Sick Babies

I just got off the phone with my sister. Bad news! We were going to get together today and let the kids play in the snow. They actually have toboggan runs here--where were they when we were little! But it turns out all three of her boys are sick. She didn't sound too great either--but the boys have the stomach flu--and I really don't want that invading my house. My kids have already missed so much school for being sick!

So now I have a long three day weekend to plan something fun! I wonder what movies are out there for the kids. We still have free movie tickets left from Christmas--and it's warm in the theaters!! hmmmm, I'll have to give this a little more thought!

House-Sitting

The kids and I spent the last couple of days housesitting for my sister. She and her family headed to Phoenix for the week. I don't like to fly-so I'm not jealous of that--but OH HOW I LOVE THE SUN! I'm sure she's basking in the view of the palm trees and swimming outdoors and getting a sunburn! Lucky lady!

It's cold here! Not just chilly--but truly negative 16 COLD! My brother in law got home from Phoenix last night and it was -16, he was in shock because he left Phoenix and it was 86 degrees. What a sad, SAD shock for his system!

It is supposed to warm up to 26 degrees this week, but they say the snow will be back early next week! Just in time for Valentine's Day! That's the night my sister is flying home! I hope they make it home safe and sound!

My Uncle Mike

We are in a position where we are looking at putting my uncle into a "partial" care facility. Holy cow is this hard! The poor man has Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington Chorea. Two HUGE disabilities for one single, aged man to deal with.

He doesn't think he needs any help--but just last week he was pulled over (AGAIN) by a police officer who was tipped of that he was driving drunk. Someone had watched him stumble to his truck (the Huntingtons) and had mistakenly thought he was inebriated. Each time my mother is called, where she vows that he doesn't drink but has a hard time walking normally. He walks with a bit of a jittery shuffle. He really shouldn't be driving--but he is in no way impaired chemically.

The main reason's we think he needs to go into a facility is because his kids have all gotten married and moved out of state. His sisters are getting older and finding their own health problems and my mom snowbirds 4 months during the winter in Arizona. He is all alone in the world and isn't very good at remembering to take his medication or even eat for that matter. He's been hospitalized for dehydration three times in the past year, he just forgot to eat or drink anything. He does have one of those talking watches that reminds him to take his medication--but if he isn't home or if he doesn't get to it right away he misses the dose. It's just not working!

So we are spending a lot of time this week trying to find him something that we'll both be happy with. I'll have to let you know what we find!

Finding A Deal

You know what I missed the most being gone? Hounding! Did you know that I was a MAJOR couponer? If you can save money...I'm all over it! Matching a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon ontop of sale price-how cool is that!

I do know people who stockpile a TON of stuff that they will never use, but their thought is--it was so cheap, what if I find I need it later? My thought--you spent money on something you may never use? That is in no way shape or form SAVING! I do only shop for the items that I need or will definitely use! That said, if anyone out there wants my coupons for Pampers or cat food...comment here--and they are yours!

Disneyland

My sister called me today. It's always so good to catch up, especially if I've been away for awhile. Her 20 year high school reunion is this summer back in Utah, and she's thinking it would be fun to take her kids to Disneyland from Utah rather than making a separate trip from Chicago. She'll definitely save on airfare that way. What was funny is that she was looking at an Anaheim California hotel and found a really good rate (at a motel) before she remembered that we are in the hotel business! I called my husband and found a really good rate right next to Disney.

Her kids have never been to Disneyland, and although we've been to Disney World, my kids have never been to Disneyland either. I'm wondering if it would be possible to meet up over the summer and enjoy the park together!

My Poor Body

Do you want to know the one thing I wish I had done before we left for this amazing trip? Get myself in shape to hang out in a swimming suit! I mean, we knew this trip was coming for nearly a year--where were my diet pills? Where was my daily work out routine?

All of my friends from the hotel were dying to just layout in the sun, and although that isn't something I enjoy doing too much of, it would have been fun to be a little social! But no--my body in a bathing suit would truly have scared the natives (and everyone else for that matter)! Besides being a little "big"...I'm white as a ghost! This skin has not seen the sun in over a decade! I would blind pilots flying over head if I bared my legs in direct sunlight!!

Next year we aren't going to the Carribean...but you can bet I'm going to work to get this body in swimsuit shape no matter where we end up!

My New Grasshopper Suitcase

Before we left for the Carribean my husband surprised me with a "going away" gift. It was so sweet. Imagine my surprise to find it was luggage. I'm sorry...you may not know us, but we have a TON of luggage! I think it was the number one gift idea handed out the year we got married...because we got it from just about everyone!

I looked at him kind of confused when I opened my lime green Zero Halliburton Zeroller, and he laughed. He reminded me how every trip we sit at the luggage carousel looking at the tags on each and every black roller suitcase that goes by us. We honestly joke about it because by the time they've made their way around the circle and get back to us, we don't recognize one from the other--and we end up looking at the tags of every suitcase like 5 times! So he got me this green one--so that we can literally see it coming from miles away!

How thoughtful is that?

The BEST Shopping

I spent much of my time over this past week away shopping! I mean, who doesn't want to buy designer wholesale clothing and handbags?

My mom always comes home from her trips with fun new purses, and I got my first pair of Guess Jeans from Hong Kong. Mind you that was back in 1986 when Guess Jeans were all the rage and cost a fortune!

I didn't come home with too much, but I did find the cutest sun dress for next to nothing! I can't wait for the weather to warm up so that I can start wearing it here. Now that I am home, my poor budget is back on tap--so there won't be much more shopping to be done until pay day!!

I hope I can wait!

Charlie!!

Well, it has been too long my friends! I have been out of town for this conference or that, but I am back! Life is good when you are away, but it is always nice to come home. Have you ever been to the Caribbean? It is beautiful, and so warm this time of year, compared to Chicago. What made this particular conference so nice was that it was for my husband's work. So other than the "supporting" duties that I had, I was completely on my own. Since my husband is an executive with the corporation, we were put up in a little bungalow on the hotel grounds. Everything was beautiful--smelled HEAVENLY! The one problem, Charlie! Charlie is a huge spider (from the West Indies) and honestly, we saw him perched in the bathroom window as soon as we got there.

Creepy as he was, I didn't mind using the facilities if Charlie was visible in his web. Ok, to be totally honest, I would have loved to find a brown recluse spider trap only bigger to get him the heck out of there...but if you thought I was going to use my shoe on him, you would be sadly mistaken! The fun part came about 2:30 a.m. about three nights into our stay. We always slept with the bathroom door closed and a towel at the bottom to keep Charlie from roaming. So my husband gets up in the middle of the night to take care of some personal business and the first thing he notices is that Charlie isn't in his "normal" spot. But not being able to wait around to look for him, he just sat down and took car of himself. When he was finished he pulled the sheet down on the toilet paper roll---and yep...Charlie came around with the roll. Even though we were in our own bungalow...I'm sure EVERY guest of the hotel heard him scream his head off!

I'm not sure we got much sleep that night wondering what creatures were wandering around our room, but it is definitely a great story to share with anyone who cares to listen!!

What I Would Really Like

This Christmas we got our boys a Game Cube. Of course if you ask me, we got them an xbox 360. My husband always laughs and corrects me, but honestly--what does it matter? They are both Nintendo gaming systems--they boys know what I'm talking about, even when I get it wrong. But it's funny.

You know what I really want? I want Super Mario Brothers--that first Nintendo game. I remember loving it, but since it wasn't mine I didn't get to play it nearly enough. I don't think they make it for the Game Cube, but I would totally love to get a chance to play it. I was looking on Ebay for it, and they are still selling for nearly $30. It's like 20 years old--and yet it's still one of the best sellers. Too cool!

The Week

The holidays have come and gone! Can you believe it! We finally had our last "Christmas" related activity, my sons cello concert. His concert was originally scheduled for a couple of weeks before Christmas, but due to inclement weather it was postponed until after the Christmas holiday. It was kind of nice getting to hear Christmas carols after Christmas!

Other than that, we've kicked right in with our New Years traditions. Leptovox, treadmill, weight training...you name it--it's all going on here. This year is my high school reunion, and I would really like to look decent. So hard as it may be, I have to keep it up.

We are currently set to fly into Utah in mid-August, and then home just in time to start school. To be completely honest...I CAN'T WAIT!!

My 2009 Plans

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I am BIG at this! I have a resolution for everything, but this year, I'm bound and determined to see some of them come to fruition. My biggest...getting healthy! Notice I didn't say "losing weight"--I find that to be way to vague, and I really want to make it work this time. I've got my weight loss products lined up and I've even moved the treadmill from the boring, cold basement...to my warm, comfortable bedroom with the Tivo. Yeah, you can just hear my seriousness now, huh!

One pound at a time, but I'm hoping by my 20th reunion this summer, I can have lost at least 50 lbs!! Wish me luck!

We Rent...a LOT

Over the holiday break we rented a LOT of movies. Do you and your family do that? With the Red Box dollar rentals out there, why not?? Sadly, because we rented so many they had run out of my favorite chick flick genre and my last rental turned out to be the Sex in the City movie. Honestly, I think you had to watch the series on TV to get what was going on---but I do have to say, during the final scene when she goes back to her 'former' luxury penthouse for her never worn Manolo Blahnik shoes and meets "Big"...I thought that was the best. Especially after he'd left her at the alter. It was a light movie--truly--no plot to stew over. But it was a nice change, Daniel had forced me to rent "The Christmas Shoes". Great movie! Great, 3 HANKY movie!! So something light after that, was a welcome escape!

Sad News

I just got off the phone with my mother, it appears that my uncle has had an accident. He was snow blowing his driveway this morning when the wet snow bogged down the blades. You know what's coming next, but you know--he thought he was being smart. He turned off the snowblower before attempting to clear the snow. The problem was the blades had been working so hard to do their job, that they actually had wound quite tight before he turned off the machine. He reached in to clear the snow and by freeing up the blades it allowed them to unwind--and no safety equipment around could have protected him from what came next.

He is currently in surgery. He's lost 2 fingers on his right hand, and although they are hoping to be able to reconnect them some how, they really aren't sure if they'll be able to, and if they can--just how much motion he'll recover is really unknown.

It's such a sad way to start the year, but if any of you out there have room for some extras...My Uncle Dave could really use some prayers!

Some Time Away

We are planning a fun get away for just my husband and I. I can't decide if I would rather book a cruise, or find a really nice hotel in downtown Chicago for a really good price. Ha...did you notice that? I threw in the cruise idea, as though there is any space in the budget for that (you did read below about the braces, right??)

Time away is really easy when you live near a really fun city. The hotels in the Chicago area are beautiful and have every amenity possible. From the pop up tv (I will have one of these before I die) to the mini bar to ROOM SERVICE!! I don't care if they charge me an additional 18% to bring it to me...someone else cooks it---and brings it to me----in bed!

I think I'm going to check out one of those "name your own price" websites to see what I can get. We do have a few friends left from our days in the hotel business that maybe we can swing a trade out or something. All in all...I can't wait!

Happy New Year!

I have been gone for the past 2 weeks. Nothing fun I assure you! Aside from the holidays, I have been struck by my yearly bronchitis and it was/is a doozy! I'm finally feeling a little better today and my to do list is a mile and a half long! My oldest in is need of braces--I need to find an orthodontist. Our insurance policy is up for renewal, and because there are now braces on the table--I need to find some cheap auto insurance! I have a menu to plan out for the month of January that fits our budget...and I have to come up with some blog posts for the company blog. Can I go back to bed yet??

I'm sorry for the long absence, and I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Digital Dreams

I have been checking out all of the "sales" for my Christmas shopping, and you know, I'm ALWAYS drawn to the cameras. You know, big-beautiful-professional looking cameras like the Canon Powershot. But what is so sad, even if I got this amazing piece of equipment, I wouldn't know the first thing about using it.

My little brother is a professional photographer, and after seeing all of his amazing pictures of his kids (yeah, his wife is a pro too) the green eyed monster starts welling up in my gut! I do cute things with my kids, and my pictures are garbage. How I would love to not only own a professional camera, but also to have the know how to actually use it!

A Moment On The Future

Schaweet!! That is all I can say! You may remember a few days back I was talking about finding a new insurance company to get an umbrella policy under. I found one that was such a great price, and even better after we added life insurance quotes!

I've thought a lot about life insurance but because we are pretty young, and relatively healthy, but you know...if something were to happen to one of us, the other would be TOAST! Me for income, the hubby for child care and the running of the house. So it was nice to be forced to sit down and think about the future, and plan for those moments that no one really wants to think about!

Happy Turkey Day!!

&

Setting Some Goals

I mentioned watching the Biggest Loser two weeks ago, and how I despise the "troll" Vicky!! I was amazed watching it last night, that the people going home have lost like 75 pounds in 3 months, and that's not with the help of Tonalin or anything like it. Just good old fashioned exercise--I would LOVE to exercise more...but I don't! How bad is that?

I have a treadmill that I was pumped up and excited to use, until we moved, and it ended up in the basement! It weighs a ton, but I'm going to see if I can't get it up to the master bedroom this week so I can walk while I watch "my shows". I know, that's bad...but honestly, it's not getting any use hangin' in the empty, cold basement!!

That is my goal for the week!