Manic Monday

Manic Monday #148
What is the biggest mistake you made in 2008 and will not make again in 2009?
Gosh, I can't think of the biggest mistake, lets say I make lots of small ones, like saying things before thinking about it, being totally clumsy, assuming things , and being very gullable.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? No, I don't make New Year's Resolutions, because I very rarely keep them. I just try to be a good person everyday of the year.

Who do you nominate as “Man or Woman of the Year” for 2008? Whether I voted for him or not, probably Borack O'Bama, because he did something no one else has ever done, being voted in as the first black president.

What was your greatest accomplishment in 2008? I would say being sworn in as the State President of our Treasurer's Association.

Happy New Year to you all!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad Dog

We always wrap our dog's Christmas presents and put them under the tree, we show them their presents and they carry them around every time they come in. They would like to open them, but we tell them they have to wait until Christmas. Since the weather has been extremely cold (under 10 degrees at night), they have been getting to sleep in at night. My husband had to go to work early on Tuesday morning, and I went to take my bath. I was in the bathroom about 15 minutes and this is what I found when I came out. Jake had opened both his present and Gus's and was looking so proud. It was so funny I ran and got the camera, after which I told him he was a bad boy and them cleaned up the mess. I re-wrapped the presents and put them back under the tree. But unfortunately, they both now know what they are getting!

Christmas Progressive Party

So I was over at Etc., Etc., Etc., reading about Debbie's party. What a party! Good job, Deb. So I thought I better tell about the party we had Saturday night. A few of my couple friends decided to have a progressive Christmas Party. We all have decorated our houses and everyone wanted to have a get together at their house, so we compromised. We started at the Patrick's house for hors de' ours and cocktails. We visited for about an hour, before we headed for the next house where we had our main course. The last stop was at my house for cheesecake with different fruit toppings. We headed for the basement to finish the evening with cocktails, again and for some team pool playing. One couple lives 20 mile in the country, so they brought the wine. It was a fun night. P.S. We did have a designated driver. Happy Holidays!

Friday Fill-Ins

It has been awhile since I posted with Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping and all. So thought I better do a Friday Fill-in, they look fun!

1. Snow is here, but also with it comes the cold and wind.

2. I'm looking forward to my husband's company Christmas Party tonight.

3. Family, love, and good health is the best Christmas gift ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is the Carol Burnett Show.

5. I'm done with my Christmas shopping! Yea!

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is getting together with all my friends and family at different get togethers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to see above, tomorrow my plans include doing some holiday cooking and enjoying being home and Sunday, I want to go to church, watch the Broncos play, and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Tragedy in a small town

My small town woke up to some terrible news this morning. A local business/home caught fire in the middle of the night, and only 1 out of the 4 people who lived there made it out alive. This was a couple who were trying to make things happen for them. They opened a Mexican food take out out of their home. They made wonderful breakfast burritos in the morning, plus recently had started making homemade donuts in the morning. They had started this business from scratch and had quite a following. This last year they had purchased our movie theater which had been closed. The movie is about all there is to do for kids in our town. They opened it back up and started showing movies, matinees, and good food.

This couple had a son who was a junior in High School, and the grandma lived their also. The grandma made it out alive.

Our local fire department is volunteer only, these couragous men have full lives, but have to fight fires on their own time without pay. I commend them, they did what they could in the middle of the night in 24 degree temperature with a terrible wind.

What a tragedy!

Tax Sale Day

On Thursday is my annual Tax Sale in my office. It all starts is January, Tax Notices go out, due dates come and go, delinquent notices go out in July. If they still aren't paid in October, I advertise the taxes in our local paper, alpha by name of owner. If they still aren't paid, I sell at the tax sale. It is an auction, and yes, people, I am the auctioneer. Not an auctioneer like you think of talking fast, but there are bidders and they bid against each other until I get a final bidder. I dread this day all year. It goes fast, and everyone says I do a good job. I just get nervous about making a mistake. This ends the year process of collecting taxes, and in Jan. it starts all over again.

It really is nice, though, not being too busy in December, when you have parties and get togethers for Christmas. I already have 3 party invitations, and expect more to come. I have started some Christmas shopping, and will finish the weekend after Thanksgiving. But first, we need to remember to celebrate Thanksgiving, and be thankful for everything we have!

1. Please feel free to sqeeze the Charmaine. Remember that commercial.

2. When I walk by my rose bush when it's in bloom I can't help sniffing it occasionally.

3. My favorite thing to cook is a big batch of home made bread, which I then make into beirox and cinnamon rolls.

4. Laughter is something I can't get enough of.

5. Unconditional love, that's the thing I love most about my dogs.

6. Bad drivers always makes me think to myself, what the heck?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe going out to eat at a new mexican restaurant in town, tomorrow my plans include painting in my house and Sunday, I want to finish up painting and relax!

We Won!

I said in my Friday Fill-ins that I was planning on dressing up for Halloween and attending a costume party on Friday night. Me and 3 other crazy friends, decided to go as KISS. Now we are all 40-ish, and grew up in the 70's, but do you think any of us even knew any songs they did? Well we did actually know some, just didn't know they did it.
We started getting ready about 6:00 p.m. with drinks, of course. Most of the clothes we just threw together, lots of black, bling, some actual chains (bought at Everitt Moore). We put knee socks over our boots to try and make them look like the platform boots they wore. Me and 1 other girl have shoulder length hair, so we sprayed and ratted and sprayed again, and then dyed with black. The other 2 girls wore black wigs. Then came the face paint. We each picked out who we were, drew the outline with black eyeliner, and then filled with either black or white face paint. We looked awesome.
For the grand entrance, we waited until 9:00 to show up, and had someone get everyone's attention, and yell KISS IS IN THE BUILDING!
It was alot of fun, there were alot of other costumes, some good ones, but when the time came they announced 3rd, 2nd, and then 1st place, which we won. I think we won $100 credit at the bar, so we each have $25. I then started thinking about getting home, I car pooled, and getting in the shower and hoping all the hair paint and face paint came off, before I could go to bed. Thank God it did!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. My favorite food seasoning is garlic salt. I buy the big container from Sam's and it goes in everything.
2. Laughter from my kids, the kind that comes from deep down, is music to my ears.
3. Lucky is the story of my life. I have always felt I was lucky to have what I have, family, job, etc.
4. My job is something I take very seriously.
5. Many people are very unhappy with their life. I live my life to it's fullest every day.
6. Apple cidar, for spiced cidar to serve in my office today, was the last thing I bought at the store. (It smells great)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a Halloween Party, me and 3of my friends are going as KISS. (Pictures to be posted later), tomorrow my plans include working around the house and maybe eating out with friends, and Sunday, I want to clean house, go to church, and relax the rest of the day! (Go Broncos!)

Me and My Daughter!

My daughter just recently got her laptop fixed and finally was able to get on my Blog! I've been telling her about it, but she wasn't able to get on it at work, so now she has seen it. She thought it was pretty cool, but noticed there were a couple of posts about her brother and not her. I explained that it was his birthday a few weeks ago, well her birthday isn't until May, so I thought I better post something now.

We had booked our gyno visits together in August, and after we were done we went to lunch and went shopping. Afterwards I took her home and we took these pictures. I have been told we look more like sisters than mother and daughter. I had her when I was 10, (really it was 21) and she is now 26. I know I am partial, but she is a beautiful girl. She is a physical therapist assistant, and her dad and I are very proud of her!

The other picture is of her and her baby, Kal. She got Kal about 6 years ago. She named her Kally, but found out she was a he and now he is Kal.

I've been a terrible blogger! (and Friday Fill-ins)

Okay, so I have been ignoring my blog for awhile. I was gone for meetings in Fort Collins for a week. It was my first meeting as President. A little stressful, but I got through it. This last week I have been reading other bloggers, but just couldn't get into it. I did "What is it Wednesday", but that was about the extent of it. It is not like I haven't tried though. My daughter has been feeling slighted that I have not posted about her, so I have been trying to get some pictures downloaded to post. So maybe next week I will get that done. In the meantime, here are my Friday Fill-ins.


1. Right now, I'm feeling hot!(no not that kind of hot, it is hotter that you know what in here).

2. Home, in my comfy's, is where I want to be.

3. How does one vote count? I just voted early, and I like to think my vote counts, but on election day when they project a winner, when the polls aren't even closed in my state, I wonder.....

4. My husband keeps me on track.

5. Please don't hate me because I'm beautiful. (Ha Ha, it's the first thing that popped into my head)

6. Seeing my kids happy fills me with joy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making a birthday cake for my mother in law, tomorrow my plans include going to the inlaws house and making enchiladas for her birthday and Sunday, I want to come home!

How I got my diamond earrings

Another cool story about my son, since his birthday was yesterday. When I got pregnant with him, 23 years ago, we called my in-laws in January before he was born in October, and told them the good news. Since this was probably the last chance for my father-in-law to get a grandson, he made me a deal. His birthday is October 2, so he said if I gave him a grandson on his birthday, he would buy me Diamonds! Well it was fate or something, cause I was due the middle of October, but since they thought I might be having twins, I had an ultrasound in June and they moved my due date to the last week of September.

I couldn't believe it, but my water broke at Midnight on October 1st and he was born at 7:45 October 2. As soon as I was back in my room, that morning, I called my father-in-law in Denver and told him "He better go shopping". 5 Hours later he showed up with a pair of diamond earrings and a football for his grandson who shares his birthday. They are really close and has spent their birthday together most every year.

And I got my Diamonds! This is a picture of the two of them in Alaska this past summer.

I've been boring!

I read other blogs daily, and it seems there are such good writers out there, I get really intimidated. I seem to do the daily blogs, you know, Manic Monday, What is it Wednesday, or Friday Feast. I decided to get with it and write something else.

So, here we go, we went shopping in Colorado Springs last weekend for a birthday present for our 23 (today)year old son. He is at that age when you ask what he wants for his birthday, and he really can't think of anything. When he was younger, he would make lists. So he's had some flat tires lately, so we suggested new tires. Now I, as a woman, think tires are a pretty boring present. But my family has a thing about new tires.

Even my daughter, when she describes a car, it always includes the tires. But I guess I am lucky about this, since I've never had to change a tire. My husband is really good about rotating, and checking air, and we get new ones every so often whether we need them or not!

But it can't be just any tire, they have to be manly for a truck, and it helps if they have raised white letters. We looked at about every tire place there was before we bought them at Pep Boys. So now we will take his present to him on Saturday, and have a little birthday party. I had to get a little something extra, cause the mom in me thinks he needs something to open. And of course a cake. He may be 23, but he will always be my little boy!

Manic Monday

What is the most useful gift you’ve ever been given? My Bunn coffee pot my mother-in-law gave me in 1986. I even remember the year! They last forever, and I couldn't live without it. I think I am on my 2nd Bunn. I even bought one for the office. Coffee starts brewing as soon as you pour the water in! It's done in no time!


Name the most terrifying moment of your life so far. Not just a single time, but every time my kids took a road trip after they got their driver's license. Especially if the weather was bad, or they didn't call to say they made it when I thought they should, and I couldn't get them on their phone. Even today, I worry and they are 26 and 23.

One hot summer afternoon, while walking through a parking lot at a large shopping center, you notice a dog suffering badly from the heat inside a locked car. What would you do? I would call for a policeman or find a guard at the shopping center to get the car unlocked. Hopefully they would take the animal to the Humane Society.

Friday Fill-Ins

1.Some family member's birthdays, a week in Fort Collins for a meeting(love it that time of year), and Halloween are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October.

2. Sometimes I wish you could turn back time, but then I really like the way my life is now.

3. I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!

4. When I'm down, I like to talk about it with other people. It makes you realize your problems are not quite as bad.

5. Either at work or at home is where you'll find me most often.

6. A rainy day is good for cooking or baking and then eating.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a quiet evening at home , tomorrow my plans include a day trip to the city to buy presents for those birthdays coming up and Sunday, I want to get my weekend chores done, and watch the Broncos play!

Manic Monday

Pick out the most important item you have in your purse/wallet and tell me why it's important to you. I think the most important thing in my wallet is my Official Government issued I.D. or Drivers's License. You can't get on a plane without it, or charge with a credit card, or even write a check. It is my only identification with my picture on it, since I don't carry my passport around. Oh, and I guess I can't drive without it.

What would you take from your house if you knew it would be flooded tomorrow? I would grab my thumb drive (which has all my computer info, pictures, banking info, addresses), important jewelry, and my kids baby books.

If you were stuck in a room for an hour with a chalk board, what would you draw on it? Probably just write my name on it a few times, and maybe some happy faces.

Manic Monday

If you could choose only two movies to watch ever again, what would they be? The movies would be Dirty Dancing (one of my all time favorites) and Gone with the Wind.


What have you found to be the best way to relieve tension? I would pour me a glass of wine, put on some good music and read a good book.

If you went to a beach and it turned out to be a nude beach, would you stay and go swimming? Would you swim nude? Yes to both questions! Hopefully I wouldn't know anyone though.

We returned from our "Dog Vacation". It is such a relaxing trip, no phones, t.v., pagers. In this day and age it kind of freaks me out being so out of touch with my kids, work, etc. We do alot of hiking in the mountains, some fishing, and alot of eating. We don't just do the sandwich stuff, we like to grill steaks, brats, even the trout we caught. I usually make a big breakfast, which I don't do at home. Some people wouldn't think of this as a vacation, but I love it. I read books, one which is Nicolas Sparks' which the movie is getting ready to be released, "Nights in Rodanthe". I am really looking forward in seeing that. Bill and I played gin rummy, during the day when it was raining, or at night, after we went in. We had a fire every night, of course we had smore's.

Since it was the Dog Vacation I had to put pictures of them. This is Baby Jake, he is not really a puppy anymore, he is 4, but that was what we called him and it stuck, we also call him Odie, cause he really acts alot like Garfield's friend.

Gus is our old guy, he is 11, he was a real trouper. Though this might have been his last year to the mountains, I don't know. He hiked up the mountain every time, but by night he was limping around and his feet hurt. He also had a hard time getting in and out of the camper.

So, now tomorrow back to work for both of us. That is always a challenge after being gone for a week. Plus tomorrow after work the girls at work are coming over for drinks for a birthday party for one of them! So Pomegranite and regular margarita's here we come!

Friday Fill-in's

1. When I'm sick I'm impatient, I hate being sick, and I always have things I need to be doing.

2. When I take a walk, I think about what is going on in my life at that moment, family, friends.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can sure make your life easier.

4. Cotton makes me comfortable and leather makes me sexy.

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was no one really.

6. My favorite color these days is pink because it seems like everything I buy is pink lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to packing for our camping trip, tomorrow my plans include leaving for a week's vacation and Sunday, I want to relax and enjoy the mountains! So, talk to you all next week!
Posted by Janet at 8:01 PM

Almost had pictures!

We were out of town this weekend, and went shopping. We used Uncle Sam's stimilus check to buy a new refrigerator and had some left over, so we bought us a new camara. A smaller, sleeker digital version. I was so excited. Our old camera works pretty good, but it was when digital first came out, it is bulkier, and after you took a picture is took a long time for the screen to come back. Plus you had to change the size of each picture to download and e-mail. And that was a pain.

Well anyway, we used it Sat. night when we went out on the town. My daughter and boyfriend, my brother and his wife, were there and we took some good pictures. I was anxious to blog them, to have something to post today. So Sunday morning I was playing with the camera (I should have read directions first) and was trying to change the pixel size so I could take more pictures on the card, and yep you guessed it, went into formatting pressed YES and deleted all the pictures!!!

So now I will have to take new pictures this coming weekend on our camping trip we call the Dog Vacation. One week each year around Labor Day we take our fifth wheel, dogs, Gus and Jake, to the mountains, for the last big hurrah! So until then...................gotta get through work this week.

Know and Tell Friday

1. Are you right- or left-handed?I am left handed, but I am really screwed up because I do some things right-landed such as bowl and throw a baseball.

2. Any nicknames they have (or have had) and the story behind them? Suz or Sue, or the only other thing is Ma, except when the kids are embarrassed about something I've done it's Mother!

3. Do you need to do laundry right now? No I keep it pretty well done.

4. What CD is in your CD player/music on your iPod right now? Would be Jackson Browne from Saturday night at home. I listen to XM pretty much at work and in my car. Don't have an iPod.

5. How/when did you learn to ride a bicycle? About the age of 5, we alway decorated our bikes for the local county fair parade and rode them at the first of the parade. We got a silver half dollar for doing it.

6. What is your favorite weird food combination? I put ketchup on my bisquits and gravy, which really disgusts my husband.

7. What is something you have that is of sentimental value? I just recently was given a picture of my great-grandma and great-grandpa that is in one of those really old picture frames with the oval glass.

Friday Fill-Ins

This week Amy provided the questions; thank you, Amy! And...here we go!

1. Dancing to the music on my stereo while making supper and drinking a glass of wine makes me very happy and in a good mood.

2. The last time I was doing a cheer( just messing around) I nearly did the splits (ouch, accidently).

3. When I drive by myself I usually have the music up loud and sing.

4. I saw you standing there.(Lyrics to some song)

5. Give me happiness, give me love, give me health.

6. Next week I am looking forward to leaving on a camping vacation in the mountains for a week.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the olympics with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include going to a Sky Sox baseball game with family and Sunday, I want to do some shopping, before heading home from the game.
Posted by Janet at 8:33 PM

Manic Monday

Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
Remodeling my bathroom at home. We have been doing 1 room at a time ourselves, but we are probably going to hire someone to do the bathroom. Just finding someone to do it in a small town is a job by itself.

If you could make any fictional character come to life, which one would it be?Prince Charming

If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and how long would it take you to spend the $10,000?Home Depot, not very long. (See answer to No.1)

Name three things you wanted as a child but never got. An Easy Bake Oven (But got my daughter one as soon as she was old enough), Big Wheel (I was too big when they first came out),
and a sister (Only have 1 brother)

Friday Fill-Ins

Here we go:
1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was just today for my standing Friday lunch with the girls. I wasn't very hungry, but we get to catch up on our visiting every week.

2. People who are late is something I intensely dislike.

3. The full moon is when I get my hair trimmed, the almanac says it makes your hair grow faster.

4. "In Colorado, if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes and it will change" is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to not say anything at all if you can't say anything nice.

6. Gosh haven't seen a movie for awhile, so nothing is the best movie I've seen so far this year!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a 50th birthday pary do Don Auburger, tomorrow my plans include abolutely nothing and Sunday, I want to, or rather have to play for church!
Posted by Janet at 8:52 PM

State Treasurer President

At the State Conference this past June, I was installed as State Treasurer's Association President. I must be crazy or something, how did I get myself into this. I am a person who gets involved, so when you get to be known as a person who gets things done, they call on you. And as I have said before, I have trouble saying no. I have been on the Executive Board for the state for about 4 years now, and when they needed a nominee for 2nd vice-president a couple of years ago, they talked me into it. I thought at the time, 2 years until I was President seemed like a long time, but here we are. It is a big responsibility, but a challenge, and I'm always up for a good challenge.

I am pictured above with the outgoing President. She will still be on the Executive Board so I expect to get alot of help from her, and the other members. So here we go, wish me luck!

Manic Monday

Interesting Questions, makes you think!

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you? A person who is always happy and has a smile on her face. Happily married to the same guy 29 years. A nice couple with 2 nice kids. A nice family. (I actually had a guy say this about my family just last week)

Do you trust anyone to protect you? I trust my husband to protect me completely. He has and will always be my knight in shining armour since I was about 16. I can always count on him.

If you died or went missing, who would miss you? If I went missing, again, my husband, since I see him every day, and the girls at work, if I didn't show up they would call my husband.
But if I died I think all my family would miss me (I have a big family), and my friends (I have alot of friends).

Know and Tell Friday

1. My favorite bedtime attire is pretty silky strappy pajamas in the sulmmer. I love to feel pretty when i go to bed. In the winter I like to wear lounge pants and wife beaters (tank top) from usually Old Navy or Victoria Secret.

2. The perfect meal would include Lobster with a hearty side of melted butter and a big glass of White Zinfindel wine. (Wow my mouth is watering)

3. The most memorable girl's night out I've ever had was when just recently me and 2 bff went to the city together to get our mammograms. We went to a Japanese Steakhouse the night before, then got Margaritas, took them back to our hotel and drank them on the motel patio, went to the hot tub,visited and laughted until late. That was in just a couple of weeks ago. I was and am 47 years-old.

4. My earliest memory is living in the country in a small town in Eastern Colorado, losing my shoe in the ditch, and my dad finding it out in the pastor next door.

5. The family is gone for the evening and I will spend my time watching a chick flick and drinking a glass (or 2) of wine.

6. Right now I am supposed to be working instead of blogging.

7. When I am done blogging, I am going to start working."

Friday Fill-Ins

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Friday Fill-Ins #84

1. You know you're old when I suggested to this lady in my office yesterday she sign up for a Homestead Exemption (you have to be 65 years or older to qualify) and she told me that she was only 55. I was shocked, she is only 8 years older than me, and she looked really old!!!!!!!!!

2. My heart is divided between family time and responsibilites outside the home. I'd rather be home with my family!

3. Somethink to eat is what I need RIGHT NOW! I skipped breakfast.

4. I have felt the loss of losing a loved one, I have known the depths of heart ache.

5. Gah, won't these people quit calling about who I would vote for in the upcoming election.

6. Forgive someone you have had problems with as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, tomorrow my plans include cleaning house, maybe shampooing my carpets, and Sunday, I want to go to Church and rest!
Posted by Janet at 8:18 PM

I'm a Winner

Blog This Mom!

Ever since I started blogging, I enter in all kinds of contests on different blogs. I started blogging around April, had to learn alot. My good friend, Debbie, started me on blogging by sending me her blog. I enjoyed reading hers so much, and all her friends in the blogging world, I had to be involved. I now try to blog 3 or 4 times a week, have started Manic Mondays, Friday Fill-ins, and What is it Wednesday. It is time consuming, but addictive.

So I started reading the San Diego Blog Bitches, which includes a group of ladies who get together every now and then, for fun, food, and good conversation. Cheri, Blog this Mom, from this group put together a contest and the winner wins a really cute bag with their logo on it. And guess what, she pulled my name from a hat and I won! I am patiently waiting for it in the mail. My friend, Debbie, is so jealous, I just know it. So, thanks, Cheri!

Manic Monday

Manic Monday #128
Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself: Mother, Wife, Friend, Singer, Musician, Politician (unfortunatley), Golfer, Overachiever, Organizer, Christian

If you owned your own store, what would you sell? I probably would own a jewelry store, love to buy it, wear it, shop for it!

If you were to name the most comforting thing for you to hold in your hands, what would it be? I think holding a newborn baby.

Friday Fill-Ins

Here we go:1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to early 1970's I was small & when my mom and dad, and all my grandparents were living, when we had both families together for the holidays and moved all the furniture and everyone played music and sang.

2. Give me more hours in a day or give me less stuff to do.

3. I am listening to Chris Rice, Short Term Memories on a CD that a friend recorded for me, so we can learn the song "Go Light Your Candle". We are going to sing it in church in a couple of weeks.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking I should get to work, instead of writing on my blog.

5. I'll always be a happy go-lucky person, with a smile on my face, and talks too much.

6. My idea of a good time includes going to Playa del Carma, Mexico, laying on the beach with a margarita (with my husband, of course).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to local fair to the 4-H animal auction and buyer supper, tomorrow my plans include going to the fair parade in the morning, free bar-b-que, spending time with family and Sunday, I want to sleep in!

Posted by Janet at 7:47 PM

My body is possessed!

I am convinced that my body was possessed by these Seven Dwarves. I started this last year(2007) having irregular periods. I usually had them like clock work. I was 46 years old.(I had a tubal when I was 26, after having my children, a boy and a girl, my family was complete.) Then last August I had what I think was my last real period. Then the hot flashes started. I didn't really know what it was, I just know I immediately was hot, and thought everyone else should be too. I was constantly asking, is it hot in here, or aren't you hot? After people looking at me like I was crazy, I started thinking it was just me. Then in the middle of winter and I was freezing my husband out, it just hit me, it's a hot flash. I took some advice from another menopausal woman, that taking black cohash and vitamin E helps, and it really did!

I kind of stopped having hot flashes, but other things were happening, (See above). I didn't sleep much at night, my sex drive was all but gone, I retained water, and yes, I felt possessed. My body was no longer my own. Plus I have gained about 10 pounds and cannot lose it! That really pissed me off.

Then in May I got a sore throat, the soreness went away, but I felt like something was in my lower throat, like when you swallow a pill and it gets stuck. Not all the time, but it comes and goes. I decided end of June to go to the doctor. Man, did I unload on him. After telling him all my symptoms, he asked if I ever had my Thyroid checked, which I said no. He said my Thyroid was a little enlarged, thus my throat thing. And all the symptoms of menopause are alot like thyroid issues, which can be brought on by menopause. I had a blood test, and my thyroid which should be between 0 and 3.5 was 35.

So now I am on Thyroid medicine. Hot flashes are gone, and in August will be a year since my last period, so I hope I am on my way. Now those pesky 10 pounds. I will hopefully get to work on that and taking control of my body again. Bye, Bye, seven dwarfs! (I hope)

Manic Monday

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Manic Monday #127
Every person you have ever slept with is invited to a banquet where you are the guest of honor. No one will be in attendance except you, the collection of your former lovers, and the catering service. After the meal, you are asked to give a fifteen-minute speech to the assembly.What do you talk about? That's pretty easy, I would talk to my husband.

What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? After my house is clean and everything in order (I'm kind of weird like that, can't relax until everything is in it's place) I bake something like cinnamon roles, and sit down with a good book.

Are you a window person or an aisle person? Why? I am a aisle person, my husband likes the window seat, so I usually take the aisle.
30 comments

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you will teach you something and make you a stronger person.

2. If you're good at something share it, pursue it, and strive to do it better.

3. Why so doom and gloom? I am a very optimistic person per my blog name. I know you have to be realistic, and bad things do happen, but tomorrow is always another day.

4. Something is out there, it's just waiting for you to find it.

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled "Let's Party".

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see my 2 yellow labs, Gus and Jake, my grouchy yellow cat, Tico, a margarita or Bud Light on my patio table, and husband, Bill sipping along with me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a bar-b-que I'm having with a few friends (on same patio) , some good margaritas, and some good times. Tomorrow my plans include catching up around the house, and going to the Miss Baca County Beauty Pageant which kicks off our County Fair. And Sunday, I want to clean house, and play and sing good at church, and relax the rest of the day!

Posted by Janet at 9:17 PM

Brisendine Family Reunion

My mom was from a family of 6 children and 2 older half brothers, both of which are deceased. Needless to say when we all get together there is alot of family running around. My mom, the oldest of the 6 kids, passed away in 1998. That is when we decided we needed to get together for reunions every now and then. This last month we had ours in Burlington.

As a kid growing up I was the oldest grandkid of 13 (also we have 5 cousins from the half brothers). Every year we all got together for most holidays at my grandparents house. My family is really into taking picture so every year we had a picture of every generation year after year. I wanted to scan an old picture of all the cousins when we were little, but can't get it to work, so will have to settle on this picture that was taken at the reunion. This isn't everyone, a few cousins are missing. Now we all have kids, so there is another generation of cousins, and it just keeps growing. My kids are the oldest great grandkids, and someday we will start having great-great grandkids.

We are also a very musical family, and every reunion we have our own talent show, my Grandma Brisendine played the piano by ear and sang. Most of us have inherited that talent. It is so amazing! What a great family I have!

Been awhile!

Hi, boy I've been gone and busy, and haven't had a chance to post. But just watched this clip on an e-mail and it really got to me. Thought if was worth passing on.

Been out of town to meetings, and then a family reunion, so I will post some pictures of this soon!

Manic Monday!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Manic Monday #123

What sound or noise do you love? I love laughter, when someone if laughing that deep all over type of laugh you can't help but feel good also.

What sound or noise do you hate? The typical nails scraping on a chalk board, really curls my teeth! Really, they do curl.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I think it would be really fun to be a flight attendant. I love to travel, you could really see the world, but not such a great job with a family.

What profession would you not like to do? I don't think I could work in a nursing home or alzeimers unit. There are special people that have just the knack and compassion for that.

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill In #77

1. A smile is contagious, just smile alot and see what happens.

2. Texas Holdem is my favorite board or card game. A group of girlfriends get together everynow and then and play, 10 cents per chip, $5.00 buy in. We're big spenders.

3. I would love to have more weekends in my life and less work days. Especially in the summer, I love to camp, golf and travel.

4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of my brothers birthday, he was born on Father's day and the first day of summer in l964. He won the first baby born prize on father's day and my parents got a ham or something.

5. I just remembered I need to book some hotel reservations for a couple of days in July. Hope it's not too late.

6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: Longer that any any fishes in the ocean, I will beloved by you.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to washing clothes, tomorrow my plans include hosting a wedding shower, packing and Sunday, I want to get up early and leave for a week in Steamboat Springs, CO! (Conference for my job, mini vacation for husband)

America's got Talent #2

Forget to add the link.

America's Got Talent

Did you watch America's Got Talent Tuesday night? This little girl who just turned 4 years old sang Somewhere Out There. It was amazing. She remembered all the words and was on key pretty much throughout the song. I was amazed. She got picked to go on to the show in Las Vegas. Compared to some of the other talent, this was awsome.

Manic Monday #121
If your personality had to be summed up as a sandwich, what kind of sandwich would you be?
I would be a ham salad sandwich. You chop a little of this and a little of that and mix it all together. It's very colorful: pink, green yellow. I have many interests and have a hand in everything, and very outgoing personality.

If you knew that someone was dying, but they didn’t know, would you tell them the truth or deceive them about it? I am a firm believer in telling people the truth, good or bad. Besides my husband says I am a terrible liar.


Do you dress the same when you are depressed as you do when you are very happy? No, that's really weird when you think about it, when I'm happy I dress in bright colors and depressed I really don't care.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Being healthy and happy, along with my family, is high up on my bucket list.

2. My favorite quote is tomorrow is another day, and this too shall pass; it's from me (I think), just sleeping can make things look alot brighter the next morning.

3. Debbie at Etc., Etc.,Etc., inspired me to start blogging. She is a long time friend who lives in Japan, and we keep in touch through blogging.

4. Strawberries are best dipped in chocolate with a bottle of champagne, candles, soft music, etc.

5. I was golfing in the last dream I remember having. I golfed all weekend, so it was on my mind.

6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is early in the morning, it is so peaceful.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my husband, tomorrow my plans include golfing and Sunday, I want to make a nice dinner for father's day!
Posted by Janet at 7:36 PM

Bill (husband), Marcus (son), and Darrell (father-in-law) just got back from a trip to Ketchikan, Alaska, where Bob (brother-in-law) is working on the highway to the bridge that goes to no-where. This was a trip of a life time for them, with Bob the built in guide. His company has a boat they used to fish.




Bill only caught really ugly fish.


Darrell and Marcus each caught a King Salmon.




They got some beautiful pictures!

Manic Monday

Monday, June 09, 2008
Manic Monday #120
What is your ideal age? I have to say 45. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 40's. We had our kids early, so by 45 both kids were out of the house, 1 still in college. I love my kids to death, but we love the freedom we have now. When you leave the house in the morning is stays that way until you get home. If me and my husband come home after work and not especially hungry, we just have a salad.

What is your best excuse for being late? I am hardly ever late, that is my pet peave, people being late. But if I was I would say it was because my garage door wouldn't open and I had to walk or ride my bike.

If you had to give yourself a nickname what would it be? Gullable Girl (I don't know if that is spelled right) I believe everything people tell me.

Friday Feast

Appetizer

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup? I drink it from the can at work, but when I'm home I like it in a glass over ice.

Soup

What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch? I'm a reality show freak, right now I like Top Chef and Step it up and Dance

Salad

Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant. My husband, somehow he always knows something about everything. Don't know how he does it.

Main Course

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas? Yes, I think it really works, you get more done without interruptions.

Dessert

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself? Multitasking Diva

Posting Error

Can't believe I spelled Friday wrong!

Freiday Fill-ins!

1. Idle hands are the devils handy work. I think I got that from the Leann Rimes song, Nothin better to do. I love that song.

2. I love to stand and let the hot water run over me in the shower. My shower is wonderful, the water stream is pretty hard, and almost feels like a message.

3. My favorite time of the day is when me and my husband get home for work, we have a beer on the patio and discuss the day, good or bad. It is very theraputic.

4. The last tea I drank was raspberry tea with a slice of lime a couple of weekends ago, on my patio.

5. I like to play golf in the Summer. About the only sport I still participate in.

6. My mother always said the proverbial "wear clean panties in case your in an accident". Oh, if only my mom knew what kind of panties I wear now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to hanging on the patio with some friends (husband is in Alaska), tomorrow my plans include playing in a golf tourey and Sunday, I want to get the grass mowed, house cleaned, get ready for the new week!

A few weeks ago, we put on a wedding shower for a friend's daughter and Denise, Penny, and I did a skit singing "Going to the Chapel". We decided it wouldn't be complete without wedding dresses. So here are the pictures of us crazy girls! As we were singing, a couple of other friends were on the side holding up visuals. As the song started we walked in like going down the isle, and then did motions during the song. At the end, we got the bride to be up with us, put a vale on her and she sang with us

I'm Back!

After a week of fun and relaxation, it is time to come back to reality. Had a great time in Grand Junction last week. I did think of home quite a bit. The morning we left I received a phone call that there was a bad wreck at home. So this was on my mind the whole day, then the next day I received another call about another wreck at home. Needless to say my heart was home with those families.

I spent a day at the spa (relaxing), a day driving through the wine country and orchards(beautiful), and alot of time shopping(exspensive). I am always glad to get home, except when you go back to work and play catch up. Also this week was the start of a Countywide Non-denomination Church Revival that is called "Crossroad Crusade". It is for 5 nights. I was asked about 6 months ago to be Treasurer for the organization. Also I joined the community choir and my church praise band is playing on 2 nights. I play the electric keyboard which I love. So I have been quite busy since I got home.

The people putting on this revival are affiliated with the Billy Graham organization. They have their own people putting it on. Us locals provide the music, place to have it, sound people, etc. I have truly loved singing in the community choir. It is so great to hear all the beautiful voices we have in our community.

The praise band in my church was started about 2 years ago when our new pastor's wife wanted to play more up to date music. She plays quitar and was in a praise band at their prior church. She has all kinds of music. We have about 7 people with us now. The church purchased a Yamaha electric piano (for me to use). It is awesome. It can do anything!

Vacation Time

After the busiest month in my office, I look forward to the first of May each year. Not only because things slow down a bit at work, but because I get to travel with my husband for a week of luxery. He is a co-chair for a school for electrical lineman in Grand Junction. So I go along with him, sleep in, lounge by the pool, shop, and just enjoy myself. I really love the alone time in the mall! I eat at the Olive Garden, which he hates. I visit the wineries in the area, and stock up on wine. This is some of the best fruit wine in the world!
The evenings are spent with him and all the young linemen from the school. One night they have vendors with booths selling the various items for the job, they also have kegs of beer. Another night a local vendor from Fruita has everyone out to their home for a big bar-q-que, kegs of beer (again).
So until I get back, take care!

Biker Dude and Biker Babe

This last weekend was we went to Bill's folks to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a nice weekend. Instead of taking them out to a nice restaurant we brought the stuff to cook in. We had filets wrapped with bacon, shrimp and the works. I had a pretty cake made, and after supper, a few family came and they opened their presents while we had champagne and cake. It was just simple, but the way they liked it.

Anyway, back to the bikers. Bill's brother is currently working in Alaska and his Harley is in a trailer parked in his folk's yard. His brother specifically asked us to take it out and give it a spin everynow and then. It wasn't complete without his dew rag and leather jacket. It was a little chilly so the jackets felt nice. It was so fun. This is a dream of Bill and I to ride a Harley through the mountains! Maybe someday.

The Supremes!

A couple of summers ago, they had an air band compition at our local park, and a couple of my friends and me decided to try and win it. We decided on the Supreme's and sing Stop in the Name of Love. Needless to say we didn't win, but it was so much fun! The reason I am bringing this up now, is we kind of did the same thing last weekend. A mutual friend of our's daughter is getting married and we threw a wedding shower for her. For entertainment, we decided to bring back the Supremes (kind of). We sang Going to the Chapel, and wouldn't be complete without our Wedding Dresses. I can fit in mine, a little tight though, and Penny and Denise found some dresses, veils and all. To make it funnier, we had 2 other friends hold up visuals while we were singing. I don't have a picture right now, but I am supposed to be getting an e-mail soon, so stay tuned!

(Notice the hair styles, my aunt teased it, it is not wigs!)

I had to try something new, adding a picture! And it actually worked. This is kind of old, but in October I hosted an Oktoberfest Beer Tasting Party. OMG was it fun. Everyone brought a different kind of beer. I made brats and everyone brought a German dish. I had ordered these bibs and hats to get in the mood. If was hilarious! This was a follow up to a wine tasting party I had a few years ago, and everyone kept asking me when I was going to throw another party. I really enjoy theme parties. Decorations and all. The next party is going to be a pajama party. Everyone wears there comfy's and I'll serve mimosa (oranje juice and champagne), a breakfast caserole of some sort, and end with Irish coffee. Should be fun!

Springtime in the Rockies!

Have you heard the saying, if you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 5 minutes and it will change? This week have pretty much been exactly that. Monday we started with beautiful Springtime weather, about 65 degrees. Tuesday started nice, 70 degrees or so, with the wind started picking up. This caused the fire danger to be very high. Then the fires started. A bad fire burned about 6000 acres around a small town of Ordway on Tuesday afternoon, burning 24 houses, and 2 volunteer fireman were killed. Another fire started on Fort Carson, S.W. of Colorado Springs.
Wednesday was pretty chilly, and the rain, sleet, hail started about 10:00, along with the lightening and thunder, thankfully this helped in getting the Ordway fire 100% contained, as well as the Fort Carson fire. This morning we woke up to snow, no accumilation, it melted on impact. So welcome to Colorful Colorado!

Tax Time!

O.k. are your taxes paid? This is the day we have all dreaded all year, income tax deadline. I know everyone hates to pay taxes. But needless to say I put food on my table because of taxes. Not income taxes, but local property taxes. Yes, I am a tax collector. But I look at it in a different way. Because of people paying taxes the children can get an education, we have a hospital/nursing home/alzeimers unit, our children can play rec ball. I work for you the citizens of the county who own their own property. It is a very fulfilling job. I also am an investor. I take those taxes not disbursed to each entity and invest it as wisely as I can to earn the most interest. We are a small county and last year we earned $125,000.00 in interest alone.
The second job I hold is Public Trustee. Colorado is the only state in the nation with a public trustee. It is also not a very pleasant job. I hold the foreclosures in my office. I am the go between with your loan company and their lawyer and you. I also look at my job as the person to educate you in a terrible time in your life. I cannot give legal advice, but I can tell you the procedures, when you need to do something and who you need to talk to. Foreclosures are at an all time high here and all over the country. But when I hold a foreclosure, it is my neighbors who I have known most all of my life.
My job is an elected position so I also am forced to be a politician. I really don't like the politics, but in order to keep my job, I must be involved. Every 4 years I run for office.
So now you know, taxes are not always a bad thing. I pay them too.
This blogging is so much fun. How often do you get to talk about yourself and things that are important to you. It is very theraputic.

And now...for a meme that Debbie tagged me with....1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.***

What I was doing 10 years ago: 10 years ago this month I was going through a pretty rough time. My mom passed away suddenly at the age of 59 on March 15. It was a real shocker, since my dad had already passed away I was the head of my family. My daughter was getting ready for her first prom, she was really close to my mom. Then on prom night a classmate of hers was killed in an auto accident the the wee morning hours(Mitch Gale). Then to top this off she got her driver's license on May 12. It was pretty tough for this mom to let her go out that door and get in that car by herself.

Five Snacks I enjoy: 1.I enjoy a really cold beer after work on my patio with my husband discussing the day, with chips and hot sauce makes it even better. 2. Whoever invented microwave popcorn was a genuis. Rememeber when we had to pop it on the stove or in one of those airpoppers and the butter and salt didn't stick? 3. Guacamole and chips, need I say more. 4. Chex Mix, I made some at Christmas and we are hooked. My husband of 28 years recently quit chewing tobacco and he like to have it around to munch on. 5. This is pretty gross, but in high school I liked to dip my potato chips in ketchup. (This was before ranch dressing)

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:1.I would pay off my kids student loans. I know this wouldn't teach them anything, but my daughter has been paying hers off for about 2 years now at $50 a month. We made both of our kids get student loans the first year in college. 2. Take my whole family, inlaws included, to Alaska. My brother in law works there. 3. Pay off my house and camper, the only things we owe on. 4. Buy my husband a Harley so we could ride in the mountains. 5. Take a trip with my cousin Trenda to Japan to see Debbie, of course.

Five jobs that I have had:1.Worked in the drive in theater, awesome place to be at 14 years old. I couldn't drive to Danette Sheeley picked me up, took me to work and I had to be home 30 minutes after the show. 2. Didn't we all wait on tables? 3. I made flower arrangements at a local flower shop, Aspen Leaf, also made corsages for prom and Mothers Day. 4. I am currently the County Treasurer collected taxes. 5. Of course being a stay at home mom when my kids were little.

Some of my habits:1. I can't say NO! 2. Talking too much. 3. I watch way too much reality T.V. shows, but I am addicted. 4. I drink too much diet coke, love the stuff!! 5. My husband say I snore, but I can't believe that I do.

Five place I have lived:Vilas, CO, Paonia, CO, and now Springfield. I have only lived 3 places in Colorado my whole life.

Five People I Want to Get to Know Better: 1.Mrs. Blogoway2. Leeann3. Ciara4. El Pato5. Ms. Teacher

Hi everyone, so this is my first blog, I am not sure what I'm doing. But I am excited to hear your comments.