It's Goo Time!

We made another trip to the river last Sunday. That made it 3 weeks in a row for us! I love going here! This is a pic of Jacob, Kelsea, Libby, Sierra (Kelsea's friend), Katie, and Samantha (Billy's daughter). The water was pretty low, and everyone is kind of crouched down. It's fairly clear water. I don't mind going in this water at all! It's rocky, tho, so you have to wear shoes. But isn't it pretty? The river is named Current River, and aptly so. There is a swift current running through this river, and if you get out in the middle, it can knock you over! This river is famous for float trips. People get on an innertube and just float down the river. A lot of them even put a cooler on a tube and away they go! I did a float trip when the kids were little, but no more for me. I'm perfectly content to just play! Everyone had a nice time. We always put our chairs in the water and just let the waves from the boats rush over us. So cooling and refreshing! Audrey brought along a huge umbrella, and I held it and Dakota and she took an hour nap. Right there in the river with everyone playing and splashing! lol I don't know if we'll get to go back again this year, but we sure had fun the 3 times we did get to go!

It's Goo time! We're leaving Sunday and heading up to Iowa. Can't wait! We're going to go to Denny's dad's house and start packing it up, so we'll spend the first 3 days there. Then on Thurs., Colleen and I are taking a train and heading to Chicago for the Goo Goo Doll Concert. It's finally that time! I'm so excited! I'm coming to see ya, Johnny! lol The concert in March was awsome, and I expect this one to be just as good. It's been a long tour for them--15 months! I figured I'd better go to this one if I wanted to see them again, because they may not have another tour for 3-4 years, and by that time I'll be pushing 60! lol Of course, they'll be pushing 50, so maybe it will still be doable for all! lol

Well, as per usual when planning a trip to Iowa, we had car trouble. At least this time it happened BEFORE we left, and instead of while we were there, which is what happened 15 months ago with the Grand Am. Yep! It broke down just an hour outside of Davenport. We were able to make it on in, but had to leave it there and find another way home. Then another time on the way home, the same Grand Am vapor locked in rush-hour St. Louis traffic. Tell me that wasn't fun!!! We got it home that time, tho. But our newer car started acting up on Tues. Denny, of course, said he didn't notice anything. Why am I always the lucky one???! It was just turning over slow, but it did turn over. Libby, the kids and I went shopping in Sikeston ( 40 miles away), but again, we made it home. Well, we get up the next morning, and it's deader than a doornail! So we have to have a tow truck haul it off to dealership where we have our car serviced, to the tune of $80! Isn't that awful? 17 miles away for $80! So Denny talks to the shop guy and he's just guessing that we have a manifold problem. Could run $400-$500! Yikes! How typical, right? Well, we lucked out. It was just the battery! lol But that cost an arm and a leg. $150! Naturally, it didn't take a regular WM battery--it had to be an AC Delco. And it doesn't go under the hood--it's under the back seat. I guess I'm out of the loop, 'cause I've never heard of such a thing! lol And it's not just a simple hook up--I guess there's all kinds of wires and such hooked to it, so you have to have a mechanic do it. It's a conspiracy, I tell ya! lol They make these cars so complicated you can't do even the simplest task anymore. But what are you gonna do about it, huh? Considering things, it was a cheap and easy fix! So now we're road ready once again to make the trip up to Iowa and to see my beloved Goos. I'll fill you in when I get back!

The River

This is Dakota and me at the river. I love to go here! Libby and her family, Ryan and his family, and Mom came with Denny and I. The river has a rocky bottom, so you have to wear shoes. I'm a tenderfoot, so I'd never be able to do it without shoes! The water was a little cool, but as always happens, you get used to it. Dakota loved it. Can you tell? lol This place has a nice picnic area with grills, so we cooked hot dogs. Cheap lunch! lol After we got done swimming, we stopped at the Snappy Tomato and had some pizza. OMG! It was delicious! At least to me, since I haven't had pizza for so long! lol It was a great way for us all to get together and spend the day. I hope we'll be able to do it at least one more time before the kids go back to school the 16th!

The Weight is Over

That's what I named the weight loss journal I made. I like how it turned out. I made it at the crop last week. You'd think with all the paper I have, I wouldn't have to buy another piece! But not the case! This paper is from the Signature line, and I hadn't bought any of this particular paper yet, so there you go! Brandi challenged me to use something I already had, but I'm weak. I can't pass up a cool piece of paper! lol I started Weight Watchers on May 15, so I need to start from there and fill in my weight. I weigh everyday and keep track of it, so that won't be a problem. Cindy told me to take pics of myself, and to measure, but did listen? NO! Not til 2 months later and I was down 1 pants size! But that's ok. It's never too late. I have a long way to go, so there will be plenty of pics and measurements to compare. Cindy does this and suggested I do it, too. I can see where it will be a handy tool to have! Thanks, Cindy!

I'm Bummed!

Well, today was weigh-in day. I gained! 1.6 pounds! OK--the only thing I did "wrong" yesterday, was finish off Kelsea's hot dog wrapped in a tortilla. I should be able to have that, shouldn't I??? Evidently, not! So there are some things I could work on this week--not eating after 9 p.m. I'm a late-night snacker anymore! Lay off the chips--love those things! Even tho I account for the points, I guess it's something I'd better stay away from--especially afer 9! I need to drink more water. I'm only getting in about 4 a day. Excercise. UGH! I HATE the thought of that. I don't want to sweat! But it should be done, I guess. I'm getting tired of screwing around with this diet--oops! new way of life--stuff! I'm getting the benefit of my blood sugar being in control, which is awsome. But I want the benefit of losing weight, too! You know, the whole thing is, is that I've given up most of my bad eating habits. I stay away from the bagels with cream cheese, the nachos, lasagna, pizza, pancakes, ball-park food, fair food--funnel cakes--I eat TONS of veggies, chicken til it's coming out of my ears--but I'm really not tired of it yet. I account for damn near every morsel that passes through these lips. IMHO, the weight should just be melting off! I wanted so badly to be down 20 for the concert. I'm still going to try as hard as I can to get as close to that goal as I can. Drink more water, lay off the chips, no eating after 9--8 if i can--and sweat. There goes my hair do!

Freak Out!

This is Ryan and Dakota on July 4th. She's the spittin' image of him when he was little! They're both a couple of cuties!

OMG! I about had a fit last night! I made my hotel reservations a couple of months ago for my trip in August. I'll be going to Davenport, and from there, Colleen and I are going to be taking the train to Chicago to see the Goo Goo Dolls. Denny is going with me to IA, but not to Chicago, so he needs a place to stay while I'm gone. We decided to add 3 more days to our stay, since we have comp coupons for the Isle of Capri. So we'll essentially be staying up there for free. Love those comps! But anyway, after I got done making the reservations for the 3 additional days, I had them check to make sure my original days were ok. Can you believe they were cancelled???!!!! I don't know what the heck happened, but I told the guy we have to get them back! Geez! So as it stands right now, I'm confirmed for 6 days. But I'll be calling VIP services to make sure there are no more snafu's! Could you imagine going to the hotel expecting to stay for 6 days, then they tell you the middle 3 days have been cancelled and they have no other rooms? That would be just my luck!

OH, I almost forgot about WW! I did lose .6 pounds this week, making it a total loss of 13.4 pounds! I was thrilled with even that little bit of a loss, especially since it was "that time" and last month I had gained 3 pounds! I'm like the turtle--slow but sure!

Happy belated 4th of July! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday! This is our crew--minus me, of course. Someone had to take the picture! lol Denny, Kelsea, Katie, Audrey and Dakota are in the front row, and Jacob, Libby, Billy, Mom, Uncle Jim and Ryan are in the back row. We had a nice evening BBQ at Billy and Libby's that night. The kids finished off the evening by entertaining us with their fireworks. A great time was had by all!

Today was weigh-in day. I'm happy to report that I lost 1.8 pounds this week, making it 12.8 pounds lost so far. I got the coolest thing, tho. A points finder calculator! I got it at my meeting today, and tonight Denny and I went to WM and went nuts in the food dept. calculating points on a bunch of stuff. This is what a person does for entertainment when you live in a little town!

LOL I will say, it's well worth the money. When you sign up, you get a cardboard slide rule thingy to calculate food points. It's a pain, but necessary. Check it out. It's only $10 at the meeting. Money well spent!

The Streets are a Little Safer Tonight

Here's the girls doing what they love--shopping! They've been little clothes-horses since they were tiny little things. Not that I had anything to do with that! lol They loved getting clothes the way most kids love getting toys or candy! Denny took this at the outlet mall. I had to go to my WW meeting, and he went shopping with the girls! They all had fun!

I lost 3 pounds this week. I'm so glad! I was beginning to think I was going to gain back everything I lost! I gained 3 pounds a couple of weeks ago, which I'm blaming on my period. I have no clue why I gained 1.2 pounds the next week. So I have the remaining 1.2 pounds to lose, and then I'll be back to my 12.2 weight loss, and can go from there. I eat tons of veggies, and grilled chicken for the most part. Hope I don't get sick of them! I work in Subway, fajitas, and Chinese once in a while, too, but for the most part it's chicken and veggies. By my way of thinking, I should be down 4o pounds, since that's what I've been eating! lol I know I didn't gain it all at once, but I'd sure like to lose it all at once, and be done with it! Guess that's not the right attitude, is it? :) OK, I know. It's a "lifestyle change". I can accept that. But I still wish it would come off faster!

OMG! Denny and I stopped at WM after he got off work, and on the way home, there were these crazy people in the car ahead of us. They were driving all over the road--the passenger kept opening his door like he was going to jump out--the driver stopped so fast the tires were smoking. I'm thinking they were fighting--and probably drinking and/or doing drugs--and he was threatening to jump out, then at some point was trying to piss her off and was hitting the breaks. What a couple of idiots! I ended up calling 911! I was afraid the way they were going, there was going to be an accident. And I didn't want any part of it! I was transferred to 3 different depts. before I got to the right place. Zenita's the only one that's going to know where this is, but I finally got in touch with the right dept. at Pyletown exit. Believe it or not, the state trooper was right there pulled off on the side when we all went past him. The crazy car was behaving themselves at that moment, so the trooper didn't know there was a problem. He pulls back out on 25 and decides to head back up to Dexter, 'cause I saw him turn up that way. I'm thinking--shit! You need to be headed toward Bernie! But the dispatcher took info from me, and I told them what I was driving and that there was a van ahead of me (he passed me earlier), and the idiots were in front of the van. I'm almost to Bernie by this time, and see the flashing lights in my rear view mirror, and pull off on the side. He came barreling on past me, and pulled those idiots over. Thank God! They really did look like drunken junkies! So the streets are safe from them for tonight anyway! Just call me Vigilante Pam! Have phone/will use it! lol Hope you all have a safe and happy 4th!

He's An All-Star!

He loves baseball! This is his 3rd year playing. He's so focused when he's out there. It's funny, 'cause he's such a goofy little kid! lol I'm not up on all the baseball terms, so I may goof this up. But hopefully you'll follow me! Last week he hit a grand slam! I just happened to be talking to Libby when this happened. He brought 2 or 3? guys in, and he had to stop on 3rd. Everyone was hooping and hollaring! He is a great player, and we're so proud of him! He was chosen to be on the All-Star team for the 2nd year in a row! Go Jacob!!! I think the All-Stars start after the regular league is over. Be watching for him to end up playing with the Cardinals! :)

Dakota on Memorial Day

She's a little live wire, this one! This was taken at Libby's house Memorial Day weekend. Look at that smile and those cute little teeth! She's so busy these days! When she comes over to the house, I put up nearly everything! For some reason, "no" isn't in her vocabulary! lol It's just easier to put things up than to keep chasing her. I have a small rack with videos and CD's on it. Her favorite thing to do is take them one by one and hand them to me. I always tell her what a good girl she is, and she's so proud of herself! lol So the house is completely torn up while she's there! lol She had done a real number on my living room carpet, too. Between throwing up on it and leaking bottles, it was looking pretty bad. But Denny and I cleaned it this afternoon. It looks beautiful again! I got this tip from Mom for pretreating spots--spray them with plain blue Windex, and scrub with a scrub brush. Every single spot came out! Thanks, Mom! Good thing I have my own shampooer, too, 'cause she's going to be spending the night with us Friday. Yikes! There goes the carpet! lol

Well, I haven't been doing so well on Weight Watchers. Bummer! Sorry, Peggie. I'm supposed to be your inspiration! I'll get back on track, tho. 2 weeks ago I gained 3 pounds, due to my period, I guess. Don't really know why I gained 1.5 at this weigh in. I've been eating veggies and grilled chicken til it's coming out of my ears! But my blood sugar is finally in range, so it's not a total loss. I am getting that benefit. But I want to lose weight, too, damn it! I'm hoping it's not the insulin. The dr. told me people can gain weight when they're on it. That will be just my friggin' luck! I'll let you know how next week goes.

I colored my hair again. It's really red this time. I love it! Libby and Katie did for me. It needs some highlights, tho, so I picked up the stuff for them to do it. They don't know it yet, tho! lol I'll eventually post a pic so you can see for yourself! :)

A New Me

I'm back! I finally figured out how to get into my blog! Naturally, I have to go about it "bass-ackwards", but at least I can get into now! I'm so excited! So much has been going on and happening since I haven't been able to post. So let me fill you in! First of all, you know what a HUGE Goo Goo Dolls fan I am! I got to see them in concert in March of this year! It was so awsome! My friend, Colleen went with me, and we had a blast. I've converted her! lol And guess what? We're going to see them again in August in Chicago!!! I never dreamed I'd be able to see them once, much less twice in the same year! So I'm gearing up for the Chicago show! Keep your fingers crossed the weather cooperates, since it's an outdoor show!
This month is our last recipe for the swap. Twelve months is a long committment. Don't know if I'll do a long one again. The book looks pretty neat for the most part. There are a few zinger pages in there. Not mine, of course! lol Just one person's in particular. I don't know why people sign up for these things and don't commit. Or follow directions. Or do a crappy job! You may think I'm being too critical, but I'm not. This person is capable of doing nice pages, because she's done a few good ones. But for the most part, her pages are just thrown together with a sticker stuck here and there, and her pages look like crap. While the rest of us have taken the time to do nice, thought-out pages. I'm just glad this is over!
I started Weight Watchers, thus the new me! This is my 5th week, and I've lost 12.2 pounds! I'm thrilled! I want to be down 20 more pounds by August for the concert. I just know Johnny will see me and will be so impressed! LOL I figured I'd better knock some of this weight off if I'm going to go head to head with the younger people at the concert. So watch out--this old lady's on a roll! LOL
Here's a pic of the grandkids and me taken on my birthday, June 4. Cute kids, huh? They're all growing up so fast! Katie just turned 14, Kelsea at 12 is our fashionista, Jacob at 9 is our Baseball All Star player, and Dakota is 15 months old and into everything. Life is good!

I'm Still Here!

I can't believe it! I'm in! I truely haven't been purposely neglecting my blog. I couldn't get into it! Periodically I'd try, and would just give up. I had switched over to the new Blogger and got locked out of my blog. Hopefully I'll be able to start blogging again!

Tons of things have gone on since I last blogged. Dakota turned a year old in March, and she's walking all over the place! What a goofy little kid! :) Katie was having problems with her band teacher, and her grades were falling. She finally was able to quit band and her grades are all A's and B's now. Go Katie! It's pitiful how a shitty teacher can have such an effect on a kid, and the admin won't do anything about it! Kelsea is our little socialite. She's discovered IM'ing and hogs my computer when she comes over! Baseball season has started, and Jacob's having practices and tryouts for position. He's wanting 1st base. Good luck, Jacob!

I started Weight Watchers Tuesday. Way past due, but we'll see what happens. My friend Cindy inspired me to start. She's lost 30 pounds on WW! Yea, Cindy! I'll keep you posted--provided I can get back in here--on how I'm doing!

More great news! I may possibly be going to another Goo Goo Dolls concert with my GOOd buddy Colleen in August! Hope it works out! I'll be calling the Pavillion tomorrow to see if seating is reserved. If not, we won't be going. Too many young kids to compete with! lol I'll keep you posted on this, too!

Gotta run! Hope I'm able to get back in here. I'm working on a new recipe page for the swap and it's almost done, so I want to post it for you!

Hope to see you soon!

Counting Down

We'll see if this works! I've been having all kinds of trouble since I downloaded Internet Explorer 7. Don't you hate it when it's recommended you download something, and then have all kinds of problems with it? It seems like it never works the same! But I think I've found a way around it!

I just love bath-tubby pics! I couldn't get her to keep the wash cloth out of her mouth long enough to get a picture of her! lol Everything goes in the mouth! lol

I'm counting down the days to the concert! March 3 can't get here fast enough! I'm hoping the weather cooperates. But no matter--I'll go by dogsled if I have to! lol If you haven't heard any of their music, or don't know who they are, just go to www.googoodolls.com You can listen to their music and find out all kinds of things about them. And if you want to drool over them like I do, just check out their pic at the top of my blog! LOL

Ryan and Audrey had to take Dakota to the ER tonight. I hate it when the little ones get hurt! Audrey was moving her crib from their bedroom to her bedroom, and I guess it was in pieces. In trying to put it together, a piece fell on Dakota and knocked her into something and now she has a big goose egg on the top of her little head! Poor baby! She's ok, thank God, but they just have to keep an eye on her. Audrey is making an appointment with her regular dr. tomorrow, so he can check her out. Denny's off tomorrow, so we're going to stop over and see her after his dr. appt. Grandpa says we have to stop and pick her up a little get well gift, tho. I think he likes her a little bit! lol

Just for Me

Well, I tried posting a bath-tubby pic of Dakota, but I got one of those "we've encountered a problem and need to shut down" things. Bummer! I tried blogging the other night and got the same results, so I gave up on it. I just downloaded Internet Explorer 7 the other day, and have had this problem a lot! It seems like everytime I download a new version of something, there are kinks to work out. Hopefully I'll be able to download some pics soon. Hopefully I won't type all of this for nothing! lol

Lots of things have been going on, but I won't bombard you with everything at once. But I will tell you my most exciting news--I get to see the Goo Goo Dolls! That's my boys up there in my banner! I just love these guys! I never thought they'd ever come close to where I was, so I didn't think seeing them would ever become a reality. But I was cruising one of their sites a few weeks ago, and was looking at their calendar. Lo and behold, I swear the heavens opened up and shined a big, bright light on March 3, showing that they're playing in Moline, IL at the Mark! That's actually almost 500 miles from where I live. BUT....Moline, IL is right across the river from Davenport, IA, where I was born and raised! So we're making a trip home! I'm so excited, and still can't believe I get to go! I went ahead and bought 2 tickets, 'cause someone was going with me. The first person I called was my oldest and dearest friend, Colleen. She immediately said she'd love to go with me. What a friend! So I burned a bunch of their songs to a CD, and sent it to her so she could get familiar with their music. She thinks I'm such a crack head! LOL So that's my big "just for me" happy news! Now--what does a 52 year old wear to a rock concert???!

My Dream

Isn't this just the coolest stove you've ever seen???!!! I love it and I want it! It's a 1951 O'Keefe and Merritt--Model #5850! ( Check it out and see a bunch of other cool retro stoves). I sound like Ralphie in Christmas Story, trying to sell his folks on the Red Rider BB gun! lol For years now, I've been wanting a stove with 2 ovens. Mostly for the holidays. It's hard to cook the turkey, dressing, and green bean casserole in one little oven! I actually used to have an old stove with 2 ovens back when Denny and were first married. But I was too young to appreciate it, naturally! So last night I was googling, and came across this--the mother of all stoves, and I want it so bad I can taste it! It'll never happen, tho. The place that refurbishes these starts them out at $3500 and go as high as $12,000! So I can only dream..... :)

For Peggie and Zenita

Happy New Year! So how was your holiday? Ours was great! I love the holidays! I love the shopping, making the gifts, I love how crazy the stores are! And then I love when it's over! lol I've been busy since Sept./Oct. when I was getting ready for the craft show. After the show, I went straight into holiday mode. Then...the day after Christmas was Kelsea's birthday, so we took her shopping the day after, when Denny was off. We took the 3 oldest kids to the mall 1 1/2 hours away, and Kelsea got her Build A Bear. Then it was off to Chuck E Cheese. Their pizza hasn't improved since the last time I went to one! lol But the kids had a blast. Jacob kept saying it was the best day ever! After that we headed back home, and stopped at 2 Wal-Marts, so the kids could spend their gift cards. So they did indeed have a great day.

Now to the week-end, which is New Year's Eve. Ryan and his band had gigs Fri., Sat., and Sun. I ended up with little Miss Dakota from Sat. night, til Monday around noon. I enjoyed her, but as I always say...she wears me out! lol She was permantly attached to me, and wouldn't let me out of her sight! Poor Denny, she wouldn't have one thing to do with him! She'd play "at" him while she was on my lap, and he was sitting on the couch, but that was it. She'd cry if he tried to hold her! So needless to say, I was glad when it was nap time! lol

So...Dakota leaves Mon. noon, and the next day I get Libby's kids! She got sick and went to the ER Mon, and ended up back there early Tues. morn. They kept her, because she was dehydrated, and her blood pressure was extremely low, and she had an awful stomach flu, along with UTI. Mom dropped them off to me on Tues. noon, and I kept them thru Fri. morning, when I took them to school. But...Katie was sick, too. So I took her to the Dr., and she's at the tail end of the stomach flu! She's fine now, tho. So Libby got home Wed. night, but I thought she should rest up a day or so before having them back. After I took them to school, I stopped at Hardee's before going home. Bad mistake, and won't be making that one again! I had the biscuits and gravy (and a sausage and cheese biscuit!), and orange juice, and got sicker than a dog! Now, I'm not sure if it was if it was the food, or if I got some of Libby's and Katie's stuff, but I was sick all day and night Friday, and didn't feel good at all Sat. I did go to the crop, tho, Zenita! Probably should have stayed home, but I didn't want to lose the $10 I paid for the crop. You know how that is! lol I was still feeling a bit iffy this morning, but I'm fine now! Good thing, too, 'cause today is Denny's 58th birthday. It would have been a shame for us to have to stay home!

I took Denny out for lunch at a nice Italian restaurant in downtown Cape, called Bella Italia. Great food! Then we went to an antique mall 2 doors down, and bought an old cedar chest, an old piano stool, and a red water pump. I always wanted one of those! And the best part---25% off! Love a sale!

So that's what's been going on around here. I'm ready for things to slow down. I'm taking this month off and just chilling. I'll be helping Mom shell pecans. It's not a very big crop this year, so hopefully we'll get them done quick!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and stay away from the flu!