A collage for you

I got bored and decided to do a picture collage to amuse my blogger buddies. Here's the deal... You are in there. You might have to look hard, but everyone of you who have either commented on my blogs OR I know you read my blogs (and just dont comment) are somewhere in this collage. It's kind of like "Where's Waldo" hee hee. Some of you might even be in there twice, some of you I had to be very creative to get your picture. It's all so fun. I also have included pictures of my family and people who mean so much to me. Some of you, I dont have a picture..you know who you are. I Love you all :)

p.s. Brother Rick your head got chopped off, sorry (dancing with Brie)

Now if I have forgotten someone, you must speak up, cuz I wouldnt want to forget anyone.

Cally I was gonna copy one of your preganant belly pics, but decided against it, otherwise you'd be in there too :)

Now I'm starting to get worried that i will make someone feel bad if I havent included their photo....please dont be mad at me. I think the world of all of you who might have been accidently missed. MY memory doestn serve me the way it used to when I was young, Forgive me if i missed you. Epp

New blog..nothing too excitng

I think I've probably set a new record for the

number of days since I last blogged. (It's been 4)

I'll try to capture some highlights of those 4 days since I last wrote.

Friday i went out and did some browsing since I got the day off. It was fun to just go and stroll around the mall. I didnt really have a mission, just looking for a certain sweater that I never found cuz it wasnt at the mall. It was at Kohls. Dah

Friday afternoon we had to wish Brice goodbye until next time, I wish he could have stayed longer, but Restoration Hardware was calling his name. *sigh*

Friday night Mom and dad came over and brought pie (leftovers). I made some homemade Chix soup so we chowed on that, and then played "Battle of the sexes" Brie, mom and I smoked the guys (Rick, Chris, Dad and Gavin). There is no question who knows their stuff.

THE GIRLS FLAT OUT WON.

Saturday was a beautiful day. I think me and Brie did some more shopping in the afternoon. Megan came over for a visit, so that was fun, then she left for a date and Rick and I went to a movie. Rick accidently locked the keys in the car. So Mr. Christopher had to leave kelsey and Jeffs house and come to bale us out. Brie luckily had our van key...whew. (Thanks Chris, you got some hugh points for that!) WHOOP

Sunday, Another great day. Cant really think of what I did. Just hung out i guess.

Monday (Today). Started my day out by having coffee with my dear friend Coz. We talked for 3.5 hours and the time just flew by. I think we could talk all day, but we got most of our bases covered. I then went to get my hair cut, spur of the moment ramdomness. I think I like it, I just never like my hair so therefore it's hard to say I like it. But i guess it's ok. here's a picture of me in the car leaving the salon.... Looks kinda messy.

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Rick was able to return a favor to Chris and Brie today when he baled them out. They locked themselves out of their house....so now we kinda get the points. yip

We got to have Supper with Chris and Brie at their place tonight it was Yummy. It was a short visit, but very sweet....thanks guys.

My Birthday/Thanksgiving

What a Lovely Birthday/Thanksgiving I had. Thanks to my family for making me feel pretty darn special. We had a fun fun day a t Julie and Briad's house. The meal was scrumptious indeed. Brianna made me a birthday cake and I got lots of fun presents. The kids gave me the awesome Blanket throw (i got it wrapped around me in the picture) Brice picked it out from Restoration Hardware where he works. It's so warm and cozy. I Love it. Rick gave me 3 gift cards to all my favorite places...thanks honey. Brie and chris gave me a room fragrance thingy that i like alot. I got more giftcards, wizard of oz miniature dolls, and money from the other peeps. Mom and dad also gave me money. I cant wait to go shopping. Yay

OH...and the best thing is that I didnt get called into work. ( I was on-call today)

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Julie's Lovely Thanksgiving table

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Some of the kids playing a game.

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Tonight I got my final Birthday present..... I got a call from work asking me if I want to stay home tomorrow (Friday)..... DAHHHHHH

one more blog below....check it out

Brice is home

Brice is home for a short visit, but we are thankful to have him here if only for 2 days.

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WOW Brice doing some tricks on the skate board. No broken bones....this time

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We had friends over to hang out that haven't been here in a while. Hunter is giving Jenny a massage. Ryan was also over. It was just like old times. I miss that.

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Rick and the Kids took me out Wednesday night for a Birthday dinner at "West fire" We had a nice time, it was good to be all together. When we got home rick and the kids played some hoops out on the drive way. Brianna is "schooling" Chris in this picture.

Suet pudding

Yesterday me and Mom went for a little road trip. We went up to Redwing had lunch there and checked out a few stores. Then we headed over the River to Wisconsin and turned right down hwy 61. There are some pretty sights all the way back down to winona. We even saw some Eagles flying around the bluffs....pretty cool. Stopped and checked out a cool cemetary in Maiden Rock. (I have a thing for old cool looking cemetaries). It was fun, wasnt it mom.

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Me and my Momma hanging out some where on Hwy 61

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The bluffs somewhere on hwy 61. I think we missed the "change of colors", mom. We'll have to try again next year. Someones wedding kind of took priority this year.

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My mom made me some bread pudding and suet pudding for my Birthday, It's sooooo good, and no one else in my family will eat it so I get it all to myself. Thanks mom

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Hear ya go Cara

OK Cara, the "after picture" is here for you...nothing too exciting, It really breaks the room up, so I guess I like that. we'll see how long it lasts. Gavin says it has to stay this way atleast 3 days. I'm not sure what the significance of 3 days is but we'll go with it :)

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So It's Sunday and I got to start my day out by making Beans for a pot luck. Then I got to hold babies at church , we had 8 babies and 3 workers in the nursery today, It was fun though. They were all so good, only one of them could walk and he was a wild man, we spent most of the time using diversion tactics to try and keep him off the babies. He kept wanting to sit on Rilyn...funny. He needs to be moved to the toddler room but he's only like 10.5 month old, Just an early walker. Then from church I headed over to our youth minister's house for a pot luck/ meeting. That went well and was indeed a good time. I came home after that and played outside with Gavin and Rick. I threw Gavin the football a bunch of times while he pretended to be some Heisman Trophy winner or something. Then we shot baskets. I schooled him.

Rick and i got the outside Christmas lights up, not lit yet, but thought it would be nice to get it done while it's still nice outside. They are so pretty.

Welp I gotta go give Gavin a haircut now, then I suppose I'll make some supper. Later

A lazy Saturday

Brianna this is what happens when you take pictures of yourself

with my camera... HA

You are a cutie :)

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Rick and Gavin decided during half time of the Michigan/ Ohio game to rearrange the furniture... I had to bite my tongue,

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Just been a lazy day today, Rick and I did our Hy-vee breakfast this morning, then we picked up a few needed groceries. Came home, got Gav out of bed and made some cinnamon rolls, they were yummy. Then I sat down and tryed to figure out what pictures to use for our Christmas card. I think I have that done. Then I went to the mall, I needed a few things and I just felt like bombing around a bit. I saw Cindy at her "Crystal notions" Kiosk, she is a busy girl these days, lots of peeps looking at her stuff, so I didnt get to visit. No big plans for the rest of the day, although Rick and I might go out for Chinese later, we'll see if we still feel like it then.

ok, well I better go....Later dawgs

My arms hurt

I have nothing of great importance to write about but it's not my mama's birthday anymore so I thought I should atleast do a small update. Lets see..... I have 2 very sore and achy arms. So I

could whine about that.

Yesterday I got shots. A DPT and Flu shot one in each arm. I have always been sensitive to the Tetnus shot, I usually react with alot of pain redness and hard red area. I cant complain too much, my arm only has about a golfball size lump on it unlike the normal softball size lump, but it still hurts. I whined and pouted at work today, but got no sympathy. Someone told me to go take some tylenol, so I did, that seemed to help for awhile. ~ I'm kinda whiney about my 3 day work week this week, ya know it's all about what your used to.... Two days is my limit, so back off. ~ My boss asked me yesterday if I would consider working one more day a week starting in January to help "staff" our new outpatient unit.....I have to think about that. Actually that one extra shift would just about pay Brice's rent for a month. That could come in handy. I might have to do that, afterall it is winter, what else is there to do? I cant believe I just said that. ~ It hurts to type, I must go for now and take a warm shower, then take some Tylenol.

There aint no other...

Happy Birthday MOM

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Nobody's got a mom like mine, I got the best

uh huh, Oh yes I do

Yes that's brianna's "shower" cake, but you can pretend it's your birthday cake. Dont eat too much :)

Have a great day MOM

Love you..... Your favorite :)

Saturday & Suday

This is why winter is my favorite season....

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Snow on the ground, me in the house cozy by the fire, with Ricky sleeping in his chair at 8:30pm
It doesnt get any better than that :)

Well lets see here...a weekend update would probably be good about now. Friday- Cant remember, and I think I already blogged about it anyway. Saturday- Rick and I had our Hy-vee breakfast which we just love and only do in the winter. Then we went and got a few groceries, seemed like the right thing to do since we were already there and all. I guess I just whittled the rest of the day away until 5pm. Then i took Gavin and a few of his buddies to Mantorville to some concert or something like that. One of the other parents brought them home so that was nice. Rick and I were rather bored so as i was making supper I thought that it would be a shame to eat it alone, so we called up Brie and Chris and invited ourselves over for supper(I brought the food) They let us come over and we ate some yummy spaghetti on Brie and Chris's new plates. FUN eep. We werent gonna stay long cuz Chris had homework that he needed to do but they asked us to stay and have another match at the game "battle of the sexes". The guys won again...they got ALL the easy questions AGAIN. Anyway, enough about that. After the game we headed home. As I pulled in the garage Brice called and we talked for quite awhile. I really miss my boy, we were suppose to go up this weekend and spend some time with him but his work schedule didnt co-operate, Drats. I wish he could come home...now sigh.

Today we went to Church and had a lovely sevice, from there we went to the mall and had lunch. At 2:00 I went to a baby shower at church which was fun, then headed over to Rick's parents for a bit. Rick had to help his dad do something-or-other. Now we are home, all cozy in the family room sort of watching the Bears & Giants play football. Rick is napping, I'm blogging Gavin just finished his homework and......

BRIANNA JUST CALLED...i gotta go YIP

I Love it

Waking up to the snow this am was like a dream come true. I LOVE winter soooooo much and it was just so beautiful. I wanted to cry, but I didnt. So on my way out this morning as I was off to work, i took a moment to snap a few pictures, These were from 9:30am, so I know we got more snow after the pictures were taken. I here we got 10 inches out north of town. I hope it doesnt melt too quickly, that will make me sad.

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I think I will need to change my flag to something a little more appropriate, but the color contrast is lovely.

Rejoice and be glad

Cool night shot in the familyroom

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Photoshop fun... I can't quit

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Old green eyes

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Ok... You can have one M&M,

which one will you pick?

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Just kidding you can have them all

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Well I'm about to go sit for a bit at Panera and read about my joy, my God. See what He has to tell me today. It's always something that hits me just right for this day.

It is a beautiful day and I will be glad in it, for this is the day that the Lord has made and i will rejoice and be glad in it.

Nitrates seems to be the culpret

So Gavin went to bed Sunday night with a bad headache (most likely a migraine) could not go to school, layed around all day taking drugs to try and combat the dreadful pain and then preceeded to bed again Monday night with the same headache. Was able to go to school Tueday, came home fine. Tuesday night (last night) AGAIN....went to bed with a migraine. Here's my thoughts, "you gotta be kidding me", so I get on the computer and I research food triggers for Migraines. and i see this... Processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni and other meats that are cured with nitrites.

Sunday night Gavin had a grilled fancy beef hotdog, and last night he ate a whole bag of Party wieners with BBQ sauce. OK, both of these are loaded with Nitrates A big trigger of Migraines. I guess I never thought about food triggers with gavin, but these two back to back migraines made me think. I dont think he's ever had 2 migraines that close together and I dont think I 've ever feed him hot dogs so close together. He wanted the hot dogs, I didnt force feed them to him. So I guess we should stay away from those meats with Nitrates. I dont know, maybe it's not the hotdogs, maybe its coincidence. Bahhhhhh No more hot dogs for gavin. This is a sad thing for Gavin, he will surely mourn the hot dogs. I think we will have to check the theory out in a few weeks, and give it another try. It's such a mystery. Enough about the hotdogs.

Last night Rick and I went to the movie "The Prestige", it was a good movie, but kinda wierd, Just alot of freaky stuff, a thinker movie....i dont always care to think when I'm at a movie. Some will disagree with me but I dont like Christian Bale or Hugh Jackman, they are the main character's in the movie...i still liked the movie.

I hope you all enjoy this beautiful day, oh my goodness 70 degrees, I should take advantage and wash my sheets and hang them out, so they can be all fresh and stuff

Recap on the weekend

Friday: We went to The Other Hemmer's house to celebrate Jill's Birthday. It was fun, lots of peeps to chit-chat with. Sadly Brianna had to work but Chris came so that was good. (brianna was sad she couldnt come). I think we were there till about 10:00pm and then came home.

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Saturday: I met up with my dear friends Sharalyn & Julie W.

We hung out at Bruegger's bagel and caught up on what's going on in our lives. Between the 3 of us there are 10 kids to brag about(including spouses) Did i just say spouses? Our kids are getting married off one by one. WOW

Here's a lovely picture of the 3 of us....aint we just the cutest !

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Saturday Afternoon we helped get Brianna and Chris's new furniture in their house. They picked out a comfy Couch& Loveseat and 2 end tables. Uncle Brad also helped, cuz those couches are heavy man. The townhouse really looks complete now. They have furnished a beautiful home, and it's very "warm" and cozy. Good job you guys :)

I helped Brianna shop for some lamps, she found some very nice ones at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.

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At 6:30pm Brie and I went to "The Crafty Mouse" to an invite only party for Girls only. They had a grat sale, 30% off everything in the store, they also had yummy snacks. We bought a few things for our homes. It was fun to browse around and buy fun stuff.

Later Saturday night we were invited over to Brie and Chris's to watch the wedding Video, it was fun to see the wedding again, it all went so fast, and I really didnt get to soak it in the first time. After the video The kids wanted us to stay and play a game, they had it all set up on the kitchen table and even though Chris had to work at 8 O'clock am today, he still wanted to play....very bad. You see Chris is very competitive and will take every advantage to beat someone in a game. We played "Battle of the sexes" BOYS against the GIRLS. Yes the boys won, but they got all the easy questions. Brianna and I will demand a re-match. We got home about 1:00am this morning. It was such a fun time.

Gavin was nowhere in the picture on Saturday. He went to the Gopher's game with a friend (Jay) and then spent the night at his house.

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Sunday: Church then the mall where we caught back up with Gavin (yeah). Came home and called my sister, we chatted for awhile, just enough to catch up. Brianna collected more things from her room to take to their place, It's quite a process, lot's and lots of stuff.

Rick, Gavin and I had a scrumptious dinner of grilled Hot dogs and french fry's. Wow, so fancy.

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So I guess that's about it..... haven't heard from Brice since Friday,I miss him......terribly. I know he is doing well, He is busy with work and school. Hopefully we'll see him in a few weeks :)

So until next time....enjoy the week.

It's still November 1st

Well Jill, I tried to download a cute Baby picture of you but my dumb computer wouldn't do it...Drats. (I bet you're dissapointed)

Oh well, I hope you had a grand Birthday

You are a blessing and a joy :)

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ps. I'll be sure to get you those Java Detour gift certificates for your present. wink wink