Some random things I learned this weekend

-Michael's aunts are a hoot and they can make you roll on the floor laughing.

-Marilyn's ham balls are so amazing. She will have to send them overnight when they move.

-Jake is currently down to only eating about 9 foods. Why be so picky all of a sudden?

-David CAN get a date on his own!

-Jake knows what Red, Yellow and Green mean at a stop light. Also he will inform you that Brown = Poop. Ugh

-About 15 Butt Sundaes later, I was sick of the phrase!

-That being selfless is a reward greater than I thought. Giving up to friends birthday parties so that the boys can go out felt better then I thought it would.

-For some reason, when Michael works with Steve, I get into cleaning mode.

-That you could read all 178 pages of Curious George and Jake will want you to read it over and over again.

-That the boy name Eddie on Chuggington, is hot for a animation character.

-Cailou makes me want to hurt myself.

-Sleeping in is the greatest feeling ever, but waking up to the other side being bare, makes me sad.

-After talking with a friend, I am glad that I have found my life companion but now I truly understand what people who haven't, now feel.

-Some people honestly don't think before they act. In some ways, that is a good thing.

-Cuddling with Jake, is something I hope I never forget.

-Hawkeye would spend all day in the snow.

-I could color for hours. I wish I could get paid to do it.

-I think Jake knows how to work my phone more than I do.

-I miss my husband more then anything when he isn't around!!

-Zoey needs a haircut. It's getting bad. We have had the time!

-Blueberry pancakes are amazing.

-I will forever love Penguins. I thought it was a phase in middle school, it wasn't.

-Friday night taught me that I am too old to go out. Wow.

-Wants to know who this "Honor Society" is. They were on the Disney Channel all weekend and they are singing the Natl Anthem at the Pro-Bowl.

-Sex and The City never doesn't surprise me!

-I am very saddened by Kurt Warner retiring.

-Can't wait to go to Chicago with her stud muffin husband in March. I wanted to start packing now.

-Zoey can somehow get on everything and get into anything. It doesn't fail.

-Michael needs therapy for his candy obsession. I swear $15 of our grocery bill this week was in candy.

-Jake thinks he is now a dragon. Watch out if you come to my house.

-David will always be the easiest person to talk to.

-I wish Kelly G lived closer.

-Lady Gaga's wardrobe is always facinating

-Getting surprised with flowers and a slow dance (insert vomit here if you must) after a long weekend away from each other melts my heart.

Unnecessary

One thing.

I find it funny that you can go way above and beyond for certain people in your life and just because you can't see them enough, you get busy, you make new friends and you enjoy being with you own family, they write you off. Especially when you were there for them during some really rough times. It makes you think. It almost feels like they just used you to fill in a space. Do they bother asking what is going on? No, they just assume. We all know the saying that goes with that word. Don't judge me. Especially when you obviously have no idea who I am now.

This has been a long week. I feel like I am getting nothing accomplished at work and at the same time, I feel like I am working really hard. I think it's just one of those off weeks. Quite a few of us have had our off moments this week.

We were able to get everyone together for a little shower for Sam! I cannot believe it's already time for her new little one to grace us with his presence. It doesn't feel that long ago she told us! I am sure it has felt forever for her but I am so excited for and her family!! I can't wait to hold the little guy and "oooo" and "aw" over him! One week Sam!! You are almost there my dear!

Do you know how hard it is to find Soy Beans? Goodness! All I want is to make Edamame at home! It's so good. Ever since Michelle J introduced me, I have been hooked. You can buy pre-packaged Edamame for about $6.99 at Target. Are you kidding me? At Taki it's like $3.99 for a platter. This is about a cup and a half! All I want is some Soy Beans! Is that too much to ask?

It is once again freezing. When my alarm goes off in the morning, all I want to do is stay underneath my covers with my hubby who is permanently glued to me. I would love to just cuddle all day long instead of going out int he cold! Recently, that is all we do! If we are watching a movie, just talking or sleeping, we are attached. We have been this way for a few months and it's quite interesting. It's like we are in-sync. I move and he moves to accommodate without even noticing he is doing it. I do the same. We were playing a game of Sorry together, and we had to cuddle while doing it. That was interesting. I don't know, but, we have been in the Honeymoon stage now for about....well, almost 4 years in March! Haha.

Michael is working the weekend away! He has a pretty awesome side job to do this weekend! Just me and the boy!! Time for some shopping, visiting family and friends, and just getting some cuddle time in. A weekend is just what I need!

After a fantastic lunch at Centro with the "Girls" and a delicious dinner with friends at The Cheesecake Factory, I am ready for sleep. Also, only have 2 hours of sleep last night doesn't help!

It's still coming down

This morning I slept in a little longer, eventually I got up, messed around on the computer, got my lunch ready, and then decided to get ready for the work day. I thought, man, I even have time to do my hair and I am not rushed. WRONG. I turned on the TV and BAM! Hopes and dreams just poured out of me. It snowed. First off, I do not recall hearing it was going to snow. Second, I hadn't heard anything about a blizzard. My expectations of doing my hair resulted in a pile on my head as I realized I barely had time to get my face on!

Next up, the roads. They were horrible. They didn't even look like they had been touched in the over night hours. The drifts were already forming over the black whole of Meredith I live off of. I think this morning was the worst roads we have had all season. And it has been a lonnnnnng season. I will admit when I got to Crocker, I put it in 4-Lo and hit the gas. It was perfect snow for controlled sliding. Especially when the little one isn't in the car. I did make it into work safe and sound.

As the day progressed so did the deterioration of the roads. They kept announcing schools closing, roads blocked and Winter Storm Warnings. It was more then fartin' flakes outside. Even though we were in the city, the wind was still swirling around. I dreaded the commute home. I knew I would just have to take my time and go at my own pace. Who cares what others think? I have a 2 year old in my vehicle. I am driving carefully!

Ok Iowans. We have been dealing with snow since, well November. Have we not learned anything? I did see some improvement. There were still far too many accidents and heart racing moments.

1) I only witnessed 2 accidents and 1 VW getting stuck in a snow drift.

2) I only had to pull over twice for fire trucks and once for a cop.

3) We are in a blizzard, turn on your lights. Especially when you are on the death trap of Meredith drive and you can't even see the end of your own SUV.

4) This is not the Nationwide Nascar Series. Why speed? All you do is up your chances of getting into an accident and completely wigging out other drivers.

5) One 3 times did someone pull out in front of me that I had to slam on my breaks and have them lock up. That is a big improvement from last time!

6) I actually saw good samaritans helping one another out on the side of the road. Someone pulled over to help an elderly woman fix her flat tire and another witnessed someone fly off the road and they were giving them a ride.

7) Worst of the day. I witnessed 1 person reading while driving, 2 high school students texting while driving, someone going way above and beyond to light a cigarette on I235 and almost hit me three times, someone fixing their make up and another woman looking for something in the back seat. What in the world?

But everyone made it home safe and sound. The snow is still falling and the wind is screaming at my windows. My alarm is already set for an extra 15 minutes for tomorrow. I have a feeling I will need it!

And a Happy Birthday to Darcy!!!

We were talking this weekend. We got on the topic of addictions. I realized then, I seem to have a lot. Here is a list of my top contenders.

*Coffee, preferably at top quality fresh grained dark roast bean. Or just a quad no whip white choc mocha

*Michael Buble. The man just has to smile, look at the TV, belt out a note and I just melt. Never fails

*Wicked. The fact that Jana and I have been obsessed with this for almost 4 years now just blows my mind. We never get sick of the music and we can always talk about it. I think we might need an intervention.

*Twilight. My apologizes. I have no idea what it is. Maybe the fact that someday, Edward Cullen will come to my window. That or the fantasy of a dazzling, vegetarian , 100+ year old vampire is out there! We are down to what, 150 and some odd days?!

*Laughing. I am a sucker for this. I love the feeling of my abs in torture due to a good laugh. Especially when you are laughing too hard you have to run to the restroom.

*The 2 G's. Grey's and Glee. Both these shows I can watch the seasons over and over and it never gets old. Every woman wants to be kissed the way Owen kissed Christina

*Hair. I think I have embraced my hair. I am currently enjoying it so many different ways. I think it's because it's finally long enough. I still want it a few more inches longer, but still. Headbands, barrettes, pins, curls, straight, I just can't get enough.

*Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. It can melt away anything going on in the day. I love to just savor every bite.

*Candid photos. I am not partial to posed photos. I feel it is so....Olan Mills. I love capturing reactions to 1 single moment in time. I think it best sums a persons emotions.

*Bible. I swear, it has the answers to everything. It becomes your BFF and it's the greatest feeling in the world! No matter what kind of day I am having, I can open it up, and my whole world changes.

*Work. Not for the reasons of actually working, but for the people I get to spend my days with!

*Pens. I am very picky about my pens. Weird? Oh well. My favorite pen, they barely make anymore. It breaks my heart. I love a heavier pen vs a thin cheap Bic pen. I also love just the straight color of black! It keeps it clean and simple.

*iPod. I try not to leave home without. It's my companion at work and other times. Music is in my soul. I love it. It is a great escape. A good playlist, nothing beats it.

*Chips and Dip. Especially chips and salsa. I could eat it every meal of everyday. Maybe once and a while switch it up with Queso. Velveta, hamburger and salsa...Amazing.

*Target. I love how even my son does a Target dance. I love going to Target. My bank account, well it suffers. I enjoy it though!

*Cooking. Over the past year, Michael and I have had a lot of fun in the kitchen. We love cooking up new items and perfecting others. It adds spice to our steamy relationship!

*Friends and Family. Probably the greatest addiction there is. I never get enough of them. I am very fortunate to have such amazing people in my life. I am truly blessed.

*Jake. He has his own bullet. I never knew I could love someone this much. I have been so lucky with him and I love him more than anything. He teaches me so many new things and I love watching him grow.

*Michael. Again, he gets his own bullet. I love him. I love him. I LOVE HIM. I am at a loss for words when it comes to him. There are not enough feelings to express what I feel for him. There are not enough words to describe why I love him. He is my own Mr Amazing. My own definition of love. My own personal dream come true. My own...everything.

Slip slidin' away

Today was the first time as a parent, I really feared for the safety of my son. We have been blessed with a lovely ice covered metro. The trees are hanging low and some have even snapped. There are power outages and you are better off skating to work instead of driving. The commute in was, well, stressful so say the least. The interstate was fine, but those side streets. Talk about breaking a sweat before even getting to work! I got to my parents house and I put the SUV in park and pulled up the e-brake. I sat there for a moment, waiting for it to catch. It did. As I walked behind the SUV the beast started rolling backwards.

1) My 2 year old is still inside

2) It was rolling onto the street

3) I didn't want it to crash

4) I didn't want anyone to hit the car with my child still inside

5) I didn't know how to even stop it.

I tried to get back inside my door. Not a good idea. My right leg was in the car and then the SUV picked up momentum. I feel and the car lovingly dragged me down the rest of the way. My dad came to my rescue and took Jake up from there. There were some minor hysterics on my part but Jake was okay, so I can freak out. I then proceeded to stick my foot out of the SUV in the parking garage and managed to fall flat on my buttox. Ugh. I dislike ice very much. Around 10 am but leg and hip were killing me. Again, at least Jake is okay. The drive home was fine and I am hoping tomorrow morning isn't a repeat of day.

Music is always going in my car. In the beginning of December I made a GLEE cd of my top 19 favorite songs. It ended up replacing my holiday music and I haven't taken it out since. Jake has been in the car twice a day, everyday, 5 days a week with this music. Today, he showed his knowledge. "Don't Stop Believing" came on and he started singing it. Next, Defying Gravity. Now this child has heard that song since he was in utero so it doesn't surprise me that he has it memorized. Today though, he belted it out. It was so cute to hear a 2 year old sing it out. Makes me proud!! Then "My Life Would Suck Without You" came on. This about had me pulling over. He can sing almost the entire song. So funny. I am going to have to turn it on inside and video tape it! It's so fantastic!

ALSO! I can smell and taste again!!!! Some friends advised us of this lovely gadget called the Neti Pot. Let me tell you, it does wonders! It is the most unattractive thing you can do and you will want to do it alone! Unless you are married to someone who enjoys watching you do this and finds it absolutely hilarious. I had instant relief and I got my senses back!! I will have to remember I have this little friend next time a cold sneaks up on me and takes me out for a week!

It is not this pleasant but it is this unattractive. If your date does this in front of you...run

  

Ice storm a brewing

Forgive me weather-man/weather-woman, for I have sinned. It has been 2 weeks since I have had to complain about your weather report.

Turns out we got a two week vaca from the lovely winter that we have been having. I have embraced this vaca. It has been fantastic not having white knuckle syndrome while drive to and from work. I have enjoyed not getting up even earlier so that I can leave on time to be at my place of employment. The sun, it has been great seeing the sun! It's slowly but surely melting away the mountains of snow! I have also enjoyed not using my "Your Time" for weather related days. It looks like I might be using one of those days tomorrow. The weather is showing a lovely ice storm heading our direction. I have to options.

1) Stay home. Just not even try. Just stay at home and enjoy a day off with my 2 year old and pups. Not stressing out about driving, what the weather is doing and all that jazz.

2) Pack a bag, brave the drive and then if it gets too bad, leave early and stay with my rents. I might not get much sleep because I would have to share my bed with a 2 year old. That means no one is getting sleep! Then I am away from my hubs and my pups for a night. But then I also don't have to waste personal time.

Those are my options. I am leaning towards option #1 right now. I will have to tune into the news at 10. I did watch the "future cast" and it didn't look promising. On the upside, I can breath again!! I still cannot taste or smell anything. What a waste. If I loss these scenes for good, I do not know where I would be. Ok, smell, maybe not so much, but taste?! We had my favorite soup today and I couldn't even taste it! Lets just hope this is all over soon! I can breathe though and I finally slept through the night for the first time since Thursday! Woohoo!!

On a side note, I want Curtis Stone to come to my house. There are days he is dreamy and days that he isn't so much. I would take him either way. I would like him to sizzle up some steak in my house!! Curtis, my door is always open for you!! Lol.