Wow That was Bad

So I took the Ambien on Tuesday night right before bed. I wish I had Janey's advice ealier, becuase not only did it take a while to kick in...when I woke up the next monrning, I felt like I had a hangover. Factor in Kaity was screeching mercilessly about something or ther, and Vi-Olay: One Migraine for Cissa.

Mimi was kind and took the girls for me so I could sleep off the migraine and the medicine. After waking from my nap, I did feel better. As it was payday, I got ready to go out with the girls when Emily returned from Justin's....

Gotta go to the bank today and get some answers about stuff. Then to lab to do bloodwork. Then grocery shopping. Oh yes, somewhere in there, I have to drop off Emily at school and pick her up. haha

Tonight I am going to Bingo with Mimi, Michelle and possibly Jen (not you Jeopardygirl, lol). I probably won't take the pill again until Friday....if I don't go to RI to try on my bridesmaid dress for Nessa.

Nessa, call Me! I need to know the deal with this weekend...Yea or Nay?

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

Had the doctor's appointment today. A bit of a mixup initially, but it all evened itself out. Apprently the people who schedule the appoinments think "I need a complete physical" means "I want a pap smear, please."

So after the intention for me waiting 2 weeks for an appointment was cleared up in vitals, I get to see the doc. He was a nice guy. If he had black hair, I'd think he was Hawkeye Pierce's Son, or maybe his nephew....Great bedside manner, good looks, and hey, he wasn't afraid to talk to me about my concerns.

After taking a quick looksie on my online record about my sleep problems, he noted I had been given a sleep medication in September. I must have looked like a deer and headlights. I laughed. I honestly don't recall that. I rememebr goign in for allergies in the fall...but don't recall gettign sleep meds. Odd. I told him maybe I took them once or twice and didn't like the way they made me feel the next morning. That's probable, Doc says. Then he said the ones I had did tend to make you "space out" for the first week. With 2 kids, we all know I don't have that option.

After some more questions, he decided I do need some labs done. Especially with my history of insomnia, anemia and mental health issues, he thought is was a good idea I was finally coming to see him. I've got a 30 prescribtion of Ambien. I am eagerly awaiting bedtime. I may actually get to sleep, and wake feeling rested. If I still feel fatigued all the time, after a month, the doc wants me to do a sleep study, to make sure I don't have any issues, like apnea or whatever, which is causing the fatigue. He asked if anyone in the family has chronic fatigue syndrome. I told him I didn't know, but I wouldn't doubt it. But we're an "old New England" family. We whisper about our health problems and only talk about them in full volume after the person has died.

Oh yes, and I can't eat for a 10-12 hour stint then have to go give a gallon of blood. Yippee. But maybe the tests will show something. I almost want something to be wrong with me. Then I can get on the road to feeling better....That'd be a nice change for once.

One thing I have to rant about: The effing clinic in Florida STILL has not sent my and Emily's medical records to Connecticut. WTF??? The request from Groton was sent back in MAY!! I saw it with my own eyes that it was. Do the math, that's almost 8 months ago. I have 7 years worth of health issues in there, including my first daughter's autopsy, and my psycho files. I will go down there and raise some major hell if the second request that's sent produces no medical files. I AM PISSED.

I'll update you all tomorrow. I know you'll be waitign with baited breath to see how I fared. haha. Until tomorrow...zzzzzzz

The Man who Understands Children

Maybe because, he never grew up....an amazing story I got from Dale at "Just Takes a Minute"...link to his site on the left....

The Great Zucchini

Flashback Friday - Pets

The theme for FF this week is Pet Memories. For some reason I can't get the FF image to come up...I think blogger is screwing up again....but I am contributing...

Well dear readers, I have had so many pets, it's very difficult to pin point a certain one memory that really sticks out that isn't about their demise. So instead I am going to tell about the most happy thing I can recall about pets in a while: How My Cat Got His Name...

Back in 2003, August 2003 to be specific, I was about..oh....36 weeks pregnant. I was due at the end of September, and I was feeling HUGE. Well I was pretty big, to be honest. Hubby comes home from work one day, and seeing as my birthday was in a couple weeks announces he knows what to get me for my birthday.

"I know you've been feeling down without a pet (we had given up a cat about 7 months prior - long story) so I thought I'd get you a kitten."

I was overjoyed. I immediately went ot the internet and got the local paper classifieds, and started making calls. I found a man who was giving away kittens. All I had to do was show up. So, Me, Hubby and Emily, who was about 2 1/2 at this point, and talking like a professional I might add, got in the car, drove the 12 miles to the guys house and looked at kittens. I picked out of the 2 left. A tiger and a black with white patches. He has white feet and most of his back legs were also white. A little puff of white on his nose. He was perfect. We took him.

He was a strange little thing. I held him and he mewed and cried. We put him in Emily's arms and he was almost instantly quiet. Hrm. So. I let him sleep on her lap for the car ride home. She was in heaven, petting him, scratching him behind the ears, and telling me how we had picked the best cat ever. Finally I started to think about names. I suggested Boots, Mittens, and some others that had to do with his physical appearance. No one else seemed too thrilled with my suggestions. So I turned to Emily and asked her.

"What should we name him, Emmy?"

"Um, I think Buddy is a good name. How about Buddy, Mommy?" I looked at my sweet little girl holding "my cat" and knew it was futile. He was mine, but really, he was Emily's. I looked at Hubby and he glanced from the road at me with a smile.

"Buddy it is!" I said and Emily grinned. Hubby, Emily, Buddy and I drove home the rest of the way, in relative silence.

Attack of the Sickies

It was bound to happen.

Just like death and taxes, one thing I can always count on to happen in my life is everyone in my house getting sick except me. It's happened before, and I've blogged about it. But this time, it's just...worse....

Yesterday the majority of my day was spent being attached to a 2 year old with a terrible cough. Most of the time she was sleeping and had the liquidy cough that can only indicate a chest cold. Hubby was hording the tissues for his faucet of a nose, and even Emily, when she was home and not out at a friend's, was coughing and sniffling a bit. Luckily Emily was able to be OK after some medicine. I cannot say the same for Hubby and Kaity though.

Now today Emily has stated very clearly, that she doesn't feel well, and she had a sore throat. I may keep her home from school. Sh'es till in bed and hasn't even ventured down for some juice. Clearly this is not going to be a fun day.

I am just waiting for the other show to drop, and for me to start gettign all of everyone else's symptoms....

Cute Kids

I took this video last night on my digital Camera. Pretty good quality for a little digital camera, I think.....My favorite part is Emily telling me she can't handle the song that comes on....

On Pins and Needles

Today is January 20th. We are just past the middle of the month, but it's a point in time in the next 11-14 days that has me a nervous wreck. I have been freaking out internally for about...oh a week now, about this, and after a converstation with Hubby last night, I finally feel comfortable to talk to all of you about it.

The end of January, or very beginning of February, is the Physical Readiness Test, or PRT. The Navy has specific amounts of push-up, sit-up and a times run that all sailors must pass in order to further thier time in the Navy. If you fail any part of the PRT, not only do you NOT get to test for Promotion if you are up for it, you also get a strike. Three strikes, and you get discharged.

This is Hubby's last chance. I am freaking out.

For all the complaining I do about the Navy, and the life we live because of it, Most of my adult life I have been an Navy Wife. 7 years, 3 months and 8 days so far. The Navy has provided Us with shelter, pay, medical, just about everything. To think that we would be suddenly thrust upon the civilian world is a big scare to my system. For Hubby too, because for 11 years, most of HIS adult life, it's been his sole source of income, and the only job he knows how to do. All the knows is the rules, regualtions, etc. of the Navy. We simply don't know any other way.

One of my big concerns is: Where the HELL do we go? We don't own any land, or a house. We've rented or lived in Navy Housing the whole time. We'd have to go where the jobs are. It's a scary though to have a family of 4 suddenly not know what to do with their lives. The thing that I worry about most is where my childre will get a decent education.

It's also a sort of exhilerating concept. The thought of not having the Navy breathing down your neck.....the freedom to live where we want, possibly buy a house and get to PAINT WALLS??? I get giddy thinking about it....but then I realize I am not used to it, and change freaks me out.

Since this concept of possibly getting kicked from the Navy has been upon us, Hubby and I have searched Headhunter sites, and done looking around the area for jobs that He could do. But to be honest, though my family is all here, We really hate New England. It's just too damn cold. the weather is insane -- the last 3 days can be a testament to THAT. And not to mention, everything is EXPENSIVE AS FUCK up here. From gas to cereal, I am freakin' floored at the prices of stuff. Not knowing what kind of income we will have makes looking here worse and worse. Especially if he gets a civilian job with crappy benefits. Health insurance is insane up here.

Well, Hubby has gotten word of an opportunity if He does get the Boot. And it looks like he could make MORE than what he would in the Navy, including figuring benefits prices. The best part? We could live anywhere we wanted, and the company would bring him to and from home where the job is for the 2-3-4 weeks on/off schedule he chooses. After a long talk about this, I decided that this would not be bad at all. I could live with the shift differential -- its not much different than a Navy lifestyle, and also woud be great money. And then kicker of living wherever we want.....So....

Even though Hubby is going to try his best NOT to fail the PRT, if he does, well....I may be writing to you all from Sunny Florida, or even Dusty Texas in a few months.....I'll let you all know as soon as I do. In the mean time, keep your fingers crossed.

Rent, the Second Time Around

Well, yesterday, My neighbor Jess, and I went to watch Rent at the base movie theatre. For $3 we couldn't turn it down. I fell in love with this film, the music, the characters, except Benny of course..., and ya know, I just....I was excited as hell to go watch it again.

It's great to watch something you know 3/4 of again. I knew all the music, so I didn't have to pay attention to it as much, and I was able to pick up on things a bit more. I found myself watching background movements, dance routines, and just about anything to broaden my knowledge about this movie.

Having the soundtrack has been my greatest asset for many reasons. The music has inspired me, personally, and the lyrics have become part of my mantra for liffe. This truly is a fabulaous soundtrack. I was looking forward to seeing two songs performed most of all "La Vie Boheme" and "I'll Cover You (Reprise)". I was not disappointed the second time around. However, since I did know the whole damn thing by heart, I was shocked in the last 20 minutes, when....

10 minutes of scenes were MISSING FROM THE FILM!!

The funny thing is, whoever edited the film for the base theatre knew the EXACT moment to cut these two scenes. The sad thing is, I think they are somewhat pivotal. TO have them missing form the film is a big mistake, in my opinion...

The second half of "Goodbye Love" in which Roger and Marc fight about Roger's leaving NYC, and his subsequent "good-bye" with Mimi, who hears their fight. It's a heart wrenching moment to hear Mimi practicly cry as she sings "Good-bye Love, Hello Disease...." as Roger walks out. I cannot belive this scene somehow is not there. It is essential to the plot after Roger's return to NYC. Even Jess, who heard me complaining about the scene being gone was confused about some stuff later because it was gone. Also the music that was the central melody to this and the next song I mention, just POPS OUT OF NOWHERE at the end of the movie, and leaves the viewer going...."Um, huh?" In a movie wehre much of the music is repeated to emphasize past points or scenes, this ommision is quite confusing indeed. When I played th missing parts in my car on the way home, a little bit more clicked for Jss, and she agreed at last THIS song, should have not been incomplete.

The song - "Halloween" in which Marc realizes all his friends - Mimi, Roger, Collins, and Angel, who's just died -- will all be leaving him alone eventually. The sudden realization that he's going to be the lone survivor as he edits his film in the spare time from his job, which he loathes, is the opener to "What You Own", in which Roger returns to NYC, his "one song glory" written and he feels ready to face the rest of what his HIV positive days will bring to him. Instead, the scene is gone.....and I think some very great lines, and cinematogrophy along with it.

After the movie was over, I made a point to go to the person at the counter (who I belive is the manager) and point out that 10 minutes of the original movie was missing. The woman didn't seem to care much, but I made sure to mention that I had seen it in the big theatres, and I knew they were missing, and it might be good business to make sure the next theatre that got the reels knows it is incomplete. To her 10 minutes may be nothing, but to me, it was very disappointing indeed.

OK, so that's it for me on this film. I loved it. I eagerly anticipate Feb 21st, when it comes out on DVD. I am going to have Jess over and make sure she sees the two missing scenes, damn it! I just hope they are there, or I am going to have to start flipping out on the Powers that Be who put out the DVD at Sony...hehe.....

Explination.

OK, wow. I really surprised some of you all apprently. And some others, I am surprised that you knew things. I do still have many secrets, with only pne person who knows every detail besides Me. That would be Hubby. Eventually I will tell others I am close to, but for now...I will simply allude to them. So, for everyone who is confused as hell, I thought I would do a little explaining about one point though....

When I was 19, I was attending Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Fall Semester had wiped out ALL my earnings from 3 jobs that previous summer. Seriously, you can ask Janeygirl, all I did was friggin' work at the Hardware store my family owns, Subway, and Hillard's candy store. Oh yes, and I also cleaned houses on my ONE day off from those 3 jobs. So tecnically it was 4, even though the cleaning was cash under the table. I would go out on dates with guys at 1 am after I got off shift, because honestly, it was all the free time I had. It kinda sucked to be honest, but hey, school was paid for.

ok where were we? Oh yeah, I was BROKE. My tuition and books were paid for that semester, but next semester was looking grim. Nor did I have much spending money for other things...like going out, orderin pizza, and other normal college stuff. I had a job through the school, but I only worked about 20 hours a week, at $6 bucks and hour. That wasn't gonna come to even 1/4 of the tuition. A friend of mine who lived in the dorms always had money. I asked her how she got it, what job did she have? She told me of the truck stop about 10 miles away, off I-95. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the place! Anyway. She told me it was good money, especially on the weekends, AND because of some law in St. Johns county, I did NOT have to be totally naked, nor did I remove my top, or wear a g-string.

So, I went to the place. At first I asked to be a waitress, because I just couldn't bring myself to dance yet. The manager agreed, and I walked around in a tiny little bikini, with a sheer skirt and was waitress/hostess for about a week. Once I got used to the environment, the manager asked me if I would dance a couple numbers. Apparently some of the regulars liked me enough to want to see me dance. Well I did. It was fun. I never had to really get touched. In fact the two bouncers there, they were like hawks. If they thought a guy was taking too long putting the dollars in my waitband of my bikini bottoms, they "talked" to the guy in the back. It was a very friendly environment. Many of the girls went to the school with me. I was making, on average, about $400 a week, and up to $700 per week if I worked on the weekend, when I would do more lap dances and private booth dances, which were....a little more...well, let's just say....the customers got their money's worth. ;)

However, although I was propositioned many a time, NOT ONCE did I accept an offer to go home with a customer for a chance to "earn more money". Excotic dancer though I was, I was still instilled with some morals!

I worked at the place that whole 1st semester. I actually cut my winter break short with my family because I had to work. I told my family I had a waitress job, which technically I did still do in between my dance rotations. Well they accepted I had work, and they knew I had paid for my entire 2nd semester with the job. I went back and worked for another month or so. Then school was getting very instensive and I had to quit to consentrate on studying. I was trying to transfer back North, and had to bring my grades up. And I did. But I would have never made it to 2nd semester if it hadn't been for that job dancing.

And so there's the story.

So I am a bit of a Loony person, I've been told by some....and so, out of morbid cuirosity, decided to see how loony I am. I think my results are rather ENCOURAGING personally. There ARE loonier people out there of course....
My results:

Bugs Bunny! You scored 42 Aggression, 57 Sophistication, and 71 Optimism!

You have all the sophistication and charm one would expect from such a high-class hare. Very upbeat and generally laid-back, you are remarkably calm and peaceful even in the midst of the most stressful of situations. On those rare occasions that your anger is aroused, your retaliation usually results in embarrassing the aggressor and laying-bare how foolish he or she really is -- rather than doing any real harm. You likely have many friends and more than a few admirers and would make an excellent leader, if you had any interest in being one. But, being a leader would require hard work and attention to detail, both qualities you are lacking in. In fact, if you are not careful, your laid-back attitude will often lead you to drift through life completely oblivious to the changes happening around you. You also tend to have a horrible sense of direction.

Link: The Which Looney Tune Are You Test written by coolguy3000 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Pleasant Surprises

I love it when I learn someone is being nice to someone else about something. Whether it be a nice gift for me that a friend is making ;), or a source of support for a friend from an unexpected source, it makes me feel really good to know there is still some shred of humaity left in the world.

Especially when the world has so many problems, and people are fighting, suffering, or just plain being bullied by others, it is so encouraging to see random acts (or maybe not so random) of kindness for others.

And now, with my warm and fuzzy feeling in the center of my being, I will pay it forward and clean the house for Hubby. :)

Belatedly Tagged

A few days ago, Dear Jane tagged lil ole Me. I am an idiot and deleted the email that contained the comment. DUH, I just realized that I can look it up on my actual blog....so here we go:

Four Jobs You've Had in Your Life:
1. Supply Technician for USAF Nat'l Guard
2. Sandwich Artist for Subway
3. Exotic Dancer
4. Administrative Assistant

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Dazed and Confused
2. Down Periscope
3. Harry Potter Movies - any of them
4. Newsies

Four Places You've Lived:
1. Rhode Island
2. Massachusetts
3. Hawaii
4. Florida

Four Websites You Visit Daily:
1. Jeopardygirl's blog
2. Mugglenet.com
3. Yahoo Entertainment
4. My bank website

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch:
1. M*A*S*H
2. Desperate Houswives
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Four of Your Favorite Foods:
1. Fettuccini Alfredo
2. Chocolate ice cream
3. sunflower seeds
4. Pizza

Four Albums You Can't Live Without (at least for the moment):
1. Rent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2. Grey's Anatomy Soundtrack
3. Dazed and Confused Sountrack
4. um...... uh.....I ahevn't bought a new CD in 2 months (#1 &2 on my list), before that about a year...so.....Uh....oh wait I know: Alan Jackson - Drive

Four Places You'd Rather Be:
1. Central Florida - not as cold there, and lota to do. Oh yes, and cheaper cost of living
2. Oahu, Hawaii - more expesive, but warm weather
3. England - it may be cold there, but I still would be in heaven
4. Italy - again, the warm weather thing, and I would love to see the sights....

And finally, per tradition, Four People Who Are Now Obligated To Do This on Their Blog:

I am going to break tradition and list NO ONE *gasp* Only because I know all my contacts have done it already! haha.

Hope you enjoyed....

An apple a day....

....keeps Me away from the doctor. Well it's more than that to be honesst.....

My whole life I have had a bit of an adversion to doctors. I'll give you a brief ...history of me medically. It's not very exciting, but...here we go.

For a great while, between the ages of 5 and 8, I had nosebleeds - everynight. And I don't mean little ones. I mean my mom would take me to the ER because she was scared at the amount of blood coming out of my nose. At one point, I knew all the ER doctors who had the 3rd shift, and quite a few of the nurses. They couldn't figure it out. My doctor, get this -- Dr. Fireman -- was no help either. They eventually stopped.

When I was a young teen, about 12 or 13, I was told I was hypoglycemic, which is the opposite of diabetes, though technically I'm told, a form of it. I wasn't allowed to eat candy, chew regular gum, or drink my beloved Coca-Cola. Painfully skinny as I was already, here I was at age 13 drinking diet coke and having sugar free stuff. Total hell. People probably thought I was bulemic or something....Oh yeah I was anemic too. I bet it was from all the damn nose bleeds.....Eventually I wasn't anymore. Yay. Still weird, I think.

When I was around 15 or 16, I passed out a few times at school. One time, I had pain so bad in my chest, I was sent to the ER as soon as I walked inthe house, clutching my chest. I still have no clue how I got through that day. I still rememebr the pain so vividly, I will have nightmares about it once in a while. The doctor told me -- and for the life of me, I will never forget the exact words-- I had "had a little bit of a heart attack". Now, I am not a doctor, by all means, never claim to be, but I also am a pretty educated person. Even at 16, my first thought was , "either I had one or I didn't!" "Kind of" having one, is like saying you kind of have cancer, or diabetes, or you're kind of pregnant. I also was informed my anemia was back. That would explain why I slept about 20 hours a day, including in school sometimes. I thought I might have mono. My mom thought I was having a growth spurt. Trouble is, I am the same height I was at 13, so it wasn't that.

A little while after the "kind of a heart attack" episode, I started having a very bad personal life. Evil, manipulative, mentally abusive and sometimes physically abusive boyfriend and I broke up for the final time. Soon after that, I started drinking Screwdrivers in the morning, just to make it through the day. I also started smoking pot. That lead to a few other things....I'll stop there, because I know some friends from highschool read this. I think they would be surprised to know how bad it got for me. Let's just say.....waking up under a dumpster and losing 3 days of my life because of my extra curricular activities led me to a realization that I was in trouble.

Suddenly I decided to move to my Dad's. A lot of people were surprised. But some were not. they knew the whole ...Juan issue....was a big thing for me. I am sure they thought I just needed to get away. I did, but now, I revaled more reasons why....When at my Dad's, and the 2 years after that into college, I never had any real health problems. It was the best decison I had made in my life to that point. I still drank at parties, and smoked pot occasionally. I won't lie. But anything else offered was promptly turned down. I wasn't stupid enough to do that shit again.

When I met Hubby and got married, I got preggers right away, not even knowing it until AFTER I was already married. Soon after I knew, I lost it. Ia few months later, just when I thought my body was back on track....I lost another baby I didn't even knew I had....yep. I was even on the pill, so you can imagine the look on my face in the ER when the docs told me why I had woken in the middle of the night in a pool of blood. oh yeah....

The next year.....well....let's just say. I am a fertile woman. However, my body apparently was not made to deliver babies in the conventional way. I learned this the hard way. I'll talk more about that in April.....

well because of all the lovely traumatic events, some of which here I've only skimmed-- many of which I haven't mentioned, I don't like doctors. Hubby has to practically put a gun to my head and dial to even make an apointment. In fact, last year, when I had my car accident, I went 2 months with constant pain in my left arm and shoulder, just because I hate them so much. Finally the gun was pulled, and the injury taken care of.

Now, I am having issues again. I haven't slept well for a while, but the last 3 months or so have been particularly bad. I just ...can't sleep...so I stay up late. And then, the kids wake me up early. Even when I DO get a full nights sleep, I still feel like I haven't slept since 1998. So, as part of my New Years Resolutions, which I have not listed them all on here, I decided to get checked out -- full physical, all the bloodwork, all the tests, all the lovely woman stuff too. I got a list a mile long of everything I want taken care of or talked about.

The funny thing? Even though I would LOVE to have this taken care of right away, the soonest available apointment is Jan. 31st!. Yes, I said January 31st. So that means, 2 more weeks of sleepless nights and miscelaneous maladies.....oh joy.....

But I finally made the appoinment. And a gun wasn't neccessary. Hubby will be so proud!

B I N G Ohhh...damn it!

So Me, and my "girlz" Michelle and Jen went to Bingo at Foxwoods Casino last night. I hadn't been since I got back to Rotten Groton, and though I kept wanting to go with Michelle, it never actually transpired. Last night, we finally went though.

On a side Note: Jess, I am sorry you couldn't make it this time, but absolutely next time I will make sure you are coming. Even if I have to tie Dan down so he doesn't have to deal with work and has his arms free to be with his son. (Jess reads the blog, ladies and gents...and like most sailors, her hubby's over-worked and underpaid....)

ok..back to my thrilling evening...

Well....wait...first, I should explain something. If you get 2 or more Navy Wives together in a car for at least 30 minutes, eventually they are going to tell housing/neighbor horror stories.....it's like...an unwritten rule. We all have to share this stuff with each other. It's a survival mechanism, I honestly think so.... ok anyway

Well we all hd a blast telling and hearing stories on the way up, and though the walk to the Bingo Hall. Then we started playing.

I love my freind Jen, but she was having a hell of a time. So I was helping her mark her cards as well. It was fun for everyone. In fact we agreed we need to do it at LEAST once very 2 weeks. But....none of us won any money. Which damn it all to hell, would have been FRIGGIN SWEET....but alas, it was not in the stars....this time....

So we decided after sitting for 4 hours straight and not getting up once to walk around the casino and look at the sights. Well Michelle did get up, twice..I however was an idiot and did not stretch at half-time. I was limping. I have bad knees. I always have since HS and my cheerleading days. I landed on a jump once, and my knees didn't like it. I suffered through Boot camp for the Air Force with it. To this day, going down more then one flight of stairs makes my legs a bit shaky...but of course, I digress.... So I was walking by thse stands and I saw someone who looked so familiar I had to call out her name....

"Jane? Jane Herlastname?"

"Cissa?? HEY!!"

Yep, that's right, it was JANEYGRRRL!! I couldn't belive it. She had been in Bingo with another face from the past, Kelly....it was insane! They ahd been at the casino all day. We could have spent 4 hours together at Bingo! But alas, it was not in the stars.....But it was so great to see her for a few minutes. She didn't realize how close to the casino I actually live, so she hadn't called me. Well, now she knows to call next time, doggone it!

So altogether a fun night. Of course, as is Navy Wife tradition, we talked about our husbands and their "quirks" on the way home. LOL What's a girl's night out without a little husband-bashing, I ask you? Honestly, not complete!!

I got Home and Hubby was still awake. we talked for a little while then drifted off to sleep.

A fun night indeed!

Stayin' Alive

Hello all you faithful visitors.....

Nope, nothings wrong, just been in a cleaning frenzy the last few days. Over the weekend I did as little as possible, and the house suffered, so Sunday I started really cleanng this house. Not much in the way of things of exciting, but since we've returned from Christmas at my parents, I had been slacking big time in the cleaning department. Apparently it was getting really bad, because Hubby started complaining about it. Not that he HELPED clean, mind you. He is the Alpha Male, and hence, lifting a finger around this friggin' house would certainly question his status here *rolls eyes*...I am sure you get the picture.

So anyway, I am back. I have had the chance to read all my faves, of course, but seeing as I was doing somethign completely non-write-worthy the last 3 days, until it was finished, I have not had much to say....

I hope you all are well! Hopefully I will have something more substantial to write later int he day.....ahh the pitter patter of footed pyjamas.....and the beat goes on.....

A Love Story

Today is a milestone for Me and the Hubby.....yes our Wedding Anniversary was back in October, but today I am going to share with you all about how we met, and why Today is so special. You see, 8 years ago today, Hubby and I really "got together". And I'm not talking about sex...I'm talking about....well, read the story, and you'll find out.....

When Hubby was in Groton the first time, I - age 20, was living in RI with my mom, going to Rhode Island College and working. It was the fall of 1997. A friend I had gone to High School with and I reconnected and we would go to the "18+ Night" at a club in Providence called "The Metro" it was once "Desperados" and at one point after Hubby and I were dating was called "Swingers" when the retro swing craze hit....anyway, So going to the "18+ Night" was my weekly Thursday night ritual. After a few times, I noticed this one group of guys that was always there too. One guy in particular was HOTTER than anything. My friend tried to convince me to go up and talk to him. Now usually I am a very outgoing person, but because of a socially and mentally damaging incident in Junior High, I was afraid to approach guys at dances/dance clubs. Well one night, the guys were off the dance floor. The remix of the Grease soundtrack songs came on "You're The One That I Want" was first. The guys came on the dance floor and were going to their "usual spot" on the dance floor. For no reason, I grabbed the hot guy and started to dance with him. I don't know what possessed me to do it. We didn't say a word, just danced. Just that song. Neither one of us danced with anyone else the whole night. I know cause I watched him like a hawk the rest of the night.

The next week, the guy and his friends were back. My friend somehow convinced me to just go say hello and talk to the guy. Well, she threatened me that if I didn't she would - thus embarrassing me even more! So, I mustered up courage and walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and loooked at me like "Who the hell are you?" this is what happened.

Me: "Hi!"

Him: "Uh, hi..."

Me: "We danced together last week, remember?"

Him: "Um...no, not really," cue me blushing and feeling like a total dummy.

Me: "Oh well, I just wanted to come and say hello."

Him "Okay. Hello."

He then turned back around to his friends and ignores me. Cue me feeling like a loser walking back to my friend humiliated and fuming at her. I then proceed to tell her that I am NEVER talking to another guy in a nightclub. This simlar situation happened in Junior High and was exactly what I feared would happen again. I was ready to throttle her. She told me to shut up and dance. What else could I do? So I danced. A little while later "You're The One That I Want" comes on. I start dancing, reliving my humiliation in my mind again. The guy comes up to me and says:

"Hi. Sorry I didn't remember you before. I do now. Wanna dance?" I agreed and we dance. Only to that song once again.

The next week we dance again to the same song. No talking involved. The 4th week, it was my mom's birthday, and we were supposed to take my mom to the club. She was 40 and I wanted her to have fun. She backed out last minute. So me and my friend and her new boyfriend went. I lost them somewhere in the club. I went to our usual spot looking all around. The hot guy was there. I went up to him and asked if he had seen the blonde girl I was always with. He said he hadn't seen her at all. I asked him if was staying in the spot. He said he was. I told him if he saw my friend to grab her and tell her to stay put, that I was looking for her. He agreed. I walked around the club again, trying to find her to no avail. I went back to the spot. The hot guy said he hadn't seen her. I decided I would just stay put and she could come to me.

That Nine Inch Nails song that has the famous line "I wanna fuck you like and animal" came on. I said:

"Wanna dance? I know it's not our song..." he laughed and said "Sure."

By the end of the song, we were kissing. After that song, we went into the piano bar part of the club and talked. This guy was amazing. Sweet, nice, funny...and in the Navy. And he was from Florida, which I had recently left to transfer college up North. He was the one for me. We talked and kissed all night long. I got his number on the boat. I still have that piece of paper! He still has the one with my number on it too! LOL. I went home and told my mom I had met the man I was going to marry. She laughed it off. We went out 2 nights later to Providence to Lupo's. Again we talked and kissed all night. He and his buddies even took me out to Bickfords for post-clubbing breakfast. I knew he was going out to sea on Monday.... He got back from going out to sea for a week. I had told him I was going to try and have him come to my Dad's for Thanksgiving dinner so he could have a home-cooked meal for a change. My grandmother told me no because we already had 18 people for dinner. I felt so terrible about that....he called back and I felt like a dog for having to tell him he couldn't come.

Then, we kinda lost touch. I was busy with work, school and my friends... I got a message from my Nana that he had called "To say goodbye and Merry Christmas" and I freaked out. I called the boat in a panic and got a hold of his friend Kevin. He told me Hubby was on leave, not out of the Navy like I thought, but he could not give me his home number in FL, security reasons. However, he told me Hubby was due back January 6th, and gave me the boat address and suggested I write him a letter. So I did just that.

January 6th came. I called the boat at 9 am like I had said I would do in my letter, praying that he had recieved it. Hubby answered the phone! He had gotten my letter and was waiting by the phone for me to call. He asked me if I could come stay with him for a couple days in his apartment in CT. I said I had the next 3 days off from work. (I had decided to take a semester off because I was stressed from family issues and work). That night he came to RI and took me back to CT.. We had a great 3 days. We have been together ever since...and I was right! I did find the guy I was gonna marry! We've been married 7 years.

In the 8 years we've been together, we've been through Hell and back. But I love the man. I truly think we are soul-mates. And it all started, truly began with no confussion, 8 years ago today.

So even though Valentines Day is next month, for Hubby and Me, it's today. The day we became Sweethearts....

Back to routine?

Well yesterday Em went with her classmate Justin to his grandpa's house. Justin's grandpa LOVES Emily. The last 2 times Emily has gone, she has come home with a new porcelain doll. Yesterday was no different.

While Em was away, and Kaity was napping, Mom was over doing laundry. Hubby and I took this opportunity to go to Home Depot and finally finally get a new pantry for the kitchen, and a wardrobe, freestanding closet type thingy for all our linens, since this house came without a closet for such items... I am so excited. We got most of the pantry put together last night, and I cleaned the kitchen. Today after getting some business done on base, we will take care of the rest of the pantry and start on the linen closet. Can it be true? I might actually get rid of some of the boxes that have been piled in my room since July??? *gasp* I cannot fathom it! Will my food and small appliances actually be "away" and not sitting on plastic shelving where little hands can access them all the time? *gasp* It must be true!!! Joy of Joys! Praise Jesus!

Anyway....Today Emily goes back to school after "Winter Break" as they call it these days. FINALLY!!....As of MONDAY, life will be back to normal! HOORAY!!!

As much as I like the Holidays, and being around my family....after a while, I just need normalcy...things back to how they usually go. It helps me get through the day to know I have a routine, ya know?When Em and Hubby are on vacation from school and work, a money wrench is thrown in. I am glad though that I got the time with them.....

Speaking of our time together...tomorrow is a special day for Us. He doesn't realize it at the moment...and I will write about it tomorrow...something else to write about....incentive, we'll call it, to update tomorrow....

Happy Trails.....

Bummer, Man!

We got some kinda snow/sleet storm and school is not opening today. Damn it. My kid is bored, I can't even let her go out to play, cause it's all gross, icy and sleety out....if it were proper snow, I'd have no problem...Today is going to ROYALLY SUCK...and she doesn't have school tomorrow either, cause Wednesdays the PM class doesn't have it...damn damn damn...at least she is going to her friend's grandpa's tomorrow -- she won't be bored....*sigh*

The quitting is comming along. I had about 10 cigarrettes yesterday. I played EQ2 and it made me want to smoke more...gotta find an alternative for the cancer sticks...maybe I'll start chewing gum or somehting...not that nicotine gum, just regular Trident or something...cause I have found myself eating more when not smoking....I guess the old addage about gaining weight when you quit IS true...damn damn damn!

Back to life....and bored children...and resisting the urge to smoke...*sigh*

Apology

Sorry for my profanity earlier. And I don;t wish death on the Dolphins. I am just andry they won, becuas enow I have to deal with my husband being all smug about it for the next 9 months.

I pray to God New England wins the Super Bowl again this year, just to shut his friggin face up.

On a lighter note: I've only had 4 cigarrettes today. That's pretty good considering I am usually smoking a pack a day. It's been bad though when I've had cravings......I think I might try out the patch or something, see if that helps....

Hope Everyone's New Year has started out nicely....

P.S. Doug Flutie is the friggin COOLEST player ever. Anyone who saw The Drop Kick today can attest to it!

DIE

I hope all of the Miami Dolphins die of poisoning tomorrow...make them suffer for hours before finally keeling over and doing the fucking world a favor. Oh yeah and all the fucking reffs for the bullshit calls they made today.

Happy New Year

Welcome 2006.

oh yes, one more thing:

GO PATRIOTS!!!

Kick Miami's ass...PLEASE!!!

(I'll explain after the game)

Should Old Aquaintence Be Forgot....

Well, 2005 is rapidly drawing to a close. And as customary to this time of year, I have spent some moments recently reflecting on the past 364 days of my life....here are some highlights, and things I have discovered in 2005...

I have learned to appreciate my family more than I knew how. After moving back to New England this year, I rememebr why I love and sometimes cannot stand them. But I would rather be near them than far away.

J.K. Rowling is a genius! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was her best book yet. I eagerly anticipate 2006, as she has stated herself that she will begin Book 7.

My children have grown and changed so much this year, it's unbeliveable. They are turning into good kids, with great personalities. Even if I do have hard times with them, I am so glad they are mine. I think I may be doing this Mommy thign right afterall. They make me proud.

I will never underestimate my husband again when it comes to anniversary gifts. His present to me after 7 years of marriage BLEW ME AWAY. He is my rock. He is my lover. He is my best friend. Even if he does piss me off sometimes, I wouldn't be able to make it through life without him.

Thanks to the internet, I have been able to reconnect with friends I never thought I would again. Jen, Sonja and Nessa, especially. I am so greatful for the friendships I have rediscovered this year. And I look forward to 2006 when I get to meet Jen and be Nessa's Matron of Honor for her wedding.

I have aged well, apperntly. My 10 year reunion has taught me that. I also must look better than I thought I do, because I got many compliments, and I also know some guys have been checking me out lately hehe!

My love of Theatre was rekindled this fall. Being in Groton Regional Theatre let me meet some great people, some of whom I keep in contact with still -- right Levine? *wink*

Mvoing from Florida to CT was an adventure. Especially packed up in my little sedan with me, 2 kids, and a cat. I hope I never have to do it again.

Surgery sucks. Especially when you have a health issue that has the possibility of making your life hell. But the drugs for recovery ROCK. And so does finding out your surgery solved your problem!

I have seen some good movies this year. I have seen some GREAT movies this year. I have watched some movies that were total crap. But overall, Movies of the year have been very entertaining.

Celebrities had it rough this year: bad incidents with paparazzi, separations, divorce, cheating, etc. A lot of bad things happened to these people. I guess it's good I am not famous afterall....

Blogging is a great way to meet people all over the world. I am so glad Jeopardygirl inspired me to make my own. I have made some good friends, and met odd, interesting and even jerky people. But this whole experience has been great, and I am happy to continue on.

And now, on to 2006!

Christmas Day Part 2, and the rest of the trip.

Amid a flurry of excitement and wrapping paper, Emily, Kaitlyn and Colby (my cousin who's 6 months younger than Em) unwrapped their presents. They did very well, toy wise, and got some nice clothes, mostly which Emily needed badly. They also got a cool sled for when it snows again. Emily wanted to try it out right away. I tried to explain we needed snow, and colder temperatures (it was 50 on Christmas). Eventually she got the idea. LOL

The only thing Emily was disappointed about was not getting a Dora Talking Kitchen. I told her that maybe Santa couldn't find any in time for her for Christmas, as it was popular. Then I reminded her that her birthday is in 3 months. She got over it fast. I recieved 2 seasons of M*A*S*H on DVD, a book I was dying to get, and TWO sets of the new dishes I asked for. Which made me REALLY happy..gosh that's about it. Hubby got a very nice LL Bean sweater that he needed , and it looks very very sexy on him. He also got a Zippo lighter with the Navy Logo on it. This surprised me, as it was the first time my parents acknowleged we smoke...or that he does anyway. That was pretty cool. We also got a gift certificate to Linda Jeans on the Vineyard, which we used the next day, and $50 gift card for Olive Garden. Bet you know where we're going on New Years Eve, huh?

I left Emily with Colby to play and took Kaity back to "our house" to take a nap, as she was getting ornery and whiny. Then I did some de-boxing of the toys, so there would be more room to pack them in the car when we left in a couple days. Hubby took a nap as well, and I did a little laundry and re organized the suitcases.

When Dinner time came, we had a feast! Turkey, Ham, all the sides, rolls, gravy (though Hubby said later my gravy was better - whatta man!). And an array of desserts. I think I had some of everythign there! I know I had seconds of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes! Hubby and I talked with my Uncle Ken and Aunt Michelle for a long while, and eventually we cleaned up and headed back to the house. We let the kids play for a while, then sent them to bed. It had been a good day.....

And that was my Christmas Day!

The next day I just hung out at the house did more laundry, folding and packing, the kids played togehter with Colby, and it was all around relaxing.We went to lunch at Linda Jean's, visitied an old friend Jaime, and headed home. That night I met up with a friend from High School (and ex-boyfriend hehe) Eric, and his wife Kristina. We had dinner at the local brewery, and talked, laughed and reminisced about old times, old friends, and everything in between. It was fun, and I really am glad I got together with them. I hope next time we go to the Vineyard, Eric and Kristina will hang out again.

Well the next day, the 27th, we packed up, and headed out. It was not a long drive of course, but Kaity and Emily especially did not want to leave, and they were cranky the whole ride home -- until they fell asleep that is...We got home by 4 and by 5 the car was unloaded and stuff sorted into rooms....It was nice coming home to a fairly clean house...though 3 days later, it again looks like a bomb hit is *sigh* oh well. I know what I am doing for New Years at least!

So that was my trip. It was a good trip. Not too long, not too short, and there were no major problems, fights or anything. I only hope that the next trip I take down there is this good! But as the old saying goes "Be it ever so Humble, there's no place like Home!"

I'll post again later ...you know, the usual End-Of-Year stuff....Later Gators!

Christmas Day Part 1

Well Christmas Eve went off great! Except for church, wehre Kaitlyn would NOT shut up the whole time, and let out a HUGE belch in the middle of the Pastro's sermon. God, I was mortified! Hubby was laughing so hard he was crying, it was just a nightmare. I apologized later to the Pastor for my child, and she was really cool about it:

"I'm sure Baby Jesus wasn't a pefect child either."

I had to laugh at that one. Can you imagine Mary dealing with a 2 year old Jesus!

"Jesus! STOP right now, or so help me, your Father is going to hear about it! And you won't like what he'll do to you, young man!" haha! oh my....that's funny...

Anyway...Christmas Eve the kids stayed at my parents house, while me and Hubby went to the house we were staying at (next door at grandparent's 2nd house). After we got everything in the house, it was insane...Those kids did really well this year.

So Christmas morning I am awoken to the phone rining

"Good Morning."

"MOM!! SANTA CAME COME OVER RIGHT NOW!!"

"Ok, ok baby, we'll be over soon...."

Good lord, those kids flipped out apparently. They were so excited about rpesents...LOL. Well they had to wait for the big stuff, btu we did stockings, and the kids wer able to be satiated with that for an hour or so til we went to my grandparents house where everyone meets. Hubby did good as Santa for my stocking this year. I was surprised, because he kept saying to me I might not like what I got. But seriously? Everythign I got I liked. Hubby is good at this, he underestimates himself.....The kids played withj their stocking stuffers and ate candy while my dad put the turkey in the oven, and Me and Mum loaded pressnts in the car....then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpas......

I'll get started with Christmas Presents later today....I'm back! yay!

Christmas Eve, YAY!

Greetings to you all from Martha's Vineyard! We made it to Woods Hole in record time yesterday, and so made an earlier boat - SCORE!! We had a great time hanging out with my parents and siblings, and had a delicious dinner of Calzones, made by my dad. YUM

Today we went to Linda Jean's Restaurant with my sister for breakfast. The kids are having a great time and Hubby and I even got to go into town alone! YAY! My Mum and Emily just went for a walk on the Lagoon (it's 50 degrees and Sunny! woot!) And now they will make cookies and desserts for tomorrow's dinner. My uncle, aunt and cousin get here this evening, and we will all go to Christmas Eve service together. Emily is so excited to see her cousin Colby. It's all she's talked about for the last 3 days. I will be so happy when they finally get together to play. Then I will get a break from hearing about it! LOL

So far, so good as far as stress, excitement and family annoyance. I am having a good time. Hopefully this will last most of the time I am here. LOL

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and I'll check back in in a couple days!

Holiday Quiz Time (for Jeopardygirl)

You Are a Losing Lottery Ticket!

Full of hope and promise. But in the end, a cheap letdown.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

You Were Nice This Year!

You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list. You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

Laurie Tagged Me

So today's tag is via Laurie - A cool lady, witha great attitude and fabulous sense of humor. Make sure to visit her blog, and let her know I sent ya! ;)

Todays Theme: "Five things that prove my kid is weird" and here we go...

1. My daughter Emily (the oldest) has an unnatural emotional attachment to her stuffed animals. I mean, she thinks the things have souls. She talks about them (and to them) like they are real people. She FREAKS when I decide to thin some of them out, and has emotional "goodbyes" (we're talking tears and "I'll never forget you!") with each of them before they go in the box to Goodwill.

2. My daughter Kaitlyn (the youngest) aboslutely WILL NOT use the potty unless she is 100% nekkid. Right down to her socks. I am not kidding. It's a production every time. Then as soon as she is done, she needs to put everything back on and flips out if I don't do it RIGHT THEN when she says "All done Mama!"

3. Kaitlyn is smart, and is learning her body parts. However, she will not call a nose, a nose. She calls it a "BEEP!". This stems form when she was younger and we'd touch her nose and go "Beeep!" She calls ALL noses Beeps. "Mama's Beep!" "Daddy's Beep!" I am now trying to fix this, but it's not working quite right. Everything else she knows...but it looks like Beep will be in her vocabulary for a while.

4. Emily LOVES school. I mean really loves it. When she started pre-school last year, and the first few days this year of Pre-K, she would CRY hysterically when she saw me and I said it was time to go home. I had to physically remove her, pry her really, from the door frame of the classroom. I think if they ever had a sleepover at the school, Emily would be in HEAVEN.

5. Emily has a memory that is just...uncanny and weird. Like a very motivated specific memory. She can't remember where her juice cup is, but BY GOLLY, she WILL remember that 3 years ago, you promised to take her to the fair and buy her cotton candy and a blue doggie. And she will remind you every 2 minutes until you get your ass in the car and take her to the fair, or the mall, or Chuck E Cheese, or wherever. She also will remember that you said there was no chips left, and when she gets chips with lunch she will point that out...regardless if you did tell the truth and just went to the store and bought some while she was at school yesterday. As long as the outcome of any statement or action will benefit/affect her, she will remember it with perfect clarity. Right down to where everyone was standing when it happened/was said. But ask her where her sneakers are? "I can't rememebr where I took them off!!" and she only took them off 5 minutes ago. Weird.

So I am supposed to Tag 5 people...uhhhh....

Eric
Rebecca
Ann
Fuzzbox
Dick the Boomer

good luck all...and thanks Laurie! :)

I've Accomplished Much, But It Looks Like Llittle

I spent the majority of today doing the dreaded laundry. Yes, lucky readers, I hate doing it, and I procrastinate. I will wash clothes...then I start a clothes mountain. Everyday I dig through the mountain to find clothes for myself, my children, and on occasion Hubby too. All in all, I folded the equivalent of 8 loads of laundry. That was 6 loads already done, and two I washed and folded today. I also decided to go though the 8 boxes of linens lined up against my bedroom wall, sort, condense, fold and re-organise until I have a permanat armoire or cabinet to put them in. Then, I figured I'd start packing. With the exception of toiletries and hair care, Hubby and I are packed. I even got out clothes for us to wear for the next 2 days, just so there is no confusion. Hubby will be pleasantly surprised to see the room when he gets home tomorrow...more on that in a bit...

When Mom & Dad came over yesterday, they brought our presents in these big nifty felt bags that say "Merry Christmas" on them. So I put all the presents for the girls from "Mommy & Daddy" in one, and all the gifts for the family members in the other. I switched out my purse from my "Gone With the Wind" screen print one to my Dooney & Bourke bag. Somewhere in the day I also managed a load in the dishwasher. I am not tired. I want to do more. I am SERIOUSLY considering going through the house and emptying trash & the cat's litter box. But I am leaning towards finishing up Santa Business for Hubby. We are only doing stockings for each other this year. We thought it was more important for the kids to have a good Christmas. Plus he got me a WICKED gorgeous watch for our anniversary back in October, so I don't feel the need to get anything else from him 'til Valentines Day. ;)

So about Hubby: His boat pulled in early by 2 days. We were surprised, but it's a good thing. He got his leave squared away, and I don't have stress about him getting in trouble for going out of state and not showing up to work or whatever. He had duty today, so he's not home. Maybe that's why I got so much accomplished. He wasn't around to suck me into his evil EQ2 vaccuum. I hope he notices the difference in our bedroom. I worked hard on it. Emily was gone most of the day too having gone off to her little friend Justin's grandfather's house with their family. Justin's Grandpa LOVES Emily. Almost every time she's gone there she's come home with a new toy. Today it was 2 new ones *sigh*. And to think I just cleaned out that toybox.....

I dunno why I am telling you all this. I still feel pressure. I know I didn't get some things done today that I needed to, and I did do some stuff on the list for tomorrow.....So maybe it'll all even out in the end....

ok, Present wrapping time...*sigh* Or maybe I'll try to get sleep....

On a side note: I was VERY sad to see Cute Daniel booted from Project Runway this week. I think it should have been Santino. I can't stand that arrogant little bastard. And his designs suck too BTW.....

Can't Sleep

It's nearly 1 am, and I cannot sleep. I tossed and turned. I tried reading. I watched TV. Nothing is working. Not even my old stand-by of naming US Cities from A to Z. I went through the alphabet twice before I gave up and came downstairs.

I know I have a LOT to do tomorrow and Thursday...that's probably why I can't sleep. So I made lists of everything I need to do and pack for the trip. You know what I noticed? There are not enough hours in the day....and even if I wanted to try and accomplish the things on my list right now, I can't.The Post Office is closed, everyone else is asleep so I can't fold clothes or pack, and it's too damn cold to get dressed to take out the trash...among other things I need to do...

I think the Holiday Stressmobile has made a retun trip to my brain. ugggghhhh.....

Merry Christmas to All

I will be leaving for my Dad and Step-Mum's house in Martha's Vineyard in about 3 days. In that time, I have LOTS to do, and probably will not be online much. My Mom and Step-Dad are coming over tomorrow to exchange gifts with us, and I am excited for that. Then it's cleaning, cleaning, and packing. Oh yes, and Emily has a Holiday party at school tomorrow afternoon. Then finally Friday afternoon we head out. I may be able to use the computer there in MV, or my brother's or my sister's laptops....but nothing is set in stone. And I just may not have the time!

So, seeing as I will be on hiatus until the middle of next week, I would like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas. If you celebrate another religion, Happy Hannaukah and Happy Kwanza to you as well!

I am excited about the whole thing. I am nearly done wrapping, having spent a good 2 1/2 hours so far today wrapping the AWESOME pcitures I took of the girls that came in today. This is them - albeit a little smaller of course....They are framed in lovely oak frames, and I think everyone will like them....

Aren't they just the two cutest kids you ever saw??? :) I cannot wait to do all the Christmas Eve traditions with them. I really am getting psyched for the holiday! *SQUEE!!* Hubby is cringing as I post this. He is not a guy who gets very excited about much, so when I get excited, it's enough for two people....hehe...

Well, that's all for now....I'll try to post while I am gone, but if not, see you all when I return!

Merry Christmas!

Love & Hugs To You All,

~Cissa Fireheart