Boredom Busters!

What to do when you are bored out of your mind.

From the photo archives of a 10 year old on Christmas Break. Jump off of the stairs and have your friends take pictures.


See how many goofy ways you can contort your tongue.
Have your friends take pictures


Lie on the pool table, pretending you are dead.
Have your friends take pictures.

Stuff your shirt with a pillow and pretend your are a kangaroo carrying your kangaroo-cat baby. Have your friends take pictures.

See how long you can carry a cat over your shoulders before the cat gets ticked off.



Have your friends take pictures.

Wait until the cat plays dead to avoid further torture.
Have your friends take pictures.

Leave all these goofy pictures on your mom's camera for her to find at a later date.

PRICELESS

These clips brought to you from Boredom Busters.
Where Boredom is OUR Business!

Boredom Busters!

What to do when you are bored out of your mind.

From the photo archives of a 10 year old on Christmas Break.

Jump off of the stairs and have your friends take pictures.


See how many goofy ways you can contort your tongue.
Have your friends take pictures


Lie on the pool table, pretending you are dead.
Have your friends take pictures.

Stuff your shirt with a pillow and pretend your are a kangaroo carrying your kangaroo-cat baby. Have your friends take pictures.

See how long you can carry a cat over your shoulders before the cat gets ticked off.



Have your friends take pictures.

Wait until the cat plays dead in order to ward off further torture.
Have your friends take pictures.

Leave all these goofy pictures on your mom's camera for her to find at a later date.

PRICELESS

These clips brought to you from Boredom Busters.
Where Boredom is OUR Business!

The Woman Cave

O! I am so excited as I rearranged my woman cave yesterday to accommodate a NEW TV that Grandma was getting rid of over Christmas! Mr. Milo was kind enough to pull the cable through the wall to 'hook' me up and after some creative restructuring, TATATA! I might NEVER come out! There is something about a cement basement floor and insulated walls that is VERY appealing to me. I think it goes all the way back to my childhood, where I spent a lot of time at my desk in the basement doing homework in the same surroundings.

So after supper last night (chicken shells), I grabbed my tall glass of water, TV remote, and I was in scrapbook heaven! Me and Dr. House mingled until 10:45, a hour past my bedtime. And I created some incredible productions! My mantra for 2009, I WILL CATCH UP ON MY SCRAPBOOKING! I am currently working on year 2 of Madison's life, she was soo CUTE! I decided to start with her, as she had the smallest number of years to do! Don't forget, Madison is 10, Kennedy is 13, and Milo and I are???? But with this newly created woman cave, there is NO STOPPING me now! Just leave the food at the door! No kids or husbands allowed! Let the CREATIVE juices FLOW!

Em. Do you like my flowers?

Mom. What type of tree is Madison's? I still need to put a journal entry on this page.

I 'may' have my first family scrapbook challenge complete this week! Some extra creative juices were flowing last night!

So Monday, December 29th, 2008. No School this week. YEAH! Girls are still sleeping. I have a laundry list of work things to be accomplish today, a sales goal to meet, and a more than my finger and toes can count of phone calls to make, so I best refill the coffee mug and 'make hay, while the sun shines (or girls sleep).

Have you dumped your bucket yet?

Have a Merry Monday!

The Woman Cave

O! I am so excited as I rearranged my woman cave yesterday to accommodate a NEW TV that Grandma was getting rid of over Christmas! Mr. Milo was kind enough to pull the cable through the wall to 'hook' me up and after some creative restructuring, TATATA! I might NEVER come out! There is something about a cement basement floor and insulated walls that is VERY appealing to me. I think it goes all the way back to my childhood, where I spent a lot of time at my desk in the basement doing homework in the same surroundings.

So after supper last night (chicken shells), I grabbed my tall glass of water, TV remote, and I was in scrapbook heaven! Me and Dr. House mingled until 10:45, a hour past my bedtime. And I created some incredible productions! My mantra for 2009, I WILL CATCH UP ON MY SCRAPBOOKING! I am currently working on year 2 of Madison's life, she was soo CUTE! I decided to start with her, as she had the smallest number of years to do! Don't forget, Madison is 10, Kennedy is 13, and Milo and I are???? But with this newly created woman cave, there is NO STOPPING me now! Just leave the food at the door! No kids or husbands allowed! Let the CREATIVE juices FLOW!

Em. Do you like my flowers?

Mom. What type of tree is Madison's? I still need to put a journal entry on this page.

I 'may' have my first family scrapbook challenge complete this week! Some extra creative juices were flowing last night!

So Monday, December 29th, 2008. No School this week. YEAH! Girls are still sleeping. I have a laundry list of work things to be accomplish today, a sales goal to meet, and a more than my finger and toes can count of phone calls to make, so I best refill the coffee mug and 'make hay, while the sun shines (or girls sleep).

Have you dumped your bucket yet?

Have a Merry Monday!

Dump Your Bucket!

Have you dumped your bucket recently?

We had a wonderful time in NW Iowa celebrating Christmas, however for some reason this year I couldn't wait to get home. Our trip home was uneventful except for the last 5 miles when the roads were completely iced over due to thawing and then refreezing at the 5:00 hour.

It felt so good yesterday to walk into our house. After unloading the van, getting the wash started, and a quick sorting of the mail, the girls were off to friends houses for sleep-overs. Milo and I decided to forgo the chicken shells, I had had the neighbors move from the freezer to the fridge to thaw that day and instead use our Pizza Ranch gift card for a night on the town.

After dinner, we snuggled up on the couch with a glass of wine to watch a repeat of Click and Failure to Launch until we both fell asleep. The Duman was extra glad to be home as once the van started getting packed that morning, she jumped in and refused to get out! She spent an entire hour waiting for our departure. Maxi Pad of course was love deprived and slept practically on top of our heads last night, every few minutes purring for extra attention.

My BIG bed and down comforter was extra cozy last night as I had changed our sheets before leaving due to my flu bug. Don't you LOVE fresh sheets? We both slept like a rock!

One of the things I always do heading into the last week of the year is 'dump my bucket', that is on a big legal pad of paper. I had forgotten to toss one in before leaving, so I asked to borrow one from my mom. For a good 3 hours yesterday I dumped and dumped and dumped everything that was racing through my head. Things from forecasting upcoming financial needs in 2009, to career goals, marketing ideas, ideas for building relationships with family and friends throughout the year, mental/emotional/physical personal goals for 2009, what went great in 2008 and what I needed to work on in 2009.

I am most definitely NOT a NEW YEAR resolution maker. I don't believe in them because EVERY day can be a day that you make the decision to change a behavior or a thought pattern. This dumping my bucket is something I do on a regular basis to constantly evaluate and look for ways to grow, change, and improve.

So have your dumped your bucket recently?

Ideas for dumping your bucket.

Take a pad of paper. The bigger the better in my case.

Allow one or two sheets for each topic. Your topics may being the following and any others that you may want to include.

My headers include the following:

Career

Spiritual

Family (significant other, immediate children)

Family (extended family ie. siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents)

Friends

Physical Health

Mental/Emotional Health

Finances

Then just DUMP anything that you want to on those topics. Successes, failures, ideas, goals, things to do, etc... Ask your spouse or significant other to do the same, then make a date to share and compare each others dump bucket. You may discover somethings you NEVER knew!

Check in tomorrow for ideas of what to do once you have 'dumped your bucket'.

Jill

Dump Your Bucket!

Have you dumped your bucket recently?

We had a wonderful time in NW Iowa celebrating Christmas, however for some reason this year I couldn't wait to get home. Our trip home was uneventful except for the last 5 miles when the roads were completely iced over due to thawing and then refreezing at the 5:00 hour.

It felt so good yesterday to walk into our house. After unloading the van, getting the wash started, and a quick sorting of the mail, the girls were off to friends houses for sleep-overs. Milo and I decided to forgo the chicken shells, I had had the neighbors move from the freezer to the fridge to thaw that day and instead use our Pizza Ranch gift card for a night on the town.

After dinner, we snuggled up on the couch with a glass of wine to watch a repeat of Click and Failure to Launch until we both fell asleep. The Duman was extra glad to be home as once the van started getting packed that morning, she jumped in and refused to get out! She spent an entire hour waiting for our departure. Maxi Pad of course was love deprived and slept practically on top of our heads last night, every few minutes purring for extra attention.

My BIG bed and down comforter was extra cozy last night as I had changed our sheets before leaving due to my flu bug. Don't you LOVE fresh sheets? We both slept like a rock!

One of the things I always do heading into the last week of the year is 'dump my bucket', that is on a big legal pad of paper. I had forgotten to toss one in before leaving, so I asked to borrow one from my mom. For a good 3 hours yesterday I dumped and dumped and dumped everything that was racing through my head. Things from forecasting upcoming financial needs in 2009, to career goals, marketing ideas, ideas for building relationships with family and friends throughout the year, mental/emotional/physical personal goals for 2009, what went great in 2008 and what I needed to work on in 2009.

I am most definitely NOT a NEW YEAR resolution maker. I don't believe in them because EVERY day can be a day that you make the decision to change a behavior or a thought pattern. This dumping my bucket is something I do on a regular basis to constantly evaluate and look for ways to grow, change, and improve.

So have your dumped your bucket recently?

Ideas for dumping your bucket.

Take a pad of paper. The bigger the better in my case.

Allow one or two sheets for each topic. Your topics may being the following and any others that you may want to include.

My headers include the following:

Career

Spiritual

Family (significant other, immediate children)

Family (extended family ie. siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents)

Friends

Physical Health

Mental/Emotional Health

Finances

Then just DUMP anything that you want to on those topics. Successes, failures, ideas, goals, things to do, etc... Ask your spouse or significant other to do the same, then make a date to share and compare each others dump bucket. You may discover somethings you NEVER knew!

Check in tomorrow for ideas of what to do once you have 'dumped your bucket'.

Jill

Packing UP!

You can bet that one of the first things I will do upon my feet walking through the threshold of our home will be to take down the Christmas decorations. I was chomping at the bit LAST night to change my blog background. Second to NOT RSVPing (I really should do a blog entry on that), lingering Christmas decorations is a HUGE pet peeve.

May be it is because heading into October 1st, I always feel like those next three months my feet never stop running. It begins with sewing Halloween costumes, followed by our traditional Halloween dinner, then three family birthday celebrations every two weeks for six weeks, Thanksgiving, Christmas preparations, and finally the actual Christmas celebration itself. It may sound like I am complaining, that is completely NOT true, I enjoy EVERY last detail in the planning, implementing, and celebration. May be it is the pending, 'fresh' start of the NEW YEAR that eggs on my excitement to 'pack up' 2008.

The last week of the calendar year is greeted with year end inventory, tax preparation, a 'family' 2009 planning meeting, goal setting for the first three months of the new year, a quiet reflection on 2008, and a packing up of the Christmas decorations (YEE HAW). Don't you feel like your house is bigger and cleaner after that process?

January through March is typically a time of the year when I devote extra time to the growth of my business. We have fewer 'family' commitments and I know I will have the next 3 - 4 months to work like mad woman before our 'spring' schedule takes shape. I LOVE this aspect of my life that allows me to have periods of intense work followed by periods of lighter work so that I am able to strike a balance between work and family.

Knowing how this last week of every calendar year shapes up, I hope you will check in daily for snippets of the reflection and planning that goes into closing out one year in preparation for the next and perhaps you may pick up a few tips and tricks as you strive to 'find balance in this BUSY world.'

Jill

P.S. When I get back to Cedar Rapids, I will be ordering more Phatfamily Posters for framing. If you would like one, please let me know. The total cost of the endeavor was $50. The poster is $10 plus shipping and handling for an 11X14. The frame I found at Target for $25. Then I had Michaels cut the 'special' mat for signing which ran $15. Deadline for ordering will be December 30th!

Packing UP!

You can bet that one of the first things I will do upon my feet walking through the threshold of our home will be to take down the Christmas decorations. I was chomping at the bit LAST night to change my blog background. Second to NOT RSVPing (I really should do a blog entry on that), lingering Christmas decorations is a HUGE pet peeve.

May be it is because heading into October 1st, I always feel like those next three months my feet never stop running. It begins with sewing Halloween costumes, followed by our traditional Halloween dinner, then three family birthday celebrations every two weeks for six weeks, Thanksgiving, Christmas preparations, and finally the actual Christmas celebration itself. It may sound like I am complaining, that is completely NOT true, I enjoy EVERY last detail in the planning, implementing, and celebration. May be it is the pending, 'fresh' start of the NEW YEAR that eggs on my excitement to 'pack up' 2008.

The last week of the calendar year is greeted with year end inventory, tax preparation, a 'family' 2009 planning meeting, goal setting for the first three months of the new year, a quiet reflection on 2008, and a packing up of the Christmas decorations (YEE HAW). Don't you feel like your house is bigger and cleaner after that process?

January through March is typically a time of the year when I devote extra time to the growth of my business. We have fewer 'family' commitments and I know I will have the next 3 - 4 months to work like mad woman before our 'spring' schedule takes shape. I LOVE this aspect of my life that allows me to have periods of intense work followed by periods of lighter work so that I am able to strike a balance between work and family.

Knowing how this last week of every calendar year shapes up, I hope you will check in daily for snippets of the reflection and planning that goes into closing out one year in preparation for the next and perhaps you may pick up a few tips and tricks as you strive to 'find balance in this BUSY world.'

Jill

Big Spoon or Little Spoon.

So are you a BIG spoon person or a little spoon person?

While enjoying our yearly Christmas Eve chili and chicken noodle soup last night, the topic of discussion turned to if you preferred to eat your soup with a little spoon or a BIG spoon? Ironically of the four couples present, it was discovered each person had married a person of the opposite size spoon preference. That of course playing into the common theme that opposites do indeed attract.

A side note on soup, should chili be considered a soup or is it hearty enough to be labeled a stew? Or does stand alone in its own separate category? More discussion on that later.

Other than my brother-in-law, each woman present had married a man who preferred to eat their soup and even cereal with a BIG spoon. Since my brother-in-law fell into the little spoon category (giving him the benefit of the doubt) we could omit the theory that only MEN would prefer a BIG spoon to a little spoon.

My rational for preferring a little spoon, in fact I even cringe at the thought of having to use a BIG spoon when a little spoon is not available, is that by using a little spoon it allows me to savor my soup longer, enjoying EVERY little bit. A BIG spoon just seems cumbersome and almost an insult to the food itself.

However, very ironically tonight at supper, when asking Mr. Milo to give me a fork, across the counter slid a little fork. Much to my dismay, I immediately thought how I would much prefer a BIG fork to a small fork any day. I almost distest using a little fork, as much as I distest using a BIG spoon. hmmmm...a little twist to the theory.

So without having to apply for a major GRANT of some sort today to conduct this significant, world changing research study, by a simple click of the mouse in the below comment section you could participate in either confirming or dispelling the fact today that BIG spoon people ALWAYS attract to little spoon people. If you are married or have a significant other in your life please post a comment today indicating if you attracted a BIG spoon person or a little spoon person in your life.

So, BIG spoon or little spoon? What the heck, might as well throw in your fork preference as well as a variable factor!

P.S. Saw Marley & Me this afternoon. Thanks to a Grandma and PaPa treat. Must admit I teared up a bit and of course was busted by the 'dog lovers' in my life. I was quick to rebuttal that I also teared up at the Bucket List. What can I say, I am a sensitive person. To touching movies, YES. To dogs, NO!

Big Spoon or Little Spoon.

So are you a BIG spoon person or a little spoon person?

While enjoying our yearly Christmas Eve chili and chicken noodle soup last night, the topic of discussion turned to if you preferred to eat your soup with a little spoon or a BIG spoon? Ironically of the four couples present, it was discovered each person had married a person of the opposite size spoon preference. That of course playing into the common theme that opposites do indeed attract.

A side note on soup, should chili be considered a soup or is it hearty enough to be labeled a stew? Or does stand alone in its own separate category? More discussion on that later.

Other than my brother-in-law, each woman present had married a man who preferred to eat their soup and even cereal with a BIG spoon. Since my brother-in-law fell into the little spoon category (giving him the benefit of the doubt) we could omit the theory that only MEN would prefer a BIG spoon to a little spoon.

My rational for preferring a little spoon, in fact I even cringe at the thought of having to use a BIG spoon when a little spoon is not available, is that by using a little spoon it allows me to savor my soup longer, enjoying EVERY little bit. A BIG spoon just seems cumbersome and almost an insult to the food itself.

However, very ironically tonight at supper, when asking Mr. Milo to give me a fork, across the counter slid a little fork. Much to my dismay, I immediately thought how I would much prefer a BIG fork to a small fork any day. I almost distest using a little fork, as much as I distest using a BIG spoon. hmmmm...a little twist to the theory.

So without having to apply for a major GRANT of some sort today to conduct this significant, world changing research study, by a simple click of the mouse in the below comment section you could participate in either confirming or dispelling the fact today that BIG spoon people ALWAYS attract to little spoon people. If you are married or have a significant other in your life please post a comment today indicating if you attracted a BIG spoon person or a little spoon person in your life.

So, BIG spoon or little spoon? What the heck, might as well throw in your fork preference as well as a variable factor!

P.S. Saw Marley & Me this afternoon. Thanks to a Grandma and PaPa treat. Must admit I teared up a bit and of course was busted by the 'dog lovers' in my life. I was quick to rebuttal that I also teared up at the Bucket List. What can I say, I am a sensitive person. To touching movies, YES. To dogs, NO!

P IS FOR

Just a reminder Milo's Bible verse is Ephesians 2:8

It was truly a great Christmas! See you all soon. Love you Mom

WAY TO GO JULES

CONGRATULATIONS to THE BIGGEST LOSER!!! 28 lbs. slimmer and lookin good.

Just think 103 lbs. total. AWESOME! After the holidays we can all get on track and who knows what we can do in the next ten weeks.

We need to mark out calendars for March 8, 2009

Green team your lean and mean!!

Fortunately the flu bug at our house was about a 24 hour bug, although both Kennedy and I are still a feeling a bit punky today, however NOTHING like yesterday.

We both went back to bed at 11:00 and slept until 3:30. After attempting to get through most of my to-do list yesterday in preparations for leaving for Christmas in NW Iowa, I was back in bed at 8:00 and slept until 7:30 this morning. I was plowing through my last minute Christmas cooking obligations, lemon bars, stuffed chicken shells, and chicken noodle soup early yesterday evening, sipping my 7Up and counting the minutes until I could go back to bed. Mr. Milo came up to ask (bless him, he did do my grocery run for me) when we were leaving tomorrow morning. With 6 loads of wash still staring at me, I collapsed in his arms and said when the wash is done and the rest of this list is checked off. He lifted my head into his hands and said, 'Do you feel as bad as you look and smell?' I smiled and said, 'worse!'

Although I must admit with not having combed my hair all day and I don't know if the teeth got brushed, after a full nights sleep the night before and another 4 1/2 hours that day, I am guessing he was right on the money. He still kissed and hugged me and said, go to bed.

Waiting on a few more loads of wash to wrap up so we can finish packing then off for a week in Sanborn, Iowa! Both Milo and I grew up in Sanborn. Milo's brother and sister-in-law just moved back there this fall. We will be staying at their house for the week, as we are able to bring the DUMAN with us. Grandma and Grandpa do not allow pets in there house, so every year the DUMAN has to stay home, but not THIS year! Poor Maxi-pad will be all alone for the week, except for his kitty-sitter checking on him daily.

I hope to blog daily, but who knows, the schedule will be tossed out the window for the week!

Merry Christmas!

Jill

Merry Christmas

Fortunately the flu bug at our house was about a 24 hour bug, although both Kennedy and I are still a feeling a bit punky today, however NOTHING like yesterday.

We both went back to bed at 11:00 and slept until 3:30. After attempting to get through most of my to-do list yesterday in preparations for leaving for Christmas in NW Iowa, I was back in bed at 8:00 and slept until 7:30 this morning. I was plowing through my last minute Christmas cooking obligations, lemon bars, stuffed chicken shells, and chicken noodle soup early yesterday evening, sipping my 7Up and counting the minutes until I could go back to bed. Mr. Milo came up to ask (bless him, he did do my grocery run for me) when we were leaving tomorrow morning. With 6 loads of wash still staring at me, I collapsed in his arms and said when the wash is done and the rest of this list is checked off. He lifted my head into his hands and said, 'Do you feel as bad as you look and smell?' I smiled and said, 'worse!'

Although I must admit with not having combed my hair all day and I don't know if the teeth got brushed, after a full nights sleep the night before and another 4 1/2 hours that day, I am guessing he was right on the money. He still kissed and hugged me and said, go to bed.

Waiting on a few more loads of wash to wrap up so we can finish packing then off for a week in Sanborn, Iowa! Both Milo and I grew up in Sanborn. Milo's brother and sister-in-law just moved back there this fall. We will be staying at their house for the week, as we are able to bring the DUMAN with us. Grandma and Grandpa do not allow pets in there house, so every year the DUMAN has to stay home, but not THIS year! Poor Maxi-pad will be all alone for the week, except for his kitty-sitter checking on him daily.

I hope to blog daily, but who knows, the schedule will be tossed out the window for the week!

Merry Christmas!

Jill

Christmas and The Flu

Well, the flu bug has bit at the Japenga household. Kennedy got sick this morning and I believe I am heading in that direction as well. YUCK!

I am guessing after I get this blog posted, I am heading back to bed for the rest of the morning, even though I have a to-do list staring at me in the face. Breathe in, breathe out, who said we HAD to leave tomorrow for Sanborn!

We had our family Christmas yesterday with a bit of a spin on things. I had tagged all of the gifts to the 'wrong' person. They thought they were so smart thinking, they had figured it all out. Then once we handed out gifts, Milo said there had been a slight twist to things and their gifts were not REALLY their gifts. I loved the instant 'panic' look on their faces! I then shared that they should flip the gift over and look for a VERY faint pencil marking of the initials of the person, who's gift it really was.

This year, everyone was given $100 to by three gifts with. There was the option to go to another family member and suggest they 'combine' funds to get that person, one BIG gift.

Kennedy scored a heated blanket from her dad. She is always cold!

The new Twilight soundtrack from her sis and a new back pack from mom.

Madison landed a snow tube for sledding from dad, a new favorite book from mom, and $30 dollars to use towards a New Year's Even lockin party with friends.

Milo received a new leather motorcycle jacket (a GREAT ebay find), a bottle of Crown, and a movie rental.

Jill got the ONE and ONLY thing on her Christmas list.....a Nintendo DS! ROCK ON!

There was a slight air of disappointment with the girls, as each had wanted ONLY an iPod!

They didn't say a word and the day rolled on. We had friends over last night for dinner, THEN Santa made ONE last drop late last night!

Madison was up first this morning and discovered Santa's surprise and was elated with her green iPod! She kept saying, 'I just can't believe I got an iPod!'

Kennedy rolled out an hour later (a bit green) to the unveiling of her purple iPod. Her comment after opening, 'Boy I think my stomach feels better!' Then 20 minutes later, she landed in the bathroom.

So with play list set up and new songs being downloaded off of itunes cards, mama bear is headed back to bed! I have videos of the iPod reactions, however you will have to wait until later in the day to watch. Nausea is getting the best of me right now!

You know partner, I will do ANYTHING it takes for us to win the weigh in challenge the week!

Blizzard warnings and wild winds are whipping up a blustery day!

See you soon!

Jill

Christmas and The Flu

Well, the flu bug has bit at the Japenga household. Kennedy got sick this morning and I believe I am heading in that direction as well. YUCK!

I am guessing after I get this blog posted, I am heading back to bed for the rest of the morning, even though I have a to-do list staring at me in the face. Breathe in, breathe out, who said we HAD to leave tomorrow for Sanborn!

We had our family Christmas yesterday with a bit of a spin on things. I had tagged all of the gifts to the 'wrong' person. They thought they were so smart thinking, they had figured it all out. Then once we handed out gifts, Milo said there had been a slight twist to things and their gifts were not REALLY their gifts. I loved the instant 'panic' look on their faces! I then shared that they should flip the gift over and look for a VERY faint pencil marking of the initials of the person, who's gift it really was.

This year, everyone was given $100 to by three gifts with. There was the option to go to another family member and suggest they 'combine' funds to get that person, one BIG gift.

Kennedy scored a heated blanket from her dad. She is always cold!

The new Twilight soundtrack from her sis and a new back pack from mom.

Madison landed a snow tube for sledding from dad, a new favorite book from mom, and $30 dollars to use towards a New Year's Even lockin party with friends.

Milo received a new leather motorcycle jacket (a GREAT ebay find), a bottle of Crown, and a movie rental.

Jill got the ONE and ONLY thing on her Christmas list.....a Nintendo DS! ROCK ON!

There was a slight air of disappointment with the girls, as each had wanted ONLY an iPod!

They didn't say a word and the day rolled on. We had friends over last night for dinner, THEN Santa made ONE last drop late last night!

Madison was up first this morning and discovered Santa's surprise and was elated with her green iPod! She kept saying, 'I just can't believe I got an iPod!'

Kennedy rolled out an hour later (a bit green) to the unveiling of her purple iPod. Her comment after opening, 'Boy I think my stomach feels better!' Then 20 minutes later, she landed in the bathroom.

So with play list set up and new songs being downloaded off of itunes cards, mama bear is headed back to bed! I have videos of the iPod reactions, however you will have to wait until later in the day to watch. Nausea is getting the best of me right now!

You know partner, I will do ANYTHING it takes for us to win the weigh in challenge the week!

Blizzard warnings and wild winds are whipping up a blustery day!

See you soon!

Jill

CHRISTMAS SCRAPBOOKING FOR KIDS

Something to think about. I have a little scrapping project for Ken, Maddie, Carter, Macin, Claire and Hayden. They need to think about or bring a pixture of their favorite Place to be.
I will provide markers, stickers and tag board. It won't take a long
time to do and it will fit it with a P game I found. So tell them to put their thinking hats on or perhaps for the younger ones you can help by making suggestions or help them find a picture or whatever. No stress please. It is a fun project. Love ya Mom


Can't wait for Christmas!

NO SNOW NO BLOW

The snow has stopped in Sanborn and the wind has pretty well died down.

You can see the cemetary--visual test. Dad is out shoveling. I am browning hamburger for the nacho cheese dip next Wednesday. I am going to make my dinner rolls next Monday or Tuesday and a couple of other things. Got all my groceries bought and gifts are wrapped. Talked to Macin earlier and it sounded like a snowfort might be on the plan for this afternoon. Talked to Claire or should I said she visited with Bandit and Smokie. Kennedy's bb game was canceled and she sounded excited to come home.

Jen is staying inside with her roomies for the weekend.

I guess now we can wait for the windchills---BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Everybody stay safe and warm. Snowy snuggles Mom

Blizzarding in DRSD

Well, the blizzard warning is accurate, because it looks like a blizzard out there. Not so much snow, but a whole lot of wind blowing around the snow we have. We rented six DVDs on Friday, so we have been watching them and baking. Finally all of the baking is DONE! Yeah! And for all of you peanut ball lovers out there, they were finished about 10 minutes ago. Phew! Two more sewing presents to finish and three gifts to wrap, and I can honestly say that I see the light. Yee Haw... bring on Christmas!!!

Because the blizzard warning is through tomorrow, the church Christmas program has been postponed until January 4th. So looks like we may be staying put tomorrow as well. We had put in a request to have Santa drop off the presents early at our house. So pending that are request was approved by North Pole personel, we should be getting a visit from the big guy tonight while we are sleeping. So tomorrow morning will be lots of fun! And there are a couple of kids here that "CAN'T WAIT!!!"

Oh, I was looking at the weather, it looks pretty cold for the 24th...I think the high was 2 degrees. May be a little chilly for sledding, I was thinking about bringing home a game or two. Just an idea.

♥julie

THE MO

Milo's mom's birthday was yesterday and oops, I thought it was TODAY. Sorry Mo. I wanted to pay tribute to her today and share a few things about this awesome woman. Mary, AKA THE MO as her family coins her, entered my life 21 years ago when I started dating her son. If I had to describe our relationship at that time, I would have to be honest and say we were polar opposites. I loved weddings and girly stuff. She raised 3 boys and was focused on what made three boys happy. She said exactly what she thought, I never wanted to hurt any ones feelings. To be quite honest, my first encounter with THE MO was scary.

Over the last 21 years I have come to love this lady enormously. Just after Milo and I got married, she and Gary moved to Idaho to be closer to her ailing sister. We are fortunate to see them at least once a year and sometimes more. She works as a camp cook and EVERYTHING is homemade! EVERYTHING! People come from miles away JUST to taste some of THE MO's home cookin. I remember last time we visited, she would get up at 3:00 AM every day to get to camp to do ALL of the cooking for the day, so she could be home by noon to spend the rest of the day with us. One day she got delayed, because she was making HOMEMADE hamburger buns to bring home for our lunch. Guys who graduated from high school with Milo, wives' still call her because their husband was requesting something that THE MO made back in the day.

She raised three sons and NEVER missed one of their activities. She literally walks into my kitchen when I have deemed it 'empty of any possible food creations' and takes a little of this and that and whips up something delicious. Just yesterday when I was making stuffed mushrooms and had some of the stuffing left over, I called to ask, what should I do with this extra stuffing. Without hesitation, she rambled off a bunch of options so that NOTHING would go to waste. My newest request is that she start writing some of these recipes down, so that she can leave us a legacy. She adamantly disagrees. I will keep working on that one.

She has been there for me whenever I desperately needed her and I know to this day, one phone call and she would be on the first plane back to Iowa with no hesitation. She has a way of building confidence in kids that is remarkable. When she says she likes something you did or said, you just KNOW that she is sincere in her praise.

Over the last 21 years, I have grown in confidence she has soften more to the girly side. When she comes for a visit we have found a balance between her cooking and me cooking. I was tickled in November on a Sunday at noon, she would call me while whoopin it up in Las Vegas so I could share in her fun, as I have done the same with her.

I couldn't interview her, as she would consider that ridiculous, why would anyone give a 'crap'. And unfortunately because of the miles that separate us, pictures are sparse and I won't post the few out dated ones that I have. Your Welcome, MO. I need to get better at more pics when we are together. I do have a message into my brother-in-law, who she is visiting in AZ today to have him snap one and email it. Check in later for a possible pic of this GREAT lady!

So to THE MO today, thanks for being a grounding force in my life. Thank you for giving me an incredible man who is loving and builds confidence in those around him, as you laid the ground work years ago in him. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for giving me the unwavering confidence that no matter what turn life takes, you would jump through whatever obstacles to come to my aid. Thank you for teaching me the importance of family and for being a role model in my life.

Happy Be-Lated Birthday!

I love you.

Jill

THE MO

Milo's mom's birthday was yesterday and oops, I thought it was TODAY. Sorry Mo. I wanted to pay tribute to her today and share a few things about this awesome woman. Mary, AKA THE MO as her family coins her, entered my life 21 years ago when I started dating her son. If I had to describe our relationship at that time, I would have to be honest and say we were polar opposites. I loved weddings and girly stuff. She raised 3 boys and was focused on what made three boys happy. She said exactly what she thought, I never wanted to hurt any ones feelings. To be quite honest, my first encounter with THE MO was scary.

Over the last 21 years I have come to love this lady enormously. Just after Milo and I got married, she and Gary moved to Idaho to be closer to her ailing sister. We are fortunate to see them at least once a year and sometimes more. She works as a camp cook and EVERYTHING is homemade! EVERYTHING! People come from miles away JUST to taste some of THE MO's home cookin. I remember last time we visited, she would get up at 3:00 AM every day to get to camp to do ALL of the cooking for the day, so she could be home by noon to spend the rest of the day with us. One day she got delayed, because she was making HOMEMADE hamburger buns to bring home for our lunch. Guys who graduated from high school with Milo, wives' still call her because their husband was requesting something that THE MO made back in the day.

She raised three sons and NEVER missed one of their activities. She literally walks into my kitchen when I have deemed it 'empty of any possible food creations' and takes a little of this and that and whips up something delicious. Just yesterday when I was making stuffed mushrooms and had some of the stuffing left over, I called to ask, what should I do with this extra stuffing. Without hesitation, she rambled off a bunch of options so that NOTHING would go to waste. My newest request is that she start writing some of these recipes down, so that she can leave us a legacy. She adamantly disagrees. I will keep working on that one.

She has been there for me whenever I desperately needed her and I know to this day, one phone call and she would be on the first plane back to Iowa with no hesitation. She has a way of building confidence in kids that is remarkable. When she says she likes something you did or said, you just KNOW that she is sincere in her praise.

Over the last 21 years, I have grown in confidence she has soften more to the girly side. When she comes for a visit we have found a balance between her cooking and me cooking. I was tickled in November on a Sunday at noon, she would call me while whoopin it up in Las Vegas so I could share in her fun, as I have done the same with her.

I couldn't interview her, as she would consider that ridiculous, why would anyone give a 'crap'. And unfortunately because of the miles that separate us, pictures are sparse and I won't post the few out dated ones that I have. Your Welcome, MO. I need to get better at more pics when we are together. I do have a message into my brother-in-law, who she is visiting in AZ today to have him snap one and email it. Check in later for a possible pic of this GREAT lady!

So to THE MO today, thanks for being a grounding force in my life. Thank you for giving me an incredible man who is loving and builds confidence in those around him, as you laid the ground work years ago in him. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for giving me the unwavering confidence that no matter what turn life takes, you would jump through whatever obstacles to come to my aid. Thank you for teaching me the importance of family and for being a role model in my life.

Happy Be-Lated Birthday!

I love you.

Jill

Checking in

Not so much snow in Dell Rapids... about 3 I think. Certainly not enough to stop the routine of daily life here. We are supposed to get blizzard conditions this weekend. So we are planning on a totally at home weekend, which is just fine by me.

Stay warm everyone!
julie

Hello from Snowy Houston

Not having been actually outside yet, the early indications on the weather is that we have about 7-8 inches of snow, we another 6-8" coming tomorrow afternoon!! This is just nuts, another day without school. The girls and I are just hanging around the house. I have to get some things done for the banquet this afternoon, clean my muzzleloader, and get my ice fishing equipment ready to go for next week's trip home. Em is at school working in the online world, and I will probably do some house cleaning this afternoon to pass the time as well, and of course later when Em returns home take Macin outside to scoop out our driveway and sidewalks.

Otherwise it should be a quiet weekend around here. Em is going to finish up the Xmas shopping tomorrow including the rest of the Angel gift I believe. I will probably hang around home and do a few things around here as the snow begins to fly once again. Sunday we have the Xmas program at church, and then at 11 we are taking off for the Twin Cities for the Vikings game and the halftime recognition thing a ma jig! So it should be a relaxing weekend. We hope to be on the road at 3:45 on Tuesday, which puts us in Hartley close to 8:30 with a supper stop, which will more than likely be in Albert Lea at the Pizza Ranch.

Better run..Hayden looks like she is ready for her nap, I need some lunch, and off to work on my chores for the afternoon. Happy Snow Daze to all!

Jason

The Duman and the Accomplice

While it snowed and sleeted during the night hours (ONLY 3 inches to report this morning and NO SCHOOL), Riley partook in a little midnight snack. I had picked up some tasty stocking stuffers yesterday.

That, well ok I will say it, DUMAN (ok happy family)! DUMAN is human with out the H and dog without the D, putting more emphasis on the human part than the dog part. Before going to bed this DUMAN must have made a mental note, that there were some goodies in mom's bag.

Duman (contemplating the plan): Hmmmmm I will go to bed with them, wait till everyone is sleeping then quietly tip toe down to the office. I will unzip the bag with the persistent effort of my canine paw and nose and then when I have it open, I imagine a bright light will shine from inside the bag and I will hear ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. There just has to be some amazing treats awaiting! I can smell them through the bag, through the plastic sack, and through the wrappers. I think it smells like hostess cupcakes, Hershey bars, starburst, and ho-hos but I won't know for sure until I get in. I can't wait!

10:30 PM: Dad asleep (snoring). Check. Mom asleep. Check. Kennedy asleep. Check. Madison asleep. Check, Check. Listen hear Max, one word out of your whiny mouth or if you dare wake them up I will chew you up and spit you out, you hear! Now come on, may be I could use your help, but don't think you are getting any of the goods. And stop purring so loud!

10:40 PM: Duman and accomplice race down the stairs and enter the office. Duman spies the large, shiny black tote bag on the floor next to the printer.

10:41 PM: Duman whispers there is it, now you secure the base of the bag while I begin to nudge the zipper with my paw. Pawing increases with intensity until a slight movement of the zipper is noted.

10:44 PM: Duman then begins to wedge her nose into the small opening, moving the zipper more and more to the right. Until the bright light shines brighter and brighter and the sound of angels singing ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Duman snaps at accomplice, 'quick shut that door, so no one sees the light and hears anything'. Accomplice complies.

10:45 PM. Duman has entered the bag and it is filled with more that she can imagine! WOW! Check it out Max, there is so much more than I had smelled! Cheese Danish (never had that before), Hostess Cupcakes (I have only licked an empty container, but boy they are good), Hershey bars (cool both cookies & cream AND plain chocolate! I love chocolate), Recess Fast Breaks (peanut butter!!!), Ho-Hos, a nutter bar, Starburst (crap double wrapped, those are tough)...Max we have struck gold!

10:46 PM: Duman carries the goods out to the living room where she can spread her treasure out! Look at it Max! This is going to be better than Easter and all those chocolate eggs with the tin foil that I ate. Man, dude that tin foil was a tough poop and you remember that BIG bag of skillets I ate after Kennedy's birthday last month, man I had a gut ache, my gut was hard as a rock. And puke, I must have tossed my cookies at least 5 times! It was a really ruff morning. But this Max, this is the bomb. With all this snow we are getting, you know Dad is going to be up early to snow blow the driveway and well, I will get to go outside and run around to burn off all these calories, then Madison will be up and want to play too and there is more caloric burn. So I'll dig in and sleep off the sugar rush, eat most of the wrappers, and who will ever know! Paper wrappers, easy poop, they slide right out!

10:47 PM: Duman starts in, accomplice attempts to get some, but is only greeted with a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

11:10 PM. Max, come hear I need some help getting up these stairs. Why O why didn't you stop me at the Hershey bars? Man, I just went into zone and before I knew it, BAM, everything was gone. Hey man, thanks for your help, may be next time you can get in on a little of the loot. I sure didn't need ALL of it! You know, I hear them talking that I needed to beef up a a bit, I was starting to look a little too thin according to dad. OK..just a few more steps and one big jump on the bed and I can sleep off this rot gut, boy am I starting to get a sugar headache.

11:13 PM. Duman settles in for the night. Thanks again dude, hey do me a favor and pick up those last few wrappers I left laying on the floor, would ya. Then they won't know who did it. Thanks again buddy, your great. I won't give you so much crap next time you try to weasel in on some of the love action. Alright, gotta go, love ya..night....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The End

HOW FAR OFF IS THE WEIGHIN?

WE NEED A COUNTDOWN--- STARTING?

CRAZY LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

How soon we forget?

Mom

What is your weather??

FROM MY OFFICE

I think we got about 12 inches of snow. NO wind SO FAR!!! We will see what is forcast. Dad and I might slip out for some groceries, but if the wind picks up hold on tight!!! So what is going on in
Dell Rapids??
Cedar Rapids??
Houston??

Snowy Sanborn Weather Report Love ya Mom

The Duman and the Accomplice

While it snowed and sleeted during the night hours (ONLY 3 inches to report this morning), Riley partook in a little midnight snack. I had picked up some tasty stocking stuffers yesterday.

That, well ok I will say it, DUMAN (ok happy family)! DUMAN is human with out the H and dog without the D, putting more emphasis on the human part than the dog part. Before going to bed this DUMAN must have made a mental note, that there were some goodies in mom's bag.

Duman (contemplating the plan): Hmmmmm I will go to bed with them, wait till everyone is sleeping then quietly tip toe down to the office. I will unzip the bag with the persistent effort of my canine paw and nose and then when I have it open, I imagine a bright light will shine from inside the bag and I will hear ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. There just has to be some amazing treats awaiting! I can smell them through the bag, through the plastic sack, and through the wrappers. I think it smells like hostess cupcakes, Hershey bars, starburst, and ho-hos but I won't know for sure until I get in. I can't wait!

10:30 PM: Dad asleep (snoring). Check. Mom asleep. Check. Kennedy asleep. Check. Madison asleep. Check, Check. Listen hear Max, one word out of your whiny mouth or if you dare wake them up I will chew you up and spit you out, you hear! Now come on, may be I could use your help, but don't think you are getting any of the goods. And stop purring so loud!

10:40 PM: Duman and accomplice race down the stairs and enter the office. Duman spies the large, shiny black tote bag on the floor next to the printer.

10:41 PM: Duman whispers there is it, now you secure the base of the bag while I begin to nudge the zipper with my paw. Pawing increases with intensity until a slight movement of the zipper is noted.

10:44 PM. Duman then begins to wedge her nose into the small opening, moving the zipper more and more to the right. Until the bright light shines brighter and brighter and the sound of angels singing ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Duman snaps at accomplice, 'quick shut that door, so no one sees the light and hears anything'. Accomplice complies.

10:45 PM. Duman has entered the bag and it is filled with more that she can imagine! WOW! Check it out Max, there is so much more that I had smelled! Cheese Danish (never had that before), Hostess Cupcakes (I have only licked an empty container, but boy they are good), Hershey bars (cool both cookies & cream AND plain chocolate! I love chocolate), Recess Fast Breaks (peanut butter!!!), Ho-Hos, a nutter bar, Starburst (crap double wrapped, those are tough)...Max we have struck gold!

10:46 PM. Duman carries the goods out to the living room where she can spread her treasure out! Look at it Max! This is going to be better than Easter and all those chocolate eggs with the tin foil that I ate. Man, dude that tin foil was a tough poop and you remember that BIG bag of skillets I ate after Kennedy's birthday last month, man I had a gut ache, my gut was hard as a rock. And puke, I must have tossed my cookies at least 5 times! It was a really ruff morning. But this Max, this is the bomb. With all this snow we are getting, you know Dad is going to be up early to snow blow the driveway and well, I will get to go outside and run around to burn off all these calories, then Madison will be up and want to play too and there is more caloric burn. So I'll dig in and sleep off the sugar rush, eat most of the wrappers, and who will ever know! Paper wrappers, easy poop, they slide right out!

10:47 PM. Duman starts in, accomplice attempts to get some, but is only greeted with a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

11:10 PM. Max, come hear I need some help getting up these stairs. Why O why didn't you stop me at the Hershey bars? Man, I just went into zone and before I knew it, BAM, everything was gone. Hey man, thanks for your help, may be next time you can get in on a little of the loot. I sure didn't need ALL of it! You know, I hear them talking that I needed to beef up a a bit, I was starting to look a little too thin according to dad. OK..just a few more steps and one big jump on the bed and I can sleep off this rot gut, boy am I starting to get a sugar headache.

11:13 PM. Duman settles in for the night. Thanks again dude, hey do me a favor and pick up those last few wrappers I left laying on the floor, would ya. Then they won't know who did it. Thanks again buddy, your great. I won't give you so much crap next time you try to weasel in on some of the love action. Alright, love ya..night....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The End