Goodbye 2007....Hello 2008

I am cheating and borrowing some of the questions that Anne used in her blog........... Thank you Anne!!!
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Bought a car and had a deer hit it 29.5 hours later !!!!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?I don't recall making a resolution last year......
3. What countries did you visit?
Like Anne, I am guessing Hilton Head won't qualify as a country huh?
4. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money
5. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 10th --- Jerry and I had our first date.................... And Sept 27th ---- the day he said he loved me
6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving on my own............ finding out who I was and being happy with ME!
7. What was your biggest failure?
Forgetting those around me from time to time.
8. What was the best thing you bought?
My car (SUV)
9. Where did most of your money go?
CO-PAYS and Bills
10. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My first Dates with Jerry
11. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Take me There" by Rascal Flatts (it came out when Jerry and I first started dating: )
12. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier........ way happier.
b) thinner or fatter? according to pictures..............Thinner
c) richer or poorer? what is being richer anyway????
13. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Jerry's family.
14. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I can finally say, without a doubt, YES!!!! He is my blessing.
15. What was your favorite TV program?
Anything on Discovery Health or TLC, although I have come to love "Mythbusters".
16. What was the best book you read?
Since I have no time to read, I will have to say the 8th grade Math Book I teach from.
17. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Josh Turner and the Celtic Women (thanks Anne)
18. What did you want and get?
A caring, loving boyfriend who continually makes me laugh and smile.
19. What did you want and not get?
To win the lottery................ even though I have never bought a ticket.
20. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I can't remember......... I think I came home and did nothing. I turned 37.
21. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
if it's clean, and it fits, it works.
22. What kept you sane?
THerapy............. Meds...............THerapy..................Meds
23. Who did you miss?
Yvette
24. Who was the best new person you met?
Jerry
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
I have to be happy before I can make someone else happy.
26. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"If you're going thru hell, keep on movin', don't slow down, walk right through it....."

My neck is better. After a weekend of being sick and immobile, I woke up New Years Eve Day to discover that my neck was 75% better. Boy was I relieved!! I had to be up early for the cable guy to be here between 9-11 (he came at 10:30) to determine why my internet was acting funky. Cause of problem............... chewed on wires outside of my bedroom, culprit: Maddi.
Jerry and the girls got here about 11:00 to spend New Year's Eve and Day with me. We ended up going to a park in Kingston where Jerry and the girls had great fun pelting each other with the Nerf guns. We each have one and you can only imagine the havoc we can wreak.
Chloe shooting at her Daddy (look for his head)

The girsl attempt to reload and find their daddy.

Jerry trying to reclaim all of HIS darts......... yes they are labeled.

After the park in Kingston, it was to the house to potty and then on to the Harriman park. Jerry and I kicked the kickball back and forth for over an hour............... and were completely whooped. By the time we were done, we were hungry, so it was off to El Canterino's for dinner and then errands. We were back home and relaxing by about 6:30. We watched t.v., the girls colored, and then Midnight came and went............... right in the middle of a show about tornadoes. Oh well, at least Jerry and I were together. Some people I know had significant others that had to work the nite shift.
Jerry left early on New Year's Day to go hunting and when the girls and I got up and got ready, we went and met him on the bluff for a day of 4-wheelin'...............yes, it was incredibly COLD, so it called for multiple layers of clothing, including camo. We went a different way and discovered some beautiful overlooks and trails then ended up at "our" bluff, as the girls call it. Jerry built us a fire and we relaxed and played for a couple of hours. I was sad when they had to leave to head back home, but I am so glad I got to spend those 2 days with them.

Jerry helped each of the girls out on the rock to see the view.

Mr. Camo and Chloe chillin' on a rock.

I took my Christmas decorations off the tree, left those stinkin' lights on there and chucked the tree. I was not going to mess with taking the lights off when they made me so crazy putting them on. By Tuesday nite, my living room was back in order with some minor changes to the decor. New year, new view I say.

I spent Wednesday being a bum and doing a little bit of nothing. I had a doctor appt at 8:20 Thursday morning that lasted until 11:45. Not sure what is going on with me, but I have to go to a neurologist on January 21st for a consult. No need to worry just yet. I will let anyone know when it is time to worry. (sound familiar Anne?)

Friday I had to report back to school for an Administrative Day................ we had 2 wonderful speakers and then lunch and then working in our classrooms. By the time I got home from me and Joshua's various errands and appointsments, it was 6:30. I was shocked to see Maddi in the neighbors driveway walking around, since she is supposed to be on her tie out in the backyard. In a nutshell, she had broken free from the other one, still sporting the clasp and part of the tieout. I spent yesterday morning at Lowes concocting a sturdier tieout, something that I could make. THanks to the young man in hardware, I was able to understand and duplicate what he showed me. I happy with the new tie out and hope that it lasts for a while.

Our students come back tomorrow, the 7th. Ask me if I am ready? As ready as I'll ever be. Plan wise I am ready, mentally I think I need to find a job where it is okay to take 2 hour naps in the middle of the day. : )

Hope everyone's 2008 has gotten off to a good start.......... I can't complain so far. Small blessings are all around us........................ enjoy them while you can.

The Napping Puddle Splasher and the 4-Legged Escapee

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..........................