Day 112

Nick was bored (his PS3 broke yesterday, BUMMER!!) and couldn't find anything to do & couldn't find anything to eat so he asked if he could bake a cake.  YES!!!!  I supervised him & he made it all by himself.  I ended up icing it for him.  Didn't take a pic of the finished cake 'cause we ate it too quick. 

Day 111

BANQUET!!!

We've been waiting for this day for months!  This is Bethel's version of Prom.  Every year, the Senior class plans a fancy dinner and activities for the entire high school.  This year, it's dinner at Julia's, bouncing at the Sky Zone & then back to the school for a video scavenger hunt.  

Becca  got out of school at 11:45 so she could make her 12:30 hair appointment.  Then, we painted her nails & got her ready.  We got to the school at 4pm, the appointed time.  Last year there was at least a half hour before they left to take pics.  So, I didn't take a whole lot of pics at home.  Of course, this year, they had NO TIME for pics.  I grabbed a couple of quick shots but this of Becca & Zach is awful!!!  In a hurry & they were facing into the sun.  <sigh>

The only full length shot I got was part of the group shot.  <sigh again>  next year, it'll be better!!!  Since there will only be 3 Seniors, I hope they let the Juniors help plan!!!

The kids had a blast at the sky zone.  I was there when they got back so I could help w/the video scavenger hunt.  It was soooo much fun!!  They had a list of 20 things they had to do & I had to take pics or video of them doing it.  I had a great group that wasn't the LEAST BIT EMBARRASSED to act like fools. (This pic was taken in the PITCH BLACK of the park.  I had no idea how it was going to look until it was taken.  Becca, JOIN THE GROUP!!  LOL) 

Day 110

He did it again!!!  At least the clothes were dirty this time.  He has a perfectly comfy bed.  WHY????

Day 109

Tonite was the sports "banquet".  For some reason, it was downgraded to a "tea".  Who's ever heard of a sports tea??  I HATE these things.  Waned to pretend I forgot it.  But, Nick wanted to go.  So, we went.  Stopped at Dairy Queen for yummy dinner first.  There was some rain & tornado warnings but nothing too looked too serious where we were.

Well, Scott & Nick were helping put the tables away afterwards.  Becca & I walked outside & it was SCARY looking!!!  I yelled at Scott to grab Nick so we could get out of there before the storm hit.  Stupid idea.  We should have stayed until the storm blew over.  We got caught in HEAVY rain & HAIL!!!  Was a little scary driving.  By the time we got past Bethalto, the sun was out again.  Then it rained, sun, rain, sun, rain.  Let up a bit when we got home!!  Rained & stormed the rest of the night but no power outages of funnel cloud!!

Day 108

This is a picture of the exact amount of potato pearls that it takes to make a "family" serving of instant spuds.  While I worked for the school, I got addicted to potato pearls.  They are the BEST instant 'taters & NOTHING that is sold commercially compares.  I've tried everywhere to find them.  Finally, Scott found a bulk foods company out of ALASKA that was willing to ship to a non-business address.  The pearls are NOT CHEAP but I can't even eat "real" potatoes anymore.  It has to be these little bits of heaven.

Scott wanted to learn how to make them so, if I'm ever out of town again, he can make some.  2.5 cups water, 2.5 cups milk, .25 cups of butter & 1.5 teaspoons of salt.  And THIS MUCH potato pearls.  For the record, Scott is the one who wanted this to be my picture of the day.  LOL

Day 107

Saddest day of the weekend, going home day.  I had so much fun w/these girls; hate to say good bye.  We got up & Sherri left first.  Longest drive!!!  Then we all went to breakfast.  I got to meet the famous Josh!  Stuffed myself beyond words!!  I was soooo tired by the time I got on the road.  My GPS took me thru the heart of Indianapolis.  That was under CONSTRUCTION!!!  Argh!!!  Lost about 45 minutes.  Finally got to IL & took a LONG rest at the Wendy's!  "Lost" even MORE time 'cause my GPS thinks that the speed limit in IL is 70 when it's only 65.  Finally made it home about 6:30. 

Somehow, in my picture taking I missed pics of Robin, Chelsea & Traci!!!  How'd that happen??  Can't wait for next year.  Utah in the fall doesn't look good :(

Day 106

today was Jennifer's surprise baby shower.  The real surprise when she didn't even guess.  Not even when she walked into the room & we were all standing there staring at her.  She noticed US, not the decorations!!  She was so funny!!  She got tons of cute things.  Mostly green & mostly jungle themed including a GORGEOUS quilt that Mary made for her!! 

Making a PSE collage takes a WHOLE lot of work!!!

Day 105

Happy Friday from Palooza!!!  Unfortunately, Joanne didn't make it :(  But, we're having a total BLAST!!!!  So much fun with such great people!!!  One of the knitting club that the girls met last year took this picture for us.  Now, if only it warms up & the rain holds off!!!

Day 104

Well, the best laid plans.......  Joanne's flight got cancelled last night.  New plan; I will pick her up from the NEW flight at the airport this morning!!  Well, she got bumped from THAT flight.  She's gonna try to get another flight into either Indianapolis or Ft. Wayne & one of us 'paloozers will pick her up there.  I quickly loaded the car w/all our stuff & headed out about 8:30am!!

Made pretty good time & managed to stay awake without too many problems.  Got to the inn & learned that Joanne wasn't able to get on any flights today :(  She had one more shot that would get to Ft Wayne on Friday morning!!!  Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Day 103

I'm getting ready to head out for a girls stamping weekend!  About 15 of us are heading to extreme Northeast Indiana to a State Park for 4 days of stamping, laughing, eating and girl fun!!!  The TINY box is Joanne's stuff, all the rest is mine.  Joanne's supposed to fly into StL tonite & then we'll drive up together first thing tomorrow morning!!!  I'm soooo excited!!!  Gonna be a BLAST!!!

Day 102

I have no idea what these flowers are.  They were under the holly bushes at my MILs house.  I thought they were kinda pretty......

Day 101

Tulip tree.  So pretty.  Not damaged by the cold weather this year!

More pics on the way

I can never seem to keep up.  Life's crazy right now.  Maybe this next week when Scott's back to work (but still home) I can get caught up.  Whew.  Whirlwind but FUN!!!

Day 100

A squirrel running around my back yard.  Well, actually on the power lines in my back yard.  Silly Squirrel!

Day 99

This is Jack & his girlfriend Trixie.  Actually we don't know what her name is.  In fact, we don't know for sure she's a GIRL!!!  LOL  She's just a cat that wanders the neighborhood.  She obviously has a home and appears to be well cared for.  She's just not licensed and has no collar.  When she comes around, Jack goes nuts.  Trixie sits outside the doors & windows & growls.  It must be love, right??

Day 98

Went out to run some errands (and realized I hadn't left the house in 2 days!!  Plus side of having another driver!!!) and saw these tiny petals on my car.  I thought they looked so pretty.  Of course, they're probably whats making me sneeze too!

Day 97

My cat is a THIEF!!!  See that bag in front of him; he STOLE it from my s/b tote.  I have extra bags in there in case I need a trash bag or something else.  He stock his little nose into the pocket, dragged the bag out & over to the window & searched thru it like he thought that was where I kept the tuna.  Then, later on, he stole ANOTHER bag.  He did lose interest in them fairly quickly.  Silly Kitty!

Day 96

It was very weird this morning to get up and watch the kids leave for school.  It may change my whole morning routine.  I may stop getting up before them.  I might sleep in.  Nah.  I have informed Nick that Becca is the driver.  Whatever SHE says GOES!!!  If she makes him do something goofy & stupid, I'LL deal with her when she gets home!!!  But, while she's driving, he will listen to her!!!

They made it to school & home again.  I think I'm going to like having an extra driver!

Day 95

SHE DID IT!!!!!

I was so very nervous for her!  I was afraid she'd be afraid & mess up.  I was worried about how embarrassing it would be for her mommy to drive her to school when everyone knew she was late 'cause she was taking her test.  She did great.  The DMV people are alot nicer than they were when Scott & I were young!!!  The instructor who took her out was way cool.  Even gave her sunglasses to help her w/the glare!!  I'm soooo proud of her.  And a little freaked!  When did I get old enough to have a kid that drives?!?!?

After the DMV, she drove me home  & took off for school.  Talk about freaky, watching your baby drive away.  I did NOT cry, although I wanted to!!!  She called me when she got to school.  She said it was weird for her too; first time she'd been in a car ALONE and had no one to talk to!!!

Day 94

The day before she becomes a licensed driver.  I made her go fill the car up.  While she was filling the tank, I took this pic of her.  I think it's a great pic of her!!  The red glow behind her is the traffic light.  WHY it's so big, I have NO IDEA.  LOL

Day 93

I unpacked my stuff & left my luggage out to go back downstairs (although I'll need it again in 2 weeks for 'Palooza!!!)  And, being a cat, Jack couldn't resist checking it out.  He's such a dork!!

Day 92

Becca & I started for home this morning.  As it turns out, if we would have gotten an earlier start, we MIGHT have been able to get Becca's license today.  We were told by the DMV that she couldn't get it until 4/3 (Sunday) so we had a plan to get it on 4/5, when they reopened.  Well, Ryan, who did Driver's Training with Becca was able to go and get his license today.  There was no way we could make it in time.  Becca's bummed!!

So, we stopped to potty.  In trying to get back on the highway, I ended up on the Business Loop & it took about 5-6 miles before we got back.  All of a sudden, this giant rock formation showed up!  I'd never seen it before because the dozens of times we've driven to Springfield, we've never gotten off the highway!!  We pulled over & looked like TOTAL idiots I'm sure, taking pics of a cliff that these people see every day.  LOL

Day 91

While driving the back way to Nancy's, I discovered this cool log cabin.  After dinner on Friday, we headed out for some pics.  It was a gorgeous day & we got some really nice pics.  Fun way to waste time in Bolivar!

Day 90

The best part of going to Mom's?  Getting to see Kevin & Missy's kids.  I spent time with Nancy & Marvin & Missy in the morning.  We just sat around talking about nothing.  Nancy showed me some of the quilts she has made.  Then, we all went for a late lunch at Smith's.  YUMMMY!!!  Afterwards, we checked back in with mom & dad and headed out to Kevin & Missy's house.  Meghan was getting ready for gymnastics, Ryan was watching a movie, Matthew was doing his homework & playing on the computer.  Marissa just sat around talking & texting.  LOL 

Meghan wanted me to take her picture.  She went out & played on the trampoline.  I got some cool action shots of her.  When we came back in (it was cold & spitting rain!) she wanted to see the pics.  After she looked, I just took this shot of her.  Love the way it turned out!!!

Day 89

More SNOW????  They actually predicted we'd get some measurable snow.  This is what we got.  I gotta say, even I am glad we didn't get much.  as you can see by the top left, the sun was out & this snow wasn't here for long!  Good thing too; Becca & I took off for an impromptu trip to my parents in Bolivar.  She wanted some more driving experience & my Aunt was begging us to come down & visit some time.  We tossed some clothes into the car & took off.  Nick got a new video game & was more than happy to stay home playing his games.  Scott was happy to have me out of his hair.  And, after a full month of him at home, I was ready for a break too!!!

Day 88

Oops, missed a day.  Sorry.  But, I'm not gonna stress about it.  I'm TRYING to take a pic a day but.....what's a blogger to do.

Sometimes, your kids do something that reminds you that you DO share DNA with them.  Scott opened the fridge to find the chips inside.  Seems like Becca was being scatterbrained & put them in there.  I told Scott he better check the pantry to make sure she didn't put the milk in there.  LOL  She's just like her mom!!!  (Which, unfortunately, I got from MY mom!)

Day 86

Looks like the trees survived the snow.  It really was all melted by this morning.  Boy, the weather is really weird this year!  I'm guessing we should hit 80 by Tuesday & a blizzard on Thur??

Day 85

So remember oh, TWO DAYS AGO when I spoke of the joys of spring??  Spring snow is NOT one of them!!!  Oh, it was very, very pretty but COME ON, it's nearly APRIL!!!!  Hope the plants & trees will be ok.....

Day 84

OMG, how much higher is gas going to go???  It's killing me!!!  At least Becca will have her license soon & it'll cut down on some of the trips back & forth to South Roxana.  Or not.  Once she can drive, she'll probably want to hang w/her friends who all live at least as far as South Roxana. 

Day 83

Why oh why oh why does this cat feel the need to sleep ANYWHERE BUT his bed???  And, it never seems to be on DIRTY laundry, only clean.  <sigh>  I didn't rewash these since A) they were Nick's & he's always covered w/cat hair anyway (from picking him up & rolling on the floor w/him), even tho, he's supposedly allergic to cats and 2) he's primarily on the jeans; cat hair will shake off jeans!!  LOL

Day 82

The weather has been SO NICE for the last few days.  Actually, it was HOT on Monday but nice & spring like on Tuesday & today.  My neighbors flowers are blooming & maybe, just maybe, spring is finally on it's way!