Is it just me or is Midnight getting to be a big boy? I'm not sure if I've posted this picture before, or not, so if I have-sorry! I bet Layla wishes everyone would quit laying on her! On the other hand, I'm pretty sure she doesn't mind (most days), I think she misses her big brother (like we do) and this way she still gets feline companionship.

Today was just another repeat of yesterday. I thought about being really lazy and not doing ANYTHING, but I just couldn't. So, laundry was done, carpets were vacumned and kids were picked up after. The only difference between yesterday and today is the fact that I am out of books. Out. Of. Books. As in, I have nothing to read. Granted, I have my bookshelves, but I'm to the point that if you hold the book in front of me I could tell you the plot, the characters and the ending. And that's after I purged my shelves not too long ago. I need to see if Chris wants to get rid of any books. He doesn't read as much as I do, but he likes The Destroyer series and the Star Wars books, alot of Sci-Fi. The library called and White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz is in for me. By the time I rememered tonight the library had already closed for the evening. The one near my house has strange hours, like different closing times for almost every day of the week and weekend.

Daughter has class tonorrow and I'll be sure to run by there before I drop her off and Son and I take off for the OTHER library. Or I may take him to BAMM. I have a little credit left on a gift card and I may buy a book. Not to mention I need to get over to the UBS soon. *sigh* So many things to do, not enough time sometimes to do them.

That's all from me. I'm tired and haven't been sleeping well again, hence the lateness of this post. Y'all rest, have a good wednesday. The end of the week is already inching closer to the weekend. Sleep well, sweet dreams, of.....well you decide *g*. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: None. I've had the blah's today. Tomorrow, back to it.

Layla sacked out on the floor again. She spends alot of time like this. Most of it means, "see me, pay attention to me, play with me!" Who could ignore this? Not me.

Today was just another day. Daughter spent it doiig schoolwork, Son spent alot of it in my lap. He must have just needed to for some reason. I didn't mind, he's growing up too fast. It's scarey, but in a month and a half, he'll be 5 years old. My littlest one, won't be little much longer.

I hope you all had a good day. I know how stressful Mondays can be. I'm sure you all are glad it's over. I didn't have much to say tonight, sorry. Sleep well and sweet dreams to you! Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 3.1 miles, 3.6-4.2mph, 6 incline.

Hahaha! Another kitty pile. Butterscotch, Fireball and Midnight pile together and sleep IN MY CHAIR. See how Butterscotch is piled on top of Midnight? They ALL do this to each other. The older cats aren't real thrilled with them when they try to do it to them.

Ahh, sunday. Yeah, ironing day here. FUN! Oh and as much as I love my duvet cover, ugh, on putting it back on the duvet. Think really HUGE flat pillow going into a pillow case. W have a Cal. King bed, and the duvet is the same size. Oh, have I mentioned our duvet? Can I tell y'all I ADORE eBay? I found a mulberry silk filled duvet on there almost 2 years ago. Why silk filled? Because Chris and I are allergic to Down. And the silk duvet is hypoallergenic. We used it last year when our power went out in January for 4 days. We stayed toasty warm under that thing. I'm going to get both kids one each next month. Right now they both have quilts and blankets. This is one of the reasons I've been looking for a Star Wars fabric that Son and I can agree on, so that I can make him a Duvet cover. (I gave up the quilt idea. I'm not a bad sewer, but I'm not gifted either!) And then the next month I'll find a nice fabeic for Daughter. (Preferably purple and silky.)

Chris finally put away the Christmas lights, off of the garage floor. I threatened him. (Yes, not only am I a bad Mom, I'm a terrible wife. *g*) I told him if he didn't put them away I would throw them away and I wouldn't let him put them up next year. He wrapped them all up and put them in the storage bin! HA! (I win!) (I know, juvenille of me.)

Well, I've read another book. It's listed in the post below.

Ya'll have a good evening. Seriously. Tend to yourselves, get the rest you need to face tomorrow. Mondays are always hard, so if you are able to face them rested and refreshed, they can't damage your psyche as badly. Sweet dreams, dream of an innocent time, before worries became a part of daily life. Goodnight, B.

Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind by Karen Kelley.
I was lucky to read this book even though it's not due out for another month!

Mala is tired of her perfect life. A pill if you're hungry and a smoothie if you're sad; she want's more from her life than that. Even men, other than 'companion units', have been gone from her world for a LONG time. Luckily she has her Grandmothers forbidden journals about a place called Earth and a XXX 'Documnetary' about a man called Sheriff. Mala decides to break the rules and visit Earth, in search of Sherriff and for once in her life, sex with a HUMAN man. Mala want's to "Live" life, instead of being an observer of it.
And so ensues a fun story filled with an Alien trying to adjust to Earth and it's 'primitive" ways, including men, namely Sheriff Mason McKinlry. Mala's discovery of food, and especially chocolate will delight readers and tickle the funny bone.
Mason has alot to adjust to as well. Just where does Mila come from? And why do the lights flicker every time she experiences an extreme emotion? Mason tries to understand the woman staying with him and exactly why her story of being from Sweden doesn't ring true.
Will Mala and Mason be able to do more than explore their explosive chemistry together or will Mala's time on Earth be cut short before Mason realzes he can't live without her?
Readers will laugh at the references to "squirrels in the transformers" and Mala's curiosity of Earth, it's people and it's customs.
All in all, a nice book to read on a cold night. Because not only does the chemistry between Mala and Mason heat up, but so will you!! Not to mention, who can refuse the tagline: "Beam me up hottie"!

Butterscotch, Athena and Layla love to look out the storm door. This didn't last long as it's been cold here lately! I placed a bird feeder on the front porch a couple of weeks ago. So far no birds, but I am hopeful they will discover it soon and then the cats will have something to look AT outside. (Besides I love it when cats see birsd and "chirrup".

Remember how I was so optomistic of all that I was going to get done today? You knew didn't you? You laughed at my hopes. I know you did. I only managed to get my library books today. That's it. *sigh* We decided not to go to Mass today, because e prefer the one on Sunday anyway, and the Saturday Mass is full of hearing aids ringing. It's kind of distracting. I'm not being mean, promise.
I did forget to tell you that Chris has a sweet tooth attack this week, in itself a bit of a miracle. He picked up a cake mix from the store and BAKED!!! My husband! And it was good!! I told him now he needs to learn to make a cheescake, because that's what I want for my birthday. He said he would. I have high hopes. Well, not really, but hey I have to give him the benefit of doubt.
Anyway, the books I got from the library are: Dream Quest edited by J.C. Wilder and Linnea Sinclair, Calamity Jane Rides Again by Kathleen Bacus, and A Nascar Holiday an anthology with Kimberly Raye, Roxanne St. Clair and Debra Webb. (No teasing about the Nascar book please, I was curious.)
I'm off to bed, y'all have a good night. I hope your Saturday was fun. Tomorrow is a day of rest, although that's not usually true for us, so rest for me, okay? Sleep well, goodnight! B.

I thought this was cute and wanted to share it!

An oldie, but goodie picture. I love it when Lalyla flops over on the floor in front of me to pose like this. She looks sweet and innocent, right? Oh, so, wrong! This means she wants to PLAY! Also know as "let me grab your arm and jackrabbit feet against it!". I call this 'ferret baby' pose. And actually, picture a Meerkat as it stand on it's hind legs. Yup, that's the look.

Today was better. I slept really late and awoke feeling decent. The drainage is bad, but not as bd as yesterday. I figured out a cure. I just have to stay in my house forever! *g* Yeah, I know, that's not going to work.

Read a great book wednesday night and posted about it below this post.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get by the library and UBS. The library called and a few of the books I've placed on hold are in. Unfortunatley White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz isn't one of them. Soon, though, I hope! Then after that we are going to Mass and THEN hopefully to take back the sweater I've been meaning to return for over 2 weeks. So, tomorrow may be busy. That's if I can get Chris and the kids in gear.

Oooh, guess what? I'm so proud of her! Daughter made a 91 on her book report! (I send those off to be graded.)

Well, that's it from me. I keep telling y'all I'm boring. I hope you have a great saturday. I hope you're able to maybe sleep a few extra minutes. Sleep well, and may your dreams take you to different worlds and times. Enjoy! Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 50 minutes of Yoga. And may I say it's unnerving to have a cat walk under you while you're in Bridge pose!

An Accidental Goddess by Linnea Sinclair

I'm not sure where to start with this book. The characters were well written and the story captivating. I stayed up all night to read this book and since I got this copy from the library, I'm heading to the UBS tomorrow to see if they have a copy!

Captain Gillaine Davre had just woken up in sick bay, and according to SIMON, 342 years in the future! She knew that last battle with the evil Fav'lhir was powerful, and that she had destroyed all their Mageline, but she didn't think it was worthy of Goddess stature! Unfortunatley, the Kalharans, the people she was protecting in the past have made her image into a Goddess. She just wants to be "Gillie". Especially to Admiral Rynan Makarian. "Mack" sees her as a potential danger at first, maybe even a smuggler. But, as they get to know each other will Gillie and Mack's attraction be enough to forge a bond of trust? As Gillie starts to suspect that the Fav'lhir are up to their old tricks and that a few of the Magelines may have survived, how will she tell Mack, the man she loves, that the Goddess he prays to, is the woman he confesses to love and that his Fleet is in Danger from an enemy long thought to be a non-threat? As Mack and Gillie fight to protect the people under his command and the civilians entrusted to his care, will her Goddess stature and the power she wields keep Mack from loving her, and all that entails? And will Mack discover that this powerful woman wants to be loved as any other woman? Or that his family has a few secrets of it's own?

I haven't read Sci-Fi in a LONG time and I have to say I really, REALLY loved this book. Don't think of it as a Romance with a Sci-Fi twist. There is romance, but it doesn't overpower the story. And the story makes room for the romance of the characters. I know I'm gushing. I can't help it. *g*

Butterscotch, aka: Puppy. IS. NOT. RIGHT. Seriously.(sp) (I'm tired, but can't sleep, sue me). He's sweet as can be, but has no concept of "not now". And is it just me or is this picture making y'all dizzy as well?

If y'all can't tell, the drainage is back and BAD. I went out of the house yesterday and woke up this way. SO, no head cold, stupid blasted allergies. I would like to thank everyone for their advice on how to deal with all this. It's so sweet of y'all and I appreciate it. I do, however, try not to take too many medications. So, I guess I'll just have to suffer right now.
I read an absolutely fabulous book last night, and um, stayed up too late doing so. I'll blog about it tomorrow though.
Keeping this short, because I'm brain dead at this point. Have a good friday. Sleep well, sweet dreams, goodnight.B.

Excercise: nope. Coughing too much from the drainage and having trouble swallowing. TOMORROW for sure.

Miss Patches is just hanging out in my kitchen. (Please excuse the chair. Son decided it would be okay to wipe play dough on it last year and I STILL can't get it all out! ) All the cats like these chairs. They fight on top of them, stand on top of them and LOVE to play on them and make them fall over. Isn't that a lovely sound at 3am in the morning!! Which means I am startled awake and wake up Chris to go look. He asks me what I heard, I tell him a thump from downstairs and as HE ROLLS OVER and goes BACK TO SLEEP he tell me, it's just the cats. Agh!

Daughter had class tonight and I got to meet her teacher, nice lady. She told me that our Daughter is "her Star student" and that "we are doing a fantastic job with her" and that "she wished more parents raised their kids like we do"!! I was in shock! OMG! Someone just complimented my homeschooling choice and parenting skills!! WOW!
While Daughter was in class Son and I went to the library. I have books!!!! I picked up the cutest book for Son, too. Romeow and Drooliet by Nina Laden. It takes the story of Romeo and Juliet from Shakespeare and is told with Cats and Dogs and was SO CUTE. (It also has a HEA!) I picked up An Accidental Goddess by Linnea Sinclair. The premise is good and I DO read Science Fiction every now and then. Before we even headed over to Daughters class, we make a quick stop at the library near our house. I picked up 3 books they'd had on hold for me. The Street Where She Lives by Jill Shalvis, Murder 101 by Maggie Barbieri, and I'd Kill for That a round-robin book that has many of todays most famous authors. Such as Rita Mae Brown, Lisa Gardner, Kay Hooper, Kathy Reichs, Julie Smith, Heather Graham, Jeenifer Crusie, Anne Perry, and Tina Wainscott. There are also a few new to me authors in the compilation such as Gayle Lynds, Marcia Talley, Linda Fairstein and Katherine Neville. I can't wait to see if the different authors make a good book, or if the difference in writing styles will be too challenging.
Have I mentioned that I have turned Son into a Muppet Fan? Hahaha! I miss that show! I grew up watching Kermit run away from Miss Piggy and the old men in the balconey and their hilarious comments! Son thinks "Thing" is funny and he also likes Beaker and how hard it is to understand him. And I enjoy that he is watching something a bit less violent than all the cartoons on these days.
Well, I'm off to make sure toys are put up, the last load of laundry is folded and the dishes that won't fit in the dishwasher are washed. Isn't my job fun? *g* Sleep well, the middle of the week is past and the end is near. Of the week!! Jeesh! Sweet dreams, maybe of all the things you've been too scared to try. Dreams are what make us the way we are, whether we're awake when we think of them or not! Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 3.5 miles, walking/jogging, speed varying 3.6-4.3, incline 6.

I know y'all can't see it, but Oreo is hugging a homemade sachet to her. It's not a catnip sachet. Nope, my cats are strange. It's a sachet that I made for Layla that contains a few coffee beans. I never thought the other cats would play with it, but I was WRONG! And yes, her tummy really is that white.
I'm sorry yesterday/todays post was short. I have been struggling with this stupid drainage lately and have let it depress me a bit. But, I've decided I'm not going to let it win. SOOOO....
I have a question for y'all. What is your favorite treat when you need a pick-me-up? For me it's cake. And not normal cake, but like birthday cake, which means I usually settle for a cupcake or a small square of cake from Strossners, my favorite bakery.
Want to know something freaky. Chris is having a blast doing our taxes. Seriously. He started them last night and had this look on his face like he was enjoying himself, so I asked him. And sure enough, he sees it as a challenge, like a puzzle he has to figure out. I KNEW I was married to a computer geek, this just proves it!

I posted a book I just finished, below. Angel with Attitude by Michelle Rowen. If you've read it, please feel free to let me know what you thought.

I'm off to bed. I hope y'all had a good day and that since tomorrow is wednesday, and the middle of the week, you have an easy day tomorrow. Sleep well, dream of places you've never been and places you wish to go. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 50 minutes of Yoga.

Angel with Attitude by Michelle Rowen is a fast ride from Heaven to Hell.
Valerie Grace has no idea what she's done to get kicked out of Heaven, but she desperatley wants to go back. While trying to find a way, she is followed by Nathanial, a Tempter Demon, sent from Hell to tempt her soul from her. Nathanial is a Bad Boy, sent from Hell but, underneath the Bad Boy facade are a few Good Guy qualities. With the help of Reggie the Rat, a man punished for his roving eye by his powerful witch girlfriend and from Nathanial, under a spell that places him under Valerie's control, Valerie must visit the Underworld to retrieve her only way back to Heaven, a key to the way home. Now she must discern is friend and who is foe as she fights to go home. But, will Valerie and Nathanial discover that love heals all? And will Valerie have to sacrifice her soul to have a happily ever after?

Michelle Rowen writes of Heaven and Hell as well as she does Vampires from her Bitten and Smitten book. An enjoyable read, and Reggie the Rat really seems to steal the "show".

Consider this a filler. I thought this was one of the funniest sights ever. Chris and his Dad trying to make the house on the front of the Lego container for our Son. Two grown men playing with Legos!!

I'll be back later with a better post. I forgot to post earlier and now can't sleep, but am going to try anyway. Benedryl with a decongestant has become my best friend right now! Oh, yeah, along with ibuprofen. So......
Goodnight, sleep well and sweet dreams, B.

I thought you might like to see for yourselves that Athena is okay. In this pic she is cuddled up next to Midnight. She ADORES Midnight. Almost obsessively. She does do the funniest thing though when he starts to eat, she will gently shove her way in front of him and push him to the side, to eat. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I have never seen another cat do this before.

Well, remember how I said that today would result in us scrambling to get ready this morning for church? We didn't go. It's my fault. I didn't feel well. I started coughing a bit last night and the drainage feels like a stupid river down my throat. I've been sneezing all day and have had a headache all day, though my favorite orange medicine has taken the blunt of it away. I think I have a head cold. Ugh! But, I do feel bad about missing this morning. Very bad.

Has anyone ever researched the availability of out of print books for a favorite author before? I have been looking for an out of print book by Jennifer Crusie and I have to tell you that as much as I love to read her books, I can't afford to spend anywhere from $25-80 for one of her out of print books. *sigh* And of course my library sucks when it comes to it's contents. HOWEVER, I did find a book that lists her as a contributing author, I'd Kill for That. Has anyone heard of this before? This, my library does have! And it's now on Hold for me! I just finished reading Angel With Attitude by Michelle Rowen and will tell y'all all about it (like you really want to know! ?*G*) tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope y'all had a good sunday, as you can see I'm having trouble sleeping. But, I hope y'all are not. I recommend lots of sleep *g* and dreams that incorporate your most tantalizing fantasies. Or, you can dream of lollipops and kittens. Just enjoy them!! Sweet dreams, Goodnight, B.

Excercise: HA! I don't feel well, no excercise today.

Intorducing "ROCKER VADER". Hahaha! Couldn't resist, sorry. My Son has the funniest sense of humor and thinks nothing of donning his Darth Vader helmet and mask and holding his light saber as an air guitar to jump around and pretend to play while listening to his Mom's music! Isn't he cute? And yes, I know I'm predjudiced! (I dont mond putting up this picture of my Son because his privacy is pretty protected!!) (Oh, and the hand gesture he's making? Yeah, he picked that up from Spiderman!)
I scrubbed the snot out of my MBathroom tonight. So much so that it looks like it did when we moved in. (Not that I don't clean well all the time, but it looks so empty right now.) I reorganized the counter and washed both shower curtains as well. I also scrubbed the floor, not unlike Cinderella, down on my hands and knees to get all the cat litter out of the corners. I am very proud of myself!! I also washed down all the doors in my bedroom as well, and wiped down the plantation blinds in our bedroom. Do you have any idea how dusty those stupid things get? Oh, and yes, the curse of laundry just keeps on going!

My MIL called yesterday, you're going to love this, to tell me that the clothes I cleaned out of the kids closet and that she took to the seller for me (her idea, not mine) sold. She is holding the money that was made hostage until we visit them at their house. I'm not kidding. She didn't say that in so many words, though. What she did say was that she has it, and that maybe we could come over and get it this weekend. Have I mentioned I hate going over there? Have I mentioned the kids get bored within half an hour over there? Have I mentioned that Chris turns into some kind of incommunicative zombie over there? And she wants us to voluntarily go over there? AGH!! And as much as I love them, their house has an odd smell. You know that smell that "older peoples" homes get? I know that sounds awful, but it's true.
I still didn't get to go and take back that sweater today. Hopefully tomorrow after church I'll get that chance. I'm not going to hold my breath though. It seems any time that Chris has time off, my schedule for doing things and getting things done is affected in a BAD way.

I told y'all I started this book the other day, I'm just now getting around to writing about it!
The Devil Served Tortellini by Shirley Jump tells the story of Maria Pagliona and her desperate attempt to lose weight so that she can "hook up" with her former Prom date Antonio at her 10 year High School reunion.
Maria joins a support group for weight loss, teemed the Chubby Chums. After her first meeting, which she sneaks out of telling herself she doesn't need a group for her to lose weight, she meets Dante del Rosso, owner of an Italian resteraunt located across from the Chubby Chums meeting. Dante has enough to do running his resteraunt (his father's dream), but can't help being drawn to Maria's womanly curves. He also can't understand why she wants to lose weight, he believes she's perfect the way she is. Maria takes one look at Dante and knows that he's not only a threat to her heart, but her waisteline as well! Dante is tempting and his cooking is just as alluring as he is. How is Maria going to keep her vow to lose weight with so much temptation in sight? Will Dante finally understand that his father's dream can be inproved upon and that Maria may be the one to help him see the future?
All in all, a highly tantalizing book that deals with the issue of weight, romance, and family. The author has included some FABULOUS recipes, as well.
I liked the book as it dealt with issues many women face today with weight and happiness. Dante and Maria make a fun couple, both fighting their attraction to each other. I can't wait to read Shirley Jumps new book, Pretty Bad due out in early February.

Y'all sleep well. I wish I could say I was going to get enough sleep tonight, but Saturday night is always notorious for us getting into bed late, dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning, and then feeling tired all day Sunday. But, I hope all of you have a good nights rest. I hope your dreams are full of spice and fun! Goodnight, B.

Excercise: none. I was so busy scrubbing everything in site tonight, by the time it occured to me to excercise I was tired! Tomorrow for sure though!!

My chair is never empty. Ever. The fur-babies have decided that if I ever get up, shoot, even when I'm sitting there, they decide it's theirs! If Chris is at work, I steal his chair, but when he is home sometimes I'm mean enough to make them get up. *g*

Today was another quiet day. Except Athena was taken in this morning this morning and then picked up late this afternoon. She's fine, but mad as heck and has to stay in her carrier overnight, a suggestion from the Vet. It sounded mean at first, but we're doing to keep her safe. It also seems we were right, she was in heat. Poor baby. But, she is no longer has to worry about that. The boys will have their turn next month. we're hoping the Vet can do them both on the same day because it would be safer that way.

Not much else to share with y'all today. Sorry. I did have another sinus headache today, woke up with the nasty thing actually. I can't take Benedryl during the day because I need to be alert with the kids and that stuff makes me sleepy. If I take it at night, kiss away waking me up before at least 6 hours has passed! So, I tok 4 ibuprofen istead and it worked to make me functional for the day. Other than that, I've done laundry, cleaned house, Chris shredded all our junk mail. ALL BORING. (Well, except for Son cracking me up with the Darth Vader Rocker with invisible guitar again! *g*)

Y'all have a good weekend. Take time for yourselves in the midst of all that you probably have to do. Sleep well, stay warm and dream of fantastic things and places. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: (Since I had no headache at the time.) Walking/jogging on the treadmill, 3.6-4.2 pace, 6 incline, 3.5 miles.

Another lovely picture of Layla's tummy. She's so funny and sweet and yet can go from being that way to "witch" in 2.3 seconds according to Chris. I will admit, she does have mood swings. But, tell me about a cat who doesn't!

Thank ALL of you for the Anniversary felicitations! Chris and I both think y'all were so nice to remember us when we know you all have so much going on in your own lives. So, THANK YOU!

The IN-laws visited today, but they are unaware of our special day so we said nothing. We spent today at home, with our kids, just...being a family. Tomorrow Athena goes to the Vet for her spaying and we are nervous and are folowing the Vets instructions of no food after 9pm and she has to be there at 7:30 in the morning. I voted Chris got the job to take her, and since my vote cancels his *g*, he has that job. Daughter will go with him to pick her up because Athena trusts her.

I haven't really read anything today. I've had a headache all day in varying intensities. I hate sinuses or whatever in the world this is. I hope you have a good evening and that you are ready for tomorrow. Try and sleep well and may your dreams be filled with your fondest wishes. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: None, I feel guilty about it, but my head would explode if I even tried! I'll have to make up for it the rest of the week.

This is my soul mate. (He makes my cabinets look short doesn't he?)I know that phrase is often misused or even overused, but it's true. I met him 16 years ago on the 16th of January. I was 16 years old (we've been together half my lofe!) and had prayed the day before with my Mom to find someone to love me. We didn't know the other would be where we met, one of those friend of a friend meetings at a friends home. He just happened to be there at the right time.

That night we watched Hellraiser the movie (although I spent more time sneaking glances at him than watching the movie) and had pizza. The first thing I noticed were his blue, blue eyes. The night after that everyone decided to meet up again and he and I somehow ended up in his friends fathers shop talking. He let me snoop through his wallet and before my girl friends and I left that night he asked me out. Our first date was on the 18th, the next night and a sunday. He was polite to my parents and I, already half way there, fell more in love with him. See, we both knew the first night that this was "it". And we have been together ever since.

We were married 2 years later to the day of our first date. And you know that I have to love the man, because he first proposed to me after sucking the helium from a balloon and turning towards me (we were in a car) and asked me "Brandy, will you marry me?" in a Mickey Mouse voice. He makes me laugh, he makes me cry, we've had disagreements, we've had children. He was there for me when I had to deal with my Mom's coma and death. He held both our children the minute they were born and offered to shave my legs when I was pregnant. (I'm not crazy, I never let the man near me with a razor!) When I had to have surgery when I was 4 months pregnant with our Daughter for an ovarian cyst, he stayed with me. And when they released me from the hospital I found when I got home that he had moved our bed into the LR so I could be near the kitchen and tv because I was supposed to stay in bed. When I had to have a C-section with my Son, he held my hand the whole time knowing how scared I was, and wiped my tears. I love this man more today that I ever thought possible. He is my best friend. And he must love me too, because he puts up with me!!

So, Happy Anniversary Chris. I love you.

That's my post. I just thought I'd tell y'all and him, how much I love the big goober. Have a good evening. Stay warm wherever you are. And stay safe. Sweet dreams, goodnight, B.

Excercise: 3.3 miles on the treadmill, varying 3.6-4.2mph, 6 incline, in 50 minutes. When not jogging I was reading The Devil Served Tortellini by Shirley Jump.

Patches is my shy quiet kitty. And actually she is my Daughters cat. She sleeps in Daughters room and usually will not be found further away from Daughter than 5 feet. Every now and then she likes to sleep atop my kitchen cabinets.

Today was one big boring blob with ironing and vacumming. But, since I've been really tired today that's okay. I'm not sleeping well and keep waking up and then taking forever to fall back asleep. I know why. I'm under stress. Part of it is because I can't let things just "be". My Mom called me 'the worrier'. And that's what this stress is, I'm worrying over something. Rest assuered it's not my kids or Chris. I promise. Chris has been getting on my nerves a bit lately, but that's just normal stuff, like when I ask him to do something a couple dozen times and he doesn't do it. That annoys, not worry's, me.

We have confirmed Athena's appointment to be spayed. She goes in friday morning and will come home that afternoon. (Part of my stress was getting the appointment,and part is her making it through the appointment.) I am going to make Chris take her. I just can't stand for them to think that I'm abandoning them, even if it's just for a day.

No books finished today. I have started The Matchmaker by Jamie Denton. It's a romantic suspense. So far, not seeing much romance. Lots of dead bodies though. If I finish it I'll let you know.

I'm off to bed, I'm really tired and hope to get some rest tonight. Y'all sleep well. And bundle up! Sweet dreams to you, B.

Excercise: None, been very sluggish today. If I can't sleep I may try some Yoga.

Layla and her not quite little pink belly. For some reason she's made it where her hair won't grow on it. But, we're not too worried about it, she's been doing it for years. She's my lap baby!

Today was a quiet day, except for having to fuss at the kids to keep from making a mess of the house. It was actually kind of nice. Y'all know I've been excercising lately and that I love the little iPod shuffle Chris gave me for Christmas, but I must be some kind of freak of nature. The ear buds don't want to sit in my ears well. I can get them to kind of sit in there a bit, but have to keep adjusting them so they don't fall out and that little piece of cartlidge hurts after I wear them for a while (like an hour)! Seems I have freakishly small ear canals. I already knew I couldn't use the headsets for cells phones and I can't use the Bluetooth ones either, they're too heavy and for some reason give me a headache. Oh, well.

I read British Bad Boys (an anthology) by Nancy Warren last night. I really enjoyed it. The stories connected well.

Maxine Larraby has come to England to film a series of documentaries on historic and titled families. George Hartley is the 19 Earl of Ponsford, having recently inherited not only the title but the struggle to keep his ancestral home running. As these two meet and fall in love, will the future hold them together or will duty tear them apart?

Author Meg Stanton has come to England to find her muse. And find him she does, for Meg has met Arthur, a local pub owner, who she decides to make the villian in her new book. But, is this author ready for a villian to be her hero and capture her heart forever?

Max's sister Rachel Larraby has come to visit her sister in England and scope out her sisters beau. Along the way the lovely Chef meets Jack Flynt and decides to embark on a no-strings affair with "Union Jack". Little does she know that Jack has decided to retire the flag and settle down, with Rachel!

All in all, a delightful read that will capture your heart as well as your imagination for old castles and flowing rivers along gorgeous rose gardens. Oh, and hidden passage ways!

Time for me to hit my pillow. I hope your Monday went well and that tuesday will be gentle to you all. Sleep well and may your dreams flow peacefully through your subconcious. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 3.25miles, 3.6-4.2 and 6 incline, for 50 minutes.

Another picture of Midnight in a bag. This cat is so sweet, he might as well be a teddy bear. The only thing that gets on my nerves, is that he has a tendency to climb over and then sit ON TOP OF Layla when she's in my lap! I guess that's what make me the 'kittymama'.

I couldn't sleep and suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to post sooooooo. Here I am! We spent the day doing much of nothing, until Chris announced that we needed a scanner to finish uploading Daughters schoolwork. Ours had died a horrible death a few months ago, so off we went to Best Buy. When we got there I noticed that the scanners were almost as expensive as the scanner/printer/copiers. Which led to me making one of those weird decisions. Yes, it was time to upgrade. Music to Chris' ears. Which is funny, because in the end I'm the one that picked the model we ended up buying. AND. The old printer (not that old, maybe a little over a year) is now up on eBay. AND we only ended up spending $60 more than the cheapest scanner in the store. This new printer is so cool. It does photos, scans, and accepts my memory card from the camera. It also is connected to all the computers in the house. I did good. Chris is ecstatic and we can use it to scan and email his paperwork for school, rather than having to take them to be faxed. (We don't have long distance. We use our cell phones for that.)

After that the hunt for cat food continued, finally ending at another WW near us. AND then we had to replace a pair of sweats for Daughter at Kohls. Which was a great deal. They were marked $14.40 on clearance, with 50% off and another 15% off of that at the register!! She got a very nice pair for $6.43. I love a good deal. And I swear as I noticed her walking today that she's grown another inch. I remarked as same to Chris, who told her that she needed to stop growing. To which she replied that we were welcome to let her drink all the coffee she wanted to stunt her growth. Smarty pants!! But we all laughed. Oh, and I have to tell you, you haven't seen anything near as funny as watching a 4 year old with a Darth Vader mask and light saber, pretend to play air guitar on the light saber. Hahaha! Son cracks me up!

I'm finally ready to sleep, I think. I hope y'all are getting enough rest for the start of the week. Sweet dreams and good luck for Monday, B.

Excercise: 45 minutes of Yoga. (I felt all loose/limber and actually taller afterwards!)(And yes, I know I didn't get any taller!)

Oreo and Midnight love to play ice hockey every single time I go to fill my cup with ice. I don't let them have the whole cubes, just pieces. (They evaporate easier because the cats punk them all over the kitchen and then I don't have to worry about trailing after them to wipe up the water). Yes, in this I am lazy. Midnight can jump almost 3 feet in the air to catch one and bat it away, more like a goalie in soccer than ice hockey, but it's so fun to play!

Not much to share with y'all today. We stayed in adn tried to get a few things accomplished around the house. I managed laundry, cooking, picking up the house (why do toys always gravitate to the middle of the LR floor?) and hassling Chris to help me out. I was so busy I was unable to read until right before I started this post!! Tomorrow we have Church in the morning, and then I will have the fun of bugging Chris (yet again) to please for the love of God, get the christmas lights off my garage floor! Oh, and the happy-happy, fun-fun, chore of ironing. Oh, and my Anniverary is thursday. Cris has taken the day off so we can spend the day together, as a family. We can't ask for a babysitter because we're the only ones that know it's our REAL anniversary. But, for all those dingies who thought we were too young to get married, "HA!" on you. 14 years this week and going strong! I may be nice and not attempt to shove him out of bed this week when he snores! *G* I'm kidding. Mostly.

Anyway, y'all have a good night. Get some rest and enjoy the weekend, because it will end all too soon. Sweet dreams, B.

Excercise: none, I took the day to spend with the family. Tomorrow will be another story! (Nt about the family, about taking time for myself.)

Layla took my spot!! This cat is a bed hog. AND a small heater. She likes to sleep next to me and as for the bed hog part....she WILL. NOT. MOVE. But, she's my sweetie and I don't mind. Much.

Today was a bit busy. I had to pick up my books from the library. All 3 came in between yesterday and today, so I guess it was a good idea for me to wait until today to pick up the one book. I picked up: Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich, The Matchmaker by Jamie Denton, and British Bad Boys by Nancy Warren. (I've already had a chance to read Plum Lovin' while on the treadmill tonight.) I took Daughter to get her hair cut today and then looked for a new pair of sweats for me, since I have worn mine so much I'm shredding them around the ankel and wasteband. But, Marshalls had nothing. I'd like to find another pair of Yoga pants instead, but I'm looking for a bargain and it's hard to find those in my size for a bargain. We picked up cat litter from PetsMart and I WOULD have gotten cat food there too, but they were out. How weird is it that a pet store is out of my brand of cat food? I called Chris since we were over near wher he works and we decided to have dinner out (we do this about 2x a month), the kids got to pick so we had Pizza (buffet). After that, we dropped Chris back off at work and headed for WW to grocery shop. I did buy for the first time in a LONG time, some lotion for my face because the heat in the house is drying my skin out so bad that the skin feels like it's burning by the time I get out of the shower. Luckily I found something that hopefully won't make me have an allergic reaction (Oil of Olay, sensitive skin: no perfume, fragrance or oil)(Anyone besides me see the humor in that?) See, this is the pain about being allergic to lanolin and shea butter. Do you have any idea how many products there are out there that contain either one of those, or even a derivitive? TOO many!

Dru, you did not tell me how hilarious Plum Lovin' was. I almost fell off the treadmill tonight reading it!! I laughed so hard at one point I had to stop the treadmill for a second.

Stephanie Plum did not expect to see Diesal again, but with her luck she's not surprised. She's out to track Annie Hart, a self described Realtionship Expert, wanted for armed robbery and bonded by Stepanie's cousin Vinnie. The problem is, she can't find Annie.

Diesal has a proposition for Stephanie, if she'll help him find a guy, he'll give her Annie. Oh, and then there's the small matter of matching Annie's latest clients before Valentine's Day. No easy task for a girl who can't even make a commitment!

As Diesal and Stephanie play matchmaker while hunting for an 'unmentionalable' named Beamer, Stephanie discovers she's not so bad at the whole "Relationship Expert" thing, as long as it's for other people!

All in all, this was a cute, hilarious, book that is heart warming as much as it is fun to read. Stephanie is a lot better Matchmaker than she is Bounty Hunter! I got this copy from the library, but may have to buy one for myself to keep.

I'm calling it a night. Y'all enjoy the fact that it's now the weekend. Time seems to go faster during them for me, so I hope that your's don't do that as well. Sleep well, cuddle with a pet, a loved one, or even a teddy bear! But, enjoy the peace that sleep eventually brings with it. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 4 miles on treadmill, walking at 3.6 pace, no jogging. (I didn't even realize I had walked so far until I finished the book, Plum Lovin'.) *G*

I don't understand cats' fascination with plastic bags. But, rest assured Midnight was carefully watched t make sure he didn't harm himself. Layla tries to chew them as well as sleep in them. Midnight just likes to lay in them for a while.

I didn't get much done today. Cleaned up around this madhouse. Laundry, again, and vacummed.

We are in a bit of a pickle. Butterscotch and Fireball have been sniffing around Athena, so we've had to keep either them or her locked up and away from each other. She's not in heat. We know that. We just though we had a little more time before we had to have her spayed and the boys neutered. (We have always planned this all along.) I am a HUGE proponent(sp) of Spay/Neuter so we knew it would be an eventual task. We also weren't sure of Athena's age. As best we can calculate, she's 5 months old. But, she's still small for her age and is showing no signs of being in heat. Yeah, I know I already said that. I'm trying to get her an appoinment as soon as possible. Animal Allies in our area is our best bet. They are a local organization that conduct a S/N clinic. So, cross your fingers for us!!

I got a call todady from the library. I requested Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich ("a between the numbers book")from them yesterday, thinking that since I was 3rd on the list that it would be a while until it came in. Well, I was wrong. They called me late this afternoon and I couldn't get it today, but I will definitley get there as soon as I can tomorrow! I finished My Big Fat, Supernatural Wedding last night and I liked a few of the stories, but all in all it was an even call. S, I'm not going to review it, because even though I liked a few, I don't want to rate the ones I didn't. I am an honest person. Probably one of the most honest you'd ever meet. But, I also hate the idea that anything I said hurt anyone. And that's all I'm going to say about it.

I'm going to vegitate in front of the tv and try to relax before sleep.(I could NOT slepp last night. Y'all have a godnights rest, enjoy the thought of tomorrow being friday. Enjoy your dreams, let them take you on an adventure; someplace you've always imagined. Sweet dreams, B.

Excercise: None, I was too tired tonight.

Proof that I am really excercising. I'm not sure that I'll leave the picture up though. This is only one of 3 that I've actually let be taken of me in the past year. I detest mirrors and cameras. It's not because I'm heavy either. It's just....I hate it.

I finished yesterdays book and will post a review later. Right now I'm reading My Big Fat, Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod with shorts by Chalaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Rachel Caine and others. So far I like Rachel Caines short the best. It's kind of a 'love heals all' story.

Today was as busy as always. Daughter had RE class and while she was there Son and I went to BAMM where I was able to browse for a moment and then Son played with the trains. Before we left I bought Son and Daughter a drink and since he was complaining he was suddenly starving, a quick zip through McDonalds for a french fry snack for the both of them. I was good and only had 2 fries. And can I just say I think McDonalds makes the best french fry's ever?! After picking up Daughter we headed home and just as I was pulling into the driveway Chris calls. He has a sinus headache and is headed home. Okay. Whatever. I hate he feels unwell, but what can I do? I started dinner and he took some benedryl. Which must have worked instantly because he had a bowl of stir fry (quickly becoming my favorite to make as it's pretty quick and easy to make). It's funny though. A dose of Benedryl has now knocked him out. He's snoring. (Which means I get to whack him with my pillow in a minute! *g*)

That's about it. I feel like I didn't sit down much today. And yes, laundry was also on the agenda. I hope y'all had a good day. I also hope that tonight you are able to sleep well, snuggle down, and dream wonderful dreams full of light and joy. Goodnight, B.

Excercise: 3.3 miles on treadmill, speeds varying from 3.6-4-3, incline of 6. (oh, and 52 minutes total.)

Sorry about the quality of the photo, Chris took it with his test phone last week. And the cabinet is open because the dishwasher was being emptied. (Excuse the mess, I seem to be the only one who can put anything away.) All of this leads up to Fireball being a very bad boy and getting up on the counter to peek in the cabinet. If curiousity really did kill the cat, this one would be missing 8 of his 9 lives. Curious yes, smart, NO.

I didn't have laundry today!! It doesn't happen often, and when it does I rejoice!! Can't you tell I'm boogeying around my LR? *G* Tomorrow, *sigh* is another story. I excercised, cleaned the dowstairs bathroom (eewwwww) and made peanut butter cookies tonight. I sure know how to have fun, don't I? I know I just made peanut butter cookies, but they don't last long and my recipe doesn't make over 3 dozen. Oh, and I forgot to tell that I had to constantly fuss at Daughter to sit down and finish her schoolwork this afternoon. She just kept bouncing around today, not leading to the productive day I envisioned. Which she'll regret when she has work on Saturday to make up wasting the day. See, I'm mean that way. She doesn't automatically get weekends off. If she isn't where she's supposed to be on friday, she has to work on the weekend as well. Like I said, mean mommy. HA!
Have y'all heard about the NYTimes article talking about BMI reports being sent home to parents from school districts? I don't like the idea of this to be honest. The article mentions that a 6 year old misunderstood the report and now hardly eats because she thinks she did something wrong. It also talks of another grade schooler who weighs herself everyday, eats like a bird and is constantly telling others in her family that she's 68lbs. As a Mother who is healthy, overweight and by BMI standards fat(but I excercise regulary and eat healthy)(Yes, I really do. I buy low-fat food and fruit and veggies and lean meat for us), this makes me sick. I realize they wants kids to be healthy but this is the wrong way to do it. AND the biggest joke of the whole article? There were no MALES mentioned or interviewed. Just females. Our society is way to obsessed with weight instead of the health of our kids. UGH! I know my comments aren't very cohesive or even coherent, but this article really upset me.
In other news around my house, this evening I am reading Missing You (the end of the 1-800 Where are You series) by Meg Cabot. I have been waiting for this book for years. It's a YA book, but the books appeal to me for some reason. Actually most of Meg Cabots books appeal to me. Except for the Princess Diaries books. I really enjoyed Avalon High when it came out over a year ago, too.
That's about all from me. I have warned y'all on several occasions that I am just plain boring, but yet, you're still read. I'm actually very appreciative that y'all stick with me.
Have a good evening. Try and get some rest for the 'ol "hump day". (That nickname seems wrong somehow.) I've a small headache, so I'm off to bed. Sleep well, sweet dreams, B.

p.s. I'm going to be posting my workouts on here from now on. I need a motivator to not slack off and am hoping this is it.
Excercise: Treamill, 3.2 miles,walking/jogging. Variable speeds of 3.6 to 4.3 at a height of 6.

Layla sitting on my lap and not happy to have Daughter interrupt her petting! Out of all the cats we have, her face is the most expressive. Not because she is my favorite, but because she has facial expressions!!This is her "I'm getting angry" look.
From now on I'm just going to refer to my husband by his name- Chris. (It's easier and a bit more personal that referring to him as Dh.) Chris took the day off to get some paperwork done at home and to deal with a few issues with the college he's taking his classes for his Master's from. We had to apply for a student loan to help with the costs, because I have to tell you $1900 a class is ALOT of money. He also had to let them know that because of who he works for, he is entitled to a 4% discount for his classes. Then he had to call Daughters RE director.(I don't do well on the phone, it's a strange fear of rejection thing.) She wanted to talk to us about Daughter. Turns out, Daughters knowledge for the classes is actually superior to most the others in her class and she'll be Baptized and receive her 1st Communion at Easter. We are so excited and happy for her. Not to mention proud that she has impressed this Director.
Aside from more laundry (When? When will it end?) I took the day to upload and then transfer Daughters grades from her Homeschooling to the private school we recieve her curriculum from. She's doing well. But, she is a week behind in Math. She detests it and drags her feet on it. As she is also writing another paper this week, I'll let it slide for now, but next week she's going to have to catch up.
Son has been on the computer all day. He loves the Lego game they got for Christmas. he even suckered his Dad into playing for a bit this afternoon.
I've started The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair. It's a cute book so far, but doesn't seem to have the emotional punch the 3rd book does. I'll let you know when I finish it.

And that is all I have to tell y'all about. It's cooled down here, so I think it probably has where y'all are too. Keep warm, enjoy the evening and rest up from the first day of the week. I hope y'all sleep well and dream joyfully. Goodnight, B.

I posted this picture of Fireball because every time I see it the theme song from Saturday Night Fever, 'Stayin' Alive', pops into my head. The sad part is, I've never really seen the movie, just bits and pieces of it. I don't even know what year it came out. (Okay, just googled it and I was 3 when it came out. ) But, I thought it looked like he was dancing so, here it is.

Today seemed to come too fast. Son didn't want to settle down last night and talked and talked and talked until very late. So when the alarm went off this morning I didn't want to get up. But, we made it and then yes! home. It has been so gray and dreary all day. A perfect day to relax, get a bit of laundry done (does it EVER end?), and ironing. Yay, fun me. But, we've also been watching the 1st Season of Bones all day as well. Hubby hasn't been able to watch the show until now because he's been working on the nights it comes on(actually he works all nights M-F). He's really enjoying it and I have to say the quips between "Bones" and Booth are hilarious. I can't wait until Season 2 is out on DVD! And, sorry to say, that's been my day. I can tell you that I use a scoop to fill the cats food bowls and (I store it in a potatoe bin, well I designed it and Hubby built it to look like an old potatoe bin) I keep a bowl of food for the cats in the MB and the kitchen. ANYWAY, (I'm bad at this) I took the scoop upstaris to fill the food, left it in the bowl standing up while I was doing something else, and Son came upstairs took the scoop (now empty) out of the bowl and said that he's fed the cats. And thus ensued an argument with a 4 year old (which is an excercise in futility) about who really fed the cats. He still thinks he did. *sigh* When do kids enter reality? I can laugh about it now, but at the time I just wanted to bang my head against the wall. (He's so cute though.)

And....that's it. I have nothing else. Sorry!! Y'all have a good evening. I hope you're dry. (We're under a tornado warning thanks to all the thunderstorms, but I still love the storms!) I hope wherever you are, you're safe, dry, comfortable and if not happy, at least relaxed. Sleep well, for tomorrow will be here soon enough. Goodnight, B.

Not the prettiest picture I've ever posted of the kitties. But, I thought you might like to see their reaction to the treadmill after I got off of it the other night. No, smarty pants, it's not disbelief. At least not disbeleif that I was on there! I turned it on 1mph, the lowest setting it has and let them see that, yes, mommy is actually walking in one spot. Athena actually walked on it, while it was moving, for a minute. And I was watching them very closely. I would never let my fur-babies get hurt.

I made it to the UBS today, but still no sign of that Marianne Stillings book I'm looking for. (I'll check eBay tomoorw.) But, they did have The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair. This is the first Witch book she wrote and started off the whole series. I hadn't read it, but had read the second and just read the third. I was also able to visit the library today and picked up My Big, Fat, Supernatural Wedding a collection of short stories edited by P.L. Enrod (stories by Charlaine Harris, L.A. Banks, Susan Kinard, etc.) After that a fun, fun trip to Wally-World for a few depletd groceries and then home. I was a very bad Mom today. I made Daughter clean the commodes. *Insert evil laugh here* Afterwardds she stood up and said "OW", and made a 'my back hurts gesture'. I told her that maybe now she'd appreciate some if the things I do around here.

Y'all, please go and visit Bailey (Eve), her most favorite Uncle passed away, and she needs some kind words and support from friends.

I'm off to bed. Y'all have a good evening. I hope your Saturday was relaxing and that your night just the same. I wish restful sleep, light dreams, and peace to you, and for you. Goodnight, B.

Patches is a shy sweetheart. She is very quiet, and keeps to herself, mostly. Except for Daughter, she adores Daughter and follows her all over the place. She sleeps on Daughters bed at night and her favorite place to lay during the day (if it's sunny) is on top my cabinets in the kitchen.

The In-Laws visited today and spent a couple of hours talking with me and watching the kids play. It was a quiet visit and one that didn't nettle my nerves too much.

Sorry to say, that was the highlight of my day. I made cookies. Nothing much else happened. I did build a Lego house for Son, not very exciting to me (more like frustrating), but he loved it! *g* I'm just not that good with boys toys. Like Legos, or Lincoln Logs. Have I told you he has one of those playskool tables with 2 chairs that he keeps all his Darth Vader things on? Daughter calls it his Vader Shrine. He has a watch, voice changer, alarm clock, light saber, mask, pez dispenser, and halloween candy bucket in the shape of Vaders head all sitting on the little table in his room. He's so funny. He has a few Vader figurines as well. I've never seen a child so obsessed with a fictional character at his age. (He will be 5yrs. old in March.) I'm not very eager for him to grow up.

I am very tired tonight, I didn't sleep well last night. So tonight, I wish a quiet saturday for you. Time to relax and do something you enjoy. May your sleep be filled with golden days and gentle ways. B.

The Scot, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by Annette Blair is PACKED with emotions. Ranging from sadness, to joy, anger and disbelief. Victoria Cartwright, in Salem MA., finally decided to see what exactly her inheritance was by opening a Wardrobe passed down to the daughters of her great-grandmothers family. Only the daughter with powers of the Witch Lili will be able to open the door with a key passed down from generation to generation. In over 100 years, no one has been able to unlock the Wardrobes mystery. With a turn of the key, Vickie unlocks her destiny. Inside is a perfect Carousel Unicorn.
When hermit Rory Mackenzie in Scotland watches a televised Antique show from the states, he is startled and pleased to see the Unicorn, for it has been missing from his ancestoral Carousel for 100 years. The loss of the Unicorn reviled the MacKenzie name and now Rory finally has a clue to it's past. He decides to travel to the states, to find Vickie and buy the Unicorn. However upon meeting Vickie he is unable to give voice to his offer, for he is smitten by the 'witchy' woman.
Now Vickie must accept her gift before she loses her chance at happiness and Rory must forget the past and look towards the future before the 2 of them are lost and alone forever. As they look to solve the mystery of the Unicorns appearance in Salem, will the 2 reluctant lovers stay together or fulfill the imagined curse following the Unicorn and find their destiny in each others arms. Yes, not to be a spoiler, there is a HEA!
I have to tell you, this books ending brought tears to my eyes. But, in a good way. I'm not in any way trying to spoil this book for you, but I have to tell you-it's going on my keeper shelf!

Tonights post will follow later! B.

Butterscotch is snoozing away, in my chair. You can barely see Fireball behind him. Butterscotch is the strangest cat we have right now. Or maybe it's that all cats are strange? Because I have to say it's really weird to have your head rammed when you start to move around in the morning, when you are trying to wake up. Yeah, he does that. And can I just say? OW!

Today was another day in the life of me. Boring. I did excercise today though. On the torture machine. Kidding, seriously, I like the treadmill. It means no matter how cold or how hot it get's outside, I can walk or run. It't the working back up to running that is going to be the death of me. I told Daughter tonight "don't grow boobs". She just looked at me and laughed, then asked why not. I told her "'cause they bounce, ouch!" (Not that I have alot to bounce, but you get the idea.) Oh, and I did tell her (sorry Mom) that it's a good thing her Nana never took up jogging, because she'd have knocked herself out! Well, I thought it was funny. And I can tell you my Mom would have gotten a tickle out of it as well. And as far as I know, the woman never excercised a day in her life. ;)

I am reading again. Right now I am very close to finishing The Scot, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair. AND, imagine my delight to discover an excerpt in the back of the book for another book in the Witch series!! I can't even tell you about it, until I tell you about her book that I'm currently reading, since it contains a character introduced in this one!! I'm sure either early tomorrow, or tomorrow night, I'll put my review up. (Oooh, bet you can wait for that!! *G*)

ANYWAY, I hope that your day was not stressful. I hope that your Friday is fast (as in to get to the weekend). I hope that your sleep tonight is filled with Angel kisses and feelings of joy. Goodnight, B.

Can you believe this? Layla is covered in fur! And it's not hers!! Hahaha! She was fine with them piling on her for a bit, but then she got annoyed and got up, therefore surrendering the chair to the boys. Maybe that was their plan all along.

Daughter had RE class tonight and we were given good news about her from the Director of the program. Did I tell y'all I got about the note I received from her RE teacher a week or 2 before Christmas? Her teacher told me how smart she was in class and that we were doing a good job with her Homeschooling. I was so proud of Daughter and felt a bit victorious about the compliment on her Homeschooling. (Hey, I'm allowed. Neither of my husbands parents nor my father have ever told us that we were doing a good thing by Homeschooling our kids.
While Daughter was in class Son and I went off to BAMM where I spent the 3 dollars left on my giftcard, on drinks for the kids (we took Daughter hers after class). Right before heading toward the Church to pick up Daughter we stopped at McDonalds and I picked up 2 of the Dollar fries for the kids for a snack on the way home. I got one. One measly french fry. *sigh* They gobbled up the rest. And before you start thinking I was virtuous because I am dieting. Think again. We had frozen pizza for dinner (wednesday is hectic, no cooking and to be honest no excercising (too tired)). Which I will pay for later. I'm having a problem with acid reflux and have been popping Tums like my Son does Tic Tacs. However, MIL gave me an OTC pill the other day and it seems to work as well as the 8-10 Tums I have been scarfing down at all hours of the day and night. And yes, I know I need to see the Doctor about this. I just hate that darn scale and am hoping that being in better shape will make the visit less miserable. (That way when they say I am overweight for my height, I can tell them that I excercise regulary, though.) And the fact that I now get acid from Chocolate is NOT GOOD. Not good at all!!

Sorry to ramble on about the boring-ness (it COULD be a word) of my day. I hope wherever you are you are comfotable, warm and peaceful. Sleep well, the week is slowly ending and soon the weekend will be here. So, goodnight, B.

This is the always-in-trouble Fireball. And seriously. I mean. Always. In. Trouble. He's the main troublemaker when it comes to shredded tp, causing us to constantly come up with different locations to keep it, not a small feet to do condidering the size of a bathroom. He also has been caught in the sink in the kitchen (where the kids leave their dirty dishes) trying to lick the plates. I may, um, have used the sprayer on him. And he may, um, have slipped on the water that ended up getting on the floor. And Yes, I laughed! (Although, I did clean up the water.)

Today was boring here. Sorry, but it was. I mopped the floors (after sweeping them), did laundry, kept after Daughter for her schoolwork, and was sore the whole time. I finally got back on the treadmill last night and alternated running and walking and I have to say "WAS I INSANE"???? Because today? Yeah, sore as heck. Hopefully the Yoga I do before bed will help. And yes, I know excercising when you get up is what most prefer. Please. I can't even THINK of excercising for the first few hours after waking. I don't have enough caffiene in my system for that! I do the treadmill after lunchtime/early evening(alternating days), and yoga at night. (At least that's the plan.) Sometimes early evening. I'm weird that way.

Did I tell y'all I had my husband trim my hair for me? I know I need to make it to a salon one of these days, it's just easier to get him to do it before bed. He only cut 2 inches off, when it was wet,but it looks like he cut 5 inches off when it's dry. And yes, I watched how long the hair he trimmed was, he didn't cut more than 2 inches. My hair just curls up like a spring. Hence the french braid most days.

Told you it was a boring day! Y'all have a good evening. I'm off to bed. I hope you sleep well, dream big, and most of all take care of yourselves. May your wednesday be full of nice surprises, B.

Oreo has the strangest habit. If she sits still long enough she start to rock , very gently (almost unnoticable) back adn forth. She followed me around a bit this afternoon, trying to get some attention. Matter of fact whenever I sit down I am immediately converged upon by Oreo,Layla and Buttersotch. Yesterday Midnight sat on Laylas head to get some attention (while she was on my lap). Their antics make me smile everyday.

Did anyone see the Rose Parade today? I had to sit throught it (unless it's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, I really don't watch them) so that Son could see the tribute to Star Wars and George Lucas. As soon as I told him I could see the Ewok's he was 5 inches in front of the tv. *g* The things you do for your kids! AS soon as he saw Dath Vader he started bouncing on his feet saying, "look mommy, look, it's Darth Vader!" I swear Darth Vader is his hero, or rather anti-hero, or whatever you want to call him. Whenver I tell him that he was a bad man, Son tell me he knows, but that he saved Luke so that made him good. I hug him everytime he says it.

I started back on the treadmill today, I confess I hadn't been on it in almost a month. It's harder to take the time to do it, than my Yoga, which I can stop and then go back to. But, I decided to try and get back to jogging and so...... oh, and also I'm hoping to get Dh intersted in excercising more. He's gained almost 60lbs. since leaving the Military over 3 years ago. I just want him to be healthy.

Our Anniversary is this month, on the 18th. We'll have been together 16 years and married 14. All for a man who proposed the first time after sucking up some helium from a balloon. He's always known how to make me laugh, or blush, and he calls me beautiful (even though I know I'm not). I'll be happy to be married for the rest of our lives, unless I smother him when he snores! *G*

As for the new year, my wish list for books is sort of short, because it's only for the first few months. I can't wait for:

1. White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz (Jan.)

2. Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich (Jan.)

3. Bite Me if You Can by Lynsay Sands (Jan.-end of)

4. Sweet Home Carolina by Patricia Rice (Jan.)

5. The Marcelli Princess by Susan Mallery (Feb.)

6. Doing it Right by MaryJanice Davidson (Feb.)

7. Arousing Suspicions by Marianne Stillings (Feb.)

8. Night Life by Elizabeth Guest (April)

9. Last of the Red Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister (April)

10. Smart and Sexy by Jill Shalvis (April)

11. (a bit far in advance, but couldn't leave it off) Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper (July)

I'm sure I'm leaving off some that I will really like, but this is just an advance list.

Have a good night. Sleep well and just think, the week has already started, so it's toward the weekend we go. I hope you dream of things that delight and amuse you. Goodnight, B.