Sleepy and Stiff...............

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas................. I did !!! I enjoyed being with my family, as well as with Jerry and his family. If you are an immediate member of my family, then you have seen the following pictures. If you aren't, then you must realize you are only going to see a few of the (close to 200) pictures taken from Christmas Eve until this past Thursday. I will start with Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's.

The Stratman, Pereyo, Freeman, Inman, Arnold Women

* Doing what we do best, being silly!!

Where's Grandma and Grandpa? Our kids are getting SO tall !!!!

Don't ask me what I was doing. Apparently I was being silly hugging Jerry.

Our serious picture...............

Maddi on Christmas Day - more interested in the tissue paper than the treats in the bag.

One of a gagillion pictures taken of Chloe and Olivia opening their presents on Christmas Day!!

Christmas Night..... Olivia and Chloe doing their Yoga video from Mom and Dad.

Now, why am I worn out? After figuring out on Wednesday morning that daycare was closed, I called Jerry (who had to work) to inform him of this travesty. It was not at all what I had envisioned my week to be, but a conversation later, I was keeping the girls for the next 3 days. Did I know what I was getting myself into? Sort of.................. They were actually pretty good and we had our fair share of fits and fun. I am going to need about 4 more days of sleep to get caught up.

As many of you know, I was on the hunt for a pre-lit Christmas tree but was waiting until the day after Christmas to get it. With the girls in tow, I headed to Kmart in Oak Ridge. Was I nuts? Sure I was by 4:00 when we finally left Walmart and the girls were passed out in the back of the car............... this after a major fit. I will definitely rethink shopping with no naps the next time. I do want to say --- Bless Kathy and Kamry ---- they were such huge helpers with the girls. I couldn't have done anything that day without them.

I purchased the tree at Kmart, only to realize that I probably shouldn't have had the girls with me when I did it. Thanks to Kathy and her stellar organizational skills, the tree and 2 booster seats were snug as a bug in a rug. Those girls weren't going anywhere.

I forgot how much fun an empty box could be. Chloe immediately climbed in and many hours later, the box is now a "car". They have insisted on me keeping it for the next time they are here. I do have to say, it entertained them for most of Thursday.

I took them home to Jerry on Friday, where they are today. I slept pretty good last nite except for my stiff neck. It started getting tight on Thursday morning and has gotten progressively worse, even now as I type. Muscle cream, the heating pad, and Advil are my friends, although I don't feel like they are helping. It would be nice to turn Just my head and not my entire body to the left. Hopefully this passes soon.

We are celebrating Kathy's Birthday (which was the 27th -- she turned 36, which rounds to 40 as Kamry told us) this evening by going Ice Skating. I have a feeling I will be watching from the sidelines.

The Stiff and Sleepy Puddle Splasher

Tis the Season......

I am not really sure what to write about, but felt the need to sit here and type. I am thinking Anne and I are taking up the slack for Kathy, who manages to update every month or so : )
Anne updates a whole lot more than I do, that's for sure.
The weekend, including today, has been relaxing to say the least. I am enjoying my break and some extra time with Jerry. It feels weird to sleep in on a Monday, and that today is Christmas Eve................. wow how time flies !!!
I have mentioned it before, but I am amazed at how different my life is from a year ago. I was in the beginnings of dealing with life in the real world, after two months in treatment. I thought I had it made then, but I was wrong as I look back now. Now I am able to stand on my own two feet, say what I feel, and am honestly Happy with me, for me...............and no one else. That is a blessing, a blessing that I actually wanted to decorate a Christmas tree and think about gifts for everyone. I am thankful for those blessings and so much more. Christmas isn't about the gifts, but for me, it is being with my family and watching the excitement in the kids eyes as they open presents and interact with each other. That is the real blessing for me. To truthfully be able to enjoy those moments !!!!
Please pray for my continued recovery and for my family, Anne in particular. That darn Mono bug has kicked her butt once again and it couldn't have shown up at a more inopportune time. Knowing Anne, she will not let it get her down OR she will drive us all nuts!!!!!! It doesn't matter, she's my Anne and I Love her no matter what !!!!!

Merry Christmas to all !!!!

Carol and Maddi

Fa la la la la .............

YIPEEEEEEEEE................... I am on Christmas Break and don't have to report back until Jan. 4th !!!! Of course on my first vacation day, I was up at 5:15 and have a doctor's appointment. The good news is, that I can take a nap in the middle of the day and not worry about getting fired for sleeping on the job!
The 3 days we had school this week were filled with Christmas parties and semester tests. I have all my grades done and in the computer..... ready for them to be put on report cards. I refused to do anything school related this break. I have too many other things I want to do and for once, I don't want to have to worry about it.
I have to tell you all about the influence Jerry has on me............... Last nite, I met him after work at ........................ Gander Mountain !!!! I had never been. What an experience! I didn't realize how many items can be covered in Camo........... even furniture. He had me all over that store. He even pointed out some sort of water britches that I will eventually need when we go fishing. Okay, once again, doesn't that require me being quiet? I am already banned from hunting until enough duct tape can be found! We'll see I guess. I told him that it was too cold to go fishing.
After leaving Gander Mountain, we headed towards Harriman, ate at Shoney's (where it appears that most of Oakdale works), then Walmart ............... oh the joys of shopping with that man!! All over the store......... I lost him, he lost me. Then we found the toy section and that was all she wrote. We had an old man cracking up at us as we made total fools out of ourselves by playing with assorted toys. I have to say, besides the time Yvette and I donned our Club Libby Lu "do's" and laughed hysterically in the card section, it was the best time I have had at Walmart. Many dollars and bags later, the girls Christmas is bought and done ........... I have been done with all my shopping, thank goodness.

Love, peace, harmony, and idiots in Walmart............

Ice Skating and Birthdays........

Skating in a Winter Wonderland....................... Okay, so it was slightly rainy but there was a cool breeze whipping thru the tent down at Market Square. Jerry, the girls and I met an old friend of his and her family for an afternoon of Ice Skating on Saturday. The girls had never been and it has been while since Jerry or I had been. After lugging 2 children around the ice all day, we finally felt the effects yesterday in the form of sore legs and arms. Olivia and Chloe did a great job for their first time and I am sure they are still talking about it today. Enjoy the pictures..... they say 1000 words.....................

Me and Ashton trying to keep Olivia upright.

Me probably telling Olivia which direction we are supposed to skate..... still in teacher mode, even on the weekend.

I loveeeee this picture of Jerry and Chloe !!!! Priceless !!!!

Am I trying to fall or keep my balance????

A typical Olivia face....................

Sunday, we went to Kathy's house to celebrate Joshua and Kamry's Birthdays.......... good eats, good treats, and a house full of people. We had a great time!!! Olivia and Chloe hit it off with the other kids and we stayed for 5 hours, letting the kids play and wear themselves out!!

Jerry and Chloe "cheesing" for me......

Mom and Georgene yacking and cleaning up .......

Angel....... the KG Godfather........ she is a mess. But Olivia and Chloe loved playing with her. Don't let the look on Olivia's face fool you. Angel was talking a mile a minute!!!

Wishing they would blow out the candles already so we could eat cake !!!

The birthday cakes were the 2nd things Kathy had caught on fire ....... a small grease fire earlier filled the house with a small amount of smoke. But thanks to Joseph and the fact that he paid attention in HomeEC, the fire was put out with salt.

Kamry reading her Novel from Grandma and Grandpa.

I do make Joshua clean his face. That acne problem has increased over the day.

MY HOOTIE........ look how precious that face is........

Again, we had a good weekend and I am worn out even today. Joshua and I have to go to school thru Weds, then we are on Christmas Break until January 7th. Yipee............ I have a few doctor appointments and social gatherings to attend, so that will keep me busy.

I am excited about the holidays this year................ I am the happiest I have been and am excited to be excited .................. Plus, I have Jerry and the girls to share the holidays with, along with my Family. I am sure there will be pics and stories in the weeks to come.....................

Until then, Have a Merry Christmas..........enjoy your families.......... and remember what the Christmas Season is really about!!!!!

Love and Mistletoe..........................

Helen Keller meets Charlie Brown

Before I explain the title of today's blog entry, I need to update from the last weeks.........
Last weekend, Jerry and the girls came out to my house so that we could go 4-wheeling for Chloe's birthday (yes, so much like her father). On Friday night, we wanted to take them to a bluff near my house (which we would pass the next day), called Buzzard's Bluff.

As soon as we parked, they were out and on the bluff !!! Jerry is explaining what they are looking at .................. check out their concentration. I love this picture for some reason, maybe b/c they didn't know I was taking it and that the sunset is in the background. While up there, I had Joshua take some pictures of Jerry and I on the bluff................

I thought this one was completely goofy and made Joshua take the next picture too. I tend to like them both.

Our "up close and personal" picture......................
There is a story behind this next picture. Joshua is SCARED to death of heights and had ventured out of the car so that he was not upstaged by Chloe and Olivia. I was very proud of him for facing that fear !!! He was proud of himself too.

Chloe, Joshua, and Olivia............

Our first stop the next day....................... my little cheezers !!!

Yes, this is me........... Yes, I am in Camo, from head to toe, and NO I didn't care. I was warm and toasty inside this camo/fleece ensemble that Jerry let me borrow (no it isn't my camo).
***********Olivia, me, and Chloe taking our own picture.

Fast forward to Thursday evening, Dec. 6th......... Joshua had a JV basketball game. His Grandma, sister, and Mommy were able to come and I know it meant alot to him to have them there. He did Really well, ran hard, had some great rebounds, assists, and passes !!! I did see some "skill" in that boy !!

Joshua is Number 5........... waiting for the other team to mess up so he can take it down court.

I guess he is trying to befuddle the opposing team ........ (he is the one closest to you).
I am soooooooooooooooo proud of Joshua. He is still doing well. We still have our moments, which may or may not consist of a "tune-up". I have had several parents tell me how polite he is and will tell me different stories that make me even prouder of him.

Yesterday, after a week of sniffles, congestion, coughing, blowing, and whining, I dragged myself to the doctor. Diagnosis............. ear and sinus infection. After a 2 hour wait, steroid shot in the butt, nasal spray, and antibiotic Rx, I was on my way home to start getting better.
All I can say today is that I have been up since 6:30, have rearranged Joshua's bedroom, and put up my "Helen Keller meets Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. Now for my poem that will express my true thoughts on stringing the stinkin' lights...............

Ode to Lights

It started with a bang and a clatter.

Maddi ran in to see what was the matter.

She noticed Joshua's bedroom was in disarray,

She knew Christmas decorating was going to consume our day.

I began to pull out pieces and parts of the tree,

Then the strings of lights started scaring me.

I knew what was next after the assembling was done.

I knew stringing those stinkin' lights were not going to be Fun!!

I fought with the lights and Maddi most of the day.

My thoughts and feelings are simple you'd say.

The moral of my day and poem is simple you see,

All I want for next year is a Pre-Lit Christmas Tree.

Maddi lurking from the side of the tree.

Maddi feeling my pain over the lights.

One ornament was harmed during the day.

The finished product..........

I think you can click on the picture and it will make it bigger in another screen, which will only intensify the "Helen Keller meets Charlie Brown" Christmas Tree!!!

**********Click at your own risk!!

Soon to be Pre-Lit Puddle Splasher