in time and do my thing. (Does anyone else have bladder control issues??) I reached over to grab some T.P.-NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, EMPTY not a scrap to be found anywhere!

So there I am contemplating my options. First, I think maybe I could just pull up my pants and forget wiping-which would be totally gross and disgusting. Nope, couldn't live with that choice. Next, Maybe I could pull up my pants and ditch into the other stall when it is no longer occupied and grab me some T.P. PDQ and hope my undies don't get wet. Nope, also not do-able without someone walking into the ladies room and wondering what in the_ _ _ _ I'm doing, running stall to stall frantically searching for some T.P. while trying to keep my pants on and my undies from getting wet. That would be just my luck! Panic sets in. Crap, I'm running out of options!! Somedays, don't you think that wearing a depends would be so much easier? So, as a last ditch effort, I decide to suck up my pride and disturb my "neighbor" to the right. I say, "Excuse me," "Hello?" I lean over and wave my fingers under the stall to get her attention and let her know from where the voice she hears is coming from. Voice from "neighbor" lady, " Are you talking to me?" I hesitantly reply, (hoping she doesn't think this is going to turn into one of those infamous "airport" restroom rendezvous or that I need conversational company while I do my thing.) "Could you kindly give me some toilet paper? I have none in here." She laughs and passes me a nicely folded mound of wonderful, white, fluffy toilet paper. I have never been so grateful as I was at that very moment to see T.P.! We exchange some laughs and some other pleasantries, I flush, wash my hands, and hope I don't have to run into my "neighbor" in person before I dry my hands. Gratefully not. I once again thank her profusly for saving my hiney, (no pun intended) and leave the ladies room pride intact.

Good, Mom's Gone!

Last night, after telling Todd to make grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, I headed out the door to a Y.W. activity. Ethan asked where I was going and I told him we were going rollerblading. He seemed pretty happy with my reply and promptly said good-bye.

Well, come to find out later, just as Todd came to give me a good-night kiss before heading off to bed, he told me the funniest thing Ethan had said earlier that night after I had left to go to Y.W. Apparently, after the door slammed behind me, Ethan announced to Todd and Cole, " Good, mom's gone! Now we can burp and fart!" Let me translate: That was code for let's get this party started-it's male bonding time! OH MY GOSH!!!! Is this what happens when I leave home?? I refuse to believe Todd is responsible for that kind of comment coming out of Ethan's mouth-or should I wise up?! What the crap??

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!