THE COOKIE JAR

I bought this cookie jar about 22 yrears ago at the Ben Franklin in Kasson.

(That's when we lived in Kasson)

It's the only cookie jar we have ever owned and

my children are quite attached to it, especially the boys.

Now that we've remodeled the kitchen and done away with the "PINK" countertops,

I just really want to do away with this cookie jar also.

It has those nasty PINK and BLUE hearts on it,

which was fine when I had my PINK countertops.

It also has a rather large crack right down the front

the color...

the crack...

doesnt seem to bother the boys,

they whine and complain everytime I bring the subject

up of getting a new cookie jar.

(remember we are talkin' grown-up boys here)

Last week I told Gavin,

"OK then.... If we're gonna keep it we will at least have to

turn it around on the counter so the PINK doesnt show".

His response....

*

..."then how will I know they are baked with love"?


Oh gavin... you got me there :)

Are we done yet???

Feels like one step forward

then two steps back....

...but thats just what it seems like, cuz this guy is plugging away about every spare moment he gets !

Puttin' the cord-around back on... staining, painting.

This week my guy installed and plumbed this beauty

Countertop was put in on Wednesday.... we love it

As for me...

...I've been an "organinzing junky" the last few days, our outdoor garbage bin is plum full and I just keep finding more junk to throw.

Sadly, this is just from ONE cupboard... yes Brianna it's the "junk cupboard"

This clutter will soon be gone, and new carpet will be installed

I cant wait for the finished product on the entire upstairs !

Here's pretty much the finished product of the kitchen...from the unclutted view...more to come later :)

The pictures dont really give the true colors of the

paint & counter tops ...but you get the idea, right.

Common bond

A daughter may outgrow your lap,but she will never outgrow your heart.

Me...back in 1984 ~ Just 23 years old A new mom with my baby girl, Brianna

...and here's that sweet baby girl Brianna with a baby of her own

There is nothing.... nothing sweeter than witnessing your daughter become a mother.

watching her tender touch & gentle kisses,

and, loving the way she looks at her baby...

I feel blessed to live so close to my daughter, to be able to encourage her, lend a hand with the baby , and being able to see first hand, how she's catching on so quick.

You are a good mommy, brie...a natural

We are now closer than ever, my daughter is a little girl who has grown up to be my Friend

There's a new common bond, that we never had until now...

... that feeling of a baby girl in your arms for the first time, and getting to be her mom... what a joy !

Brianna, (and Chris) thanks for giving me an amazing gift, Audrey Joanne... my first Grandbaby

Happy Birthday Mom

It's my mom's birthday today (Nov. 14th) so I thought I'd Honor her
on this day with a blog just for her.

This is my mom... coolest mom ever !
My mom is such a great mom, she's always there for us kids, and her beloved grandkids
She loves us all the same , except I'm pretty sure Im her favorite !!!


She had us four, and I think we all turned out pretty good
(wouldnt you say, mom)?


because of us four...she got 10 grandkids (one in heaven), who love her so much


Because of us four.... she also got two son-in-laws and two daughter-in-laws...

Darin



Rick & Michelle



cindy

****
Some more grandkid pics

granddaughter Alex

grandson Grant

Grandkids Grant and Jensen

Granddaughter Megan

Grandson Sam

because of us four,... our kids gave her some more grandkids

Kate (and Jamey)

Jenny(left) & Chris (Right) Brice, gavin and brie
*

because of us four... mom now has her first great-grandchild

Audrey, " I WUV MY GREAT GRANDMA"

Thanks for being our mom, grandma, and great-grandma.

You are loved, Happy Birthday

mindless...or not

...and this is only a portion of what I need to go through....and "know"

I must read through some 60 slides with alot of detailed instructions and be able to answer questions, educate and draw up the the correct amount of N1H1, depending on certain criteria for each patient..... WHAT !!!

when I signed up for this I really thought it would be mindless...

an easy way to make my salary without having to think...oops

Yah yah yah... I've given 500 billion shots in my career and started

a million IV's, so whats the big deal?

Here's the big deal....
Tomorrow I must go to the library in the Old Marion Hall at St Mary's Hospital and educate myself on N1H1 vaccinations, Cuz peeps are gonna be asking

me questions, therefore I must equip myself with

the knowledge on this stuff.

On top of all that I will need to learn how to "bill" the patients and chart

in a slightly different program then I'm used to....

Oh, I know i can do it, It's probably not as complex as it seems on paper,

hopefully it'll turn out to be as mindless as i had anticipated.

This I know for sure...

I'm really good at "shots & IV's"

The mess will be worth it

Patching nail holes, filling in cracks, sanding,

more patching, painting, triming etc etc...

That's what this guy has been doing ALL weekend.

I'm not a painter... I really would be ok if I never painted in my lifetime.

Good thing Rick is "all over it". It's quite a task to paint the

whole upstairs, hall and entry way, but he's doing it all ...never asks for helps.

I'm so lucky I got him :)

Two coats done on the Accent wall

The mess is a little overwhelming, but I try not to look at it and remember that it'll soon be back in order, and looking better than before we started.

The rest of the walls are trimmed and ready for the roller.

As for me... I've been Cleaning, organizing and making runs to Goodwill. Every now and then peeking out to see how Ricks' coming along, and making sure to point out a "Spot" he missed, then back to my tasks.

• Counter top is ordered
• Carpet is picked, just have to give Home Depot the go ahead to order
• Still looking at sinks and faucets
• Lighting will come later.

Nothing like a fresh cut lawn in November.