Jester

Aaron goofing around on Christmas day!

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

Just want to wish everyone a merry little Christmas filled with God's love and blessings. What a beautiful time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ! As you go about this busy season, stop and reflect on the year that is coming to an end. Reflect on the good and bad, the happy and sad...whatever you've been through, there is a reason and chances are it has made you a stronger person. I know as I look back there have been some things this year that have made me laugh like a Hyena, cry like a baby, worry to the point that more gray hair showed up!, had screaming fits, and found myself praying harder than I ever had before. I am another year closer to the big 4-0 and I can honestly say as I reflect back on it that life is good...actually life at our house is Blessed beyond measure!! We have so many things to be thankful for that I couldn't possibly list them all or acknowledge even the highlights as I cannot type that fast :) but I will tell you it is easier to get through this thing called life with God, first and foremost. Family makes for a great and exciting adventure especially with teenage boys in the house!! I must include our friends, they sure make life more interesting, relaxing with them and knowing you can share those 'unique' qualities with them and they love you just the same...ok, who am I kidding...they think we are total dorks but that's what makes it fun! Then there's the place we call home and when we walk through the door, we are instantly engulfed in love and understanding. It's a place where we can vent our anger and frustration, where we can laugh, play and act like total goof balls. It's a place that keeps us safe and warm and no matter what, it's a place of peace and acceptance. It's a great place to be and as I reflect my heart is overflowing with love, I am reminded of the blessings God so graciously has given, even if we don't ask or deserve it. As you reflect, count your blessings...it is amazing how much we take for granted on a daily basis without giving it a second thought. Merry Christmas!

A New Window

A couple of weeks ago a new window was installed in our living room. This window is huge at nearly 10 feet wide, it had to be special ordered. We would sit in the living room in the evening watching television, just freezing because the wind would blow right through. In a rainstorm, the rain literally poured in the window, soaking the carpet. It is now leak free and so much warmer! What's next? Looks like a fresh coat of paint would make that window look even nicer, don't you think? :)

Tammy's on vacation

Tammy is on vacation for ten, count them t-e-n glorious days of doing just about nothing! The timing couldn't have been more perfect because to be honest, I truly needed a break. I haven't had any vacation time since our trip to Nebraska in June 2007, 18 months ago. I had requested this particular week off last month but didn't think it would be approved, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw it marked on the calendar at work :) I was ecstatic to say the least!!

So...on my vacation of doing just about nothing, I have actually accomplished quite a bit. This house is cleaner than it's been in a while, even the dreaded bathroom where someone is bound to die from kucamonga disease (that's actually a word my Dad so creatively made up years ago!) is now fairly sparkling! The floors are vacuumed and swept so there's no need to have shoes on to walk across the floor for fear of stepping on something foreign. The bedding has been washed and those flannels are so comfy and inviting especially on these cold winter's nights. The counter in the kitchen is actually clean as I have energy to wash dishes because I cook supper before 5:30 p.m. rather than after 7:00. Amazing.

Let's not forget the Christmas baking, the REAL reason I wanted vacation for this particular week. Yesterday I mixed up so many batches of cookies, the batter was a flying! (The amount of spilled/excess ingredients may have been the real reason for sweeping the floor!!) My list of baked goods included: peanut butter, snicker doodles, chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, oatmeal, holly cookies, peanut butter rounds, puppy chow, and a single loaf of bread. I made up several plates and dispersed them around town to businesses and friends. It's always nice to put a smile on someones face :)

There's also the matter of needing time off to relax and deal with the stress that has beat me to the ground, really, it is kicking my @ss. The great news has to be I haven't had a headache in over a week, which was occurring EVERY single day for over a month. I have energy and am not tired. But the GREATEST news of all has to be the fact that this girl is sleeping. Finally. Seriously, my head hits the pillow about 10 p.m. and I wake up with the alarm at 5:20 a.m. this is solid sleep and I have been waking up in the same position I fell asleep in. I bounce out of bed, shower and have an abundance of energy! And those of you that truly know me, know that Tammy does NOT sleep very well. I am tired but my body won't unwind and relax enough to sleep and if I do, it is a constant tossing, turning, going from the bed to the recliner to the couch and this vicious cycle repeats itself probably 6 nights a week. AND if I'm lucky, I sleep for 3-4 hours solid in one stretch, otherwise I will lay wide awake and never fall back to sleep. It is frustrating. I've thought about going to a doctor or sleep clinic but over analyze that it is MY problem so I should be able to fix it on my own. I don't want to be medicated. Maybe all I needed was a vacation!

Speaking of sleep, it is nearing the ten o'clock hour so I must get to bed or Santy Claus won't fill the stockings that should be hung up but are currently lost! That is not a joke...I packed them away in a new box or secret spot or empty drawer and they have vanished into thin air. Not sure what to do...will Santy deliver if it's a plastic bag instead of a stocking? Hmmm...I'll let you know tomorrow :)

Hardy and Elaine

Hardy and Elaine, Chris's dad and step mom popped in Wednesday afternoon, spent the night, leaving early Thursday morning. They are on their way to spend a couple days in Branson and then they will stop back by on Saturday. We had a nice visit with them, Hardy picked on the boys, like Grandpa ALWAYS does!!

BIOPSY

Yesterday, I went to Dr. Craig Naugle in the Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield to have a biopsy done on my right thigh. The path report with be back Friday afternoon. He seems to think it may be basal cell carcinoma, which is the 'good' kind of skin cancer. As for the spot on my temple that just won't heal and is growing. It is precancerous. He used nitrogen on that particular spot and said if it wasn't fully healed in about a month, then he will have to do surgery to remove it. I hope this does the trick because I still fully remember how it felt the last time I had surgery on my head for skin cancer. My eyes were blackened and nearly swollen shut...but I am thankful!!! So, there's the update, sorry if the picture is too graphic, by the way...it hurts like a big dog this morning :(

Marshmallows, please!

One of the greatest simple pleasures that cold weather brings is enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. Of course, it has to be brimming with marshmallows! Some of my fondest memories of those cold Nebraska winters involve hot chocolate. We'd get done hauling or cutting wood and go into the house to get warm. Mom would already have the water boiling! We would all sit in front of the wood stove sipping our scalding hot chocolate, marshmallows sticking to our noses, as we waited for our toes to thaw. Somehow, Mom always managed to have this sweet treat on hand for us during freezing winter's days. Mmmmmm....

Paintball Season

DSC01145, originally uploaded by trlrover.

Bryon called last week (over the boys Thanksgiving break) wanting to borrow some paintball equipment as his family was in for the holiday. The boys sprung into action and next thing you know the paintball maniacs were at it again!!

Tammy's Countdown

This was a recent post on my friend Heather's blog. It made me stop and think about my 'countdown' and I must admit, not only was it eye opening but humbling as well.

TEN THINGS I WISH I COULD SAY:

*** Take your political views elsewhere, I have my own and am fine without you shoveling in your opinions!

*** A bar of soap isn't that expensive, go bathe!

*** I appreciate your hunting efforts, love the pictures but I am NOT interested in the stories!

*** That really did not taste all that appealing.

*** To the teenager with a gawd-awful amount of make-up, I'd tell her to wash her face, she is pretty enough without it, as it is what in one's heart that measures true beauty :)

*** To those parents who are continually screaming at their kids in front of me, I'd love to scream back "SHUT UP! DO YOU REALIZE HOW NASTY YOU SOUND AND HOW UGLY YOU LOOK WHEN YOU SPEAK LIKE THAT, NOT TO MENTION HOW DEVASTATING THAT IS TO YOUR CHILD?"

*** I don't want excuses, it will lead to a lie, just get the task done!

*** I'd say "GET A JOB" don't bitch about how much food costs as you hand the cashier a FOOD STAMP card to purchase soda, candy, chips and have a fit because you don't have enough random change to buy cigarettes. Good grief.

*** You have bad breath, back up or brush your teeth.

*** You don't have a clue.

NINE THINGS ABOUT ME:

*** I love my family. Unconditionally.

*** I don't particularly like to cook but LOVE to bake.

*** I love music, the louder - the better :)

*** I can spend hours working on something crafty

*** I adore time with me, myself and I.

*** I am terrified of the dark.

*** I get up very early but am NOT a morning person. Don't talk to me!

*** I am very emotional, cry easily but can also be EXTREMELY hateful. (I need to work on that, sorry!)

*** I have a lot of faith and cannot live without GOD.

EIGHT WAYS TO WIN ME OVER:

*** Don't EVER say anything negative about God.

*** Show Respect for not only me but those around you.

*** Be yourself, I want to know the real you!

*** Don't use the F-Word, it is ugly.

*** Absolutely, under no circumstance be a racist. We are all created equal. After all, God chose our race, our country and birth parents for us. Don't think for a moment you are any better than anyone else!!!

*** Laugh, I am a goof ball, just roll with it :)

*** Go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's with me and please don't rush me through the scrapbook aisles...

*** Don't talk behind my back, if you have something to say, let me know. Whether it is positive or negative, I'd rather hear it to my face.

SEVEN THINGS I THINK A LOT:

*** That I need to lose so much weight.

*** What bills need to be paid?

*** About my Dad.

*** Did I take something out for supper?

*** How much I love Chris and my boys.

*** How tired I am...if only my body would allow me to sleep.

*** About my friends that mean so much to me.

SIX THINGS I DO BEFORE BEDTIME:

*** Hug my boys and tell them how much I love them!

*** Put my jammies on.

*** Go potty, brush my teeth.

*** Lock the doors.

*** Fluff up my pillows

*** Pray

FIVE PEOPLE THAT MEAN A LOT TO ME:

*** God, Jesus

*** Chris - my wonderful husband

*** Austin and Aaron - my two amazing sons!

*** My family - each and every one of you!!

*** My fabulous friends - Rock On!

FOUR THINGS I AM WEARING RIGHT NOW:

*** Bear Country Market shirt

*** glasses

*** a smile

*** wedding ring

THREE SONGS I LISTEN TO A LOT:

*** Mamma Mia Soundtrack (I know,it's more than three!)

*** Whatever is on my favorite radio station, KGBX 105.9

*** The CD that plays over and over (and over!) at work.

TWO THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:

*** To make sure my friends and family KNOW Christ and have their places secured in Heaven.

*** To make a positive impact on someone's life.

ONE CONFESSION I HAVE:

*** I spend way too much time on this computer :)


Now that I have filled in my countdown, let me know what you think (there's a comment space for a reason!) Also, I would love to hear from you and know what your countdown would consist of. Email me or create a blog...it is fun and addicting!

Until next time,
Tammy