My DIY (Do It Yourself) HOME REMODEL in Progress

I have been so happy with Russ and I as a marriage lately. Not that we have ever been "unhappy" but you could call us "unorganized, "unstable financially", "living paycheck to paycheck" However we are changing ALL of that. We have a savings pot. I believe I have brought Russ to terms that we will be in this rental house for another 4 years for sure! So he has allowed me to start making it a HOME! Which can be expensive if your not smart( I am smart by the way). DIY (Do It Yourself) might be a new obsession. My first priority was getting Dalton's big boy room done...you saw in previous post that I did that. I shopped ales for weeks looking for his bed stuff! Next was our main bath, that has been done as well. Its amazing what a new shower head. a rug and shower curtain can do. (30.00) I have been trying to find something for awhile now to go in my kitchen besides clutter ;) We went to what we thought would be cheap, Hobby Lobby... and we found out later that was not the case! I paid 3.00 each for these wooden painted signs above my stove at Walmart (the store that never lets us down) and at Hobby Lobby they were 15.99 EACH! Ya! My my point! Shop for the bargains. by the way, don't you totally LOVE the coffee theme? So me right?! This is a sign that Russ and I found at Gordman's(a great reasonable home decor store) for 19.00 it is going to be part of a headboard thing in our room but I need to shop the garage sales a little more I am looking for something specific. Let me back up a minute..I have NEVER had a themed bedroom, a sexual, sensual bedroom. I have NEVER had a cozy, relaxing bedroom. I am a 28 years old, very loving woman, done having kids and into 4 years of my healthy marriage. I DESERVE A BEDROOM! This bedroom theme idea has come from browsing lots of HGTV sites and DIY magazines. Again, totally a new hobby! Its a cottage like, rustic type bedroom(could totally use your help here Sister Wood). The style resembles how a bed and breakfast might be. So the colors are Chocolate and Blues of all shades.
I 100% LOVE this sign!

I got these little vases in the DOLLAR bin at Target and the Gerber Daisy's at Hobby Lobby. these too are my favorite.

Ok so here's to the Greatness of bargain shopping. The mirror was 3.00 at the Goodwill Thrift Store, the dresser (don't laugh) we found sitting by a dumpster at an apartment complex, turned around, threw it in the back of Sis's blazer and took it home, Russ repaired the leg that was broken and go figure it already had the "rustic" look I was looking for (lol). So that item was FREE. Our bedroom is almost complete, again I need something else for my headboard and then I should be done. Next is Austin's room. (Guitar theme)

I have to add a Extra Special message in here.....

Dear Sister Wood and Brother in Law Ryan. Thank you for making life easier. Thank you for lifting the weight off both our shoulders. Thank you for the random "love you" text messages in the mornings. Thank you for being strong when I need you. Thank you for loving our boys the way you do and for the way Ryan has bonded to Dalton. We will be making the extra time to come there versus you all here.

When ALL Is Right!

I have always been a sucker for a sleeping baby. Problem is Dalton isn't a baby anymore. "Technically" he will always be my baby boy. I snuck in his room and took this picture of him sleeping the other night. Just like his Daddy on his side with one arm tucked under the pillow. Precious!

Knowing A Celebrity

I graduated highschool from Shawnee Mission Northwest. Class of 2000, yes that means my 10 year reunion is coming up. :) I went to school with a class of close to or over 500 some students. Graduation took 3 hours or more and my last name is Underwood. It took forever!!! Little did any of us know at that time that the all genuine, down to earth, most friendly highschool football player, who mind you was kicked off of our highschool team for being caught drinking at a party would go PRO! Ryan Lilja #65 attended a small community college in Coffeyville, KS for 2 years and then transferred and walked on at Kansas State to play football 2 years there. Starting 14 of the 23 games. After that the Kansas City Chiefs signed Lilja as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2004 season. He was released later on, and the Indianapolis Colts soon afterward signed Lilja where he excelled in protecting star quarterback Peyton Manning.

In February 2007 the Colts played in the Superbowl XLI against the Chicago Bears. It was then that Ryan(my highschool classmate) played in and won his first Superbowl game!! I then knew a REAL celebrity :) A true, genuine burly guy, celebrity!!!
The Colts re-signed Lilja on February 19, 2008, to a five-year deal worth $20 million.

He has since suffered 3 knee injuries; to be expected right. However, that doesn't keep him down. I managed to see him play a great game on Sunday night against the Jets in the playoffs...Here we go again to yet another Superbowl.

A quote from Ryan that hit the news..."We have expectations the whole off season and all season: Win the division, get in the playoffs and be playing your best ball in January and hopefully February" Lilja said. "That's the attitude here."

Good Luck to you Ryan Lilja...you deserve every honor,ESPN broadcast, News article etc!!

Ryan and I have talked a little on Facebook and I promise you he is the same guy I graduated with 10 years ago.

Hope to see you at the reunion.

Doing As I Said I Would...

• Filed back taxes (its a process, but I started it)
• Filed 2009 taxes (pain in my ASS, God bless my Sissy and her math degree, plus her patience with me, plus her Turbo Tax program lol)
• Continuing to eat healthy, hoping to see 199 at least on the scales Monday
• Organized all of my personal and "important" files, just have to get a fire box now
• Ordered a new SS card with my NEW last name, ya know that one I got 4 years ago :)
• Called to pay my way past due court fines..so that I wont have anymore secrets. (354.00)
• Sent in 12.00 to get my "official" marriage license--no comments please, I have been lazy and well I happen to enjoy my maiden name and my married name Underwood-Wood
• Stuck to my guns and Dalton is the New Bedtime Champion....that wasn't too bad!
• Drank my 64oz of water

The reason I mentioned all of the above was to prove to you and me that I CAN...I don't have to be a procrastinator, it was just really kind of fun. I do however realize I need to be a grown up *sigh* it's hard work I tell ya.

Anyhoots; called and talked with my Aunt Lily tonight and here is Emily's update:

EMILY UPDATE: She has had a pic line placed in her upper arm. An easier access for antibiotics and to draw blood from. Her WBC is awesome today sitting at 8,000, that's a long way from 36,000 when she was admitted. Through CT scans they did find that she does have an abscess on her kidney so they are going to be administering antibiotics and monitoring her strongly for a couple weeks here in KC. Only 2 more days in the hospital though. Anybody who knows my Aunt Lily knows how cute and funny she is. Well I am talking to her on the phone and she keeps saying "night" like "Well, Emily is doing much better tonight" mind you its only 4pm so we laugh about that and how hospitals wear the heck out of you. Then she states that she has eaten so much hospital food she feels like the girl in the movie "Shampoo"(laughing) I said "You mean Shamu, the whale?" She says "No!" and the nurse and I both say at the same time "Hairspray??" OMG we all started rolling!!! It was great! I could hear Emily cracking up and at the point we were all really enjoying the short phone update! Emily could still use any prayers you have to offer up. Take care everyone!

Update on Emily and Team Woods Weightloss

Update on Emily:
WBC is at 13 this morning this is VERY good, however they will still see an Infectious Disease Doc to explain why it took so long to kick the infection and explain the fluid on her pelvis. Surgery to go in and drain the fluid might be a possibility. Emily was making Lily and I laugh on the phone because she stated that "I have shown more love than her boyfriend of 3 years" lets just blame it on the pain meds! :)

Team Wood:
I am ONLY down 0.2lbs....yes you read it right...point two/tenths of a pound. Hey but its a loss right?!
Russ: Actually gained this week putting him at a loss of 3 lbs total. he wasn't very serious this past week, I think he was thinking a cheat here and there wouldn't matter! Results don't lie! I believe we are now both on board the same boat rough ride and all. We now hand have weights for our activity and a bike to start burning off our booty!
However we LOVE eachother so much that it makes it difficult to push one another. He loves me insanely as I am and I feel the same about him! So here we go.........

Weekend Rewind

Ok so I know I said I was NOT going to post this picture because of how I felt about the way I looked but I just adore Ally and I's friendship. I know it goes above and beyond material things so I decided to go ahead. It had been a year since I had seen Ally. She lives in Wichita which makes it difficult, however she will be coming back here once a month and we are planning to see eachother everytime! Miss you Ally, and love you. I want you to hurry back home. So I pray to God that you get a job offer here teaching that you just cant refuse.On Friday night I hosted a PJ party! It was a blast. Tons of laughter and snacky foods! However we were loud and didn't shut up long enough to paint our toes, we totally forgot! (sigh) In addition to that I forgot to take pictures. I am not kidding when I say we had a blast! More of these to come!

Sunday we were in for a busy day for sure: We woke up at 7 headed for Wally World and shopped. We had to get a birthday gift for Taylor, a girl in Dalton's daycare group that turned 5. She had her party at Zonkers a play place in Olathe. Taylor is on the right in the picture below

This is TROUBLE right! These men are an awesome group, they work together and get along great. Glad they are NOW my friends too. Eric, Russ, and Jess. Yes,Russ has no facial hair. Big mistake!! He was trimming his goatee and screwed it all up. He will have hair by next week, no worries! He did this yesterday and already has a five o'clock shadow today :)

Bubba loved the carousel

He also loved playing Ski ball with Russ. FYI Russ is obsessed with Ski ball!

Yesterday I found out that my cousin Emily was admitted to the hospital in Manhattan where she attends KState. She has Ecoli in her blood, double severe kidney infections and very elevated white blood count, high fever and pain. They also say at some point a cyst on her ovaries ruptured. They have exhausted their efforts at IV antibiotics and her WBC levels wont come down. Tomorrow an Infectious Disease Doc will come to see her. I will update soon.

I just wanted to share with you how gorgeous and kind she is. She is only 21. Please if you have a belief in the man upstairs, please pray for Emily Atcheson and the rest of my family. Hoping to hear better news tomorrow.

On Duty for Bedtime...

This might be very short and not very detailed but this has been routine in my house at bedtime for the last few months:

Dalton goes to bed
Dalton gets up and plays on his dresser
Mommy whoops Dalton
Dalton gets out of bed again.......
Dalton hides in closet
Mommy whoops Dalton
THIS continues for hours.......no wonder why I cant sleep :(

THIS ROUTINE IS EXHAUSTING
(mind you Russ is usually in bed at 7 because of his work shift....)

So this weekend I decided enough already...I did some reading on toddlers and their bedtime wars. Here's what I found.
YOU HAVE TO BE A NATIONAL GUARD.......

What?
Yes!!!

Dalton goes to bed...kiss kiss hug hug
I sit right outside his door...
He gets up
I whoop booty
He gets up again.....
I whoop booty
(I am thinking there is just no way, but honestly there is just no way we can keep doing this every night)
Just at Christmas I was sharing with my family about how Dalton is SO good in his big boy bed "he never gets out" my family tried to warn me then that my time was coming!!! Boy did it ever!

Since he had NO nap today which by the way is considered overtime for this guard because I did this above routine for TWO FULL HOURS this afternoon (a total of 5 whoopins)....not kidding! Dalton WAS going to bed at 7pm tonight!

He got on jammies
kiss kiss hug hug....even read a story about OBEYING MOMMY AND DADDY! :)
He gets in bed
I sit outside door, playing game on phone and texting my sister and Gabby back and forth about how horrible of a Mommy this has made me feel. Like when they are infants and your pediatrician tells you they have to cry it out, they will eventually go to sleep..Yet, knowing he must not break me! Well without a doubt........

Here he comes
I whoop booty
Here he comes again...........
I whoop booty

8pm: one hour later(only 2 whoopins), I am leaned up against the dryer, texting and contemplating actually falling asleep right there on the floor. I won tonight. I held to my guns and stayed strong. However I am purely exhausted more mentally than physically. I know some of my readers might think this is wrong and that I am cruel but I will raise a strong boy and he will respect his Mommy and Daddy. Him getting up like that is dangerous, climbing on dressers or hiding in his closet....is dangerous. He doesn't know that and so I have to teach him. I teach him with CONSISTENCY and STRENGTH!

My Mom said there is a age at every stage.......if that's the case what in the heck is age 4 gonna bring me?!

Dear Bubby,
Mommy loves you and I tell you this all the time. Even after I bust your booty! You will learn...you are so smart and quick. It is true though when they say you will love me no matter what, because after our nap ordeal this afternoon you just cuddled right up on the couch with me.

Tomorrow will be another battle and you are not going to win that one either bubby...

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Why does the mirror lie to us OR is it actually telling the truth? When you look in the mirror do you see the exact same person that you feel you are? I sure don't and never have? I call it reverse bulimia. I feel thinner than I actually look! I honestly think I might be crazy because you would think being down 30lbs I would appear to look good in the mirror or in pictures and I don't! I feel good, great actually! I feel lighter, prouder, as a matter of fact I can sit here and say I am the happiest I have been in a long time(as if I was ever really sad right?). I am content with everything and everyone in my life! I accept all terms of relationships and schedules, jobs and tasks in my life right now! Hello friends...I am down 30 pounds and today after sitting with my gal pal Ally, we took pictures and I came home on this high telling Russ how much I miss having Ally around and how she is everything anyone would want in a friend and to be honest I felt really pretty sitting across from her at Starbucks for almost 3 hours but when I loaded the pictures to my computer, TEARS flowed. I cant even post them. I cant even share a photo of me and a girlfriend I simply love and adore because I look like I gained another 30. How can I feel so good, happy and simple yet passing a mirror or seeing myself in a picture and I feel ashamed and like crying? How and Why?
Do I want to lose more weight? Yes, 50lbs more exactly.
Do I feel good in this skin with my husband? Absolutely!!
Do I feel pretty? Naturally...but not Starstruck Gorgeous
So why? Why when I see the "real" me am I all of a sudden sad and disappointed?
I assume that is when I am starring at reality. It doesn't lie or cheat you! It doesn't say you look good in those jeans when you don't, like a "friend" would.
I will just use it as motivation!!! A picture that I will NOT post but visualize everyday. I will keep moving forward and hope to look back when I AM 50lbs lighter and say WOW!
However I do love Ally and thoroughly enjoyed our time together this morning. We are going to try and commit to more time each month. With her living in Wichita its kind of difficult but family is here and well I am family too.

Just The Beginning

"Each friend represents a world in us. A world possibly not born until they arrive."
Tonight I am hosting a PJ Party! It's a combobulation(A combination of things. Usually in a hectic and chaotic manner, but connected enough to make sense. Similar to concoction, but with less measuring. Like Jumble, but with more cohesion. Usually each part of a combobulation is different and ridiculous enough to require a use of the word "combobulation".)of girls/women/moms in my life that all have something in common. We just can't turn down a good hard laugh at something so cooky! ie: Big Sexy hairspray! These women are of all varieties, shapes, sizes and traits yet somehow under one roof tonight, we know whats coming. Laughter, Semi-Pedicures, Olive Dip, PJ's, Gossip, Pictures and possibly the Cops! hello Ashley Dungan will be here *WINK*
I organized this party and stuck to it...something I struggle with and am making a better effort this year to do as I say or plan! We women have been stressed and overloaded with life's tasks or everyday ups and downs so we deserve a night in my house in our jammies with our olive dip.
"Stress is an ignorant state. It believes everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important. Just lie down"

To a good evening.....

Just A Good Solid Ramble...

So here we are right? Its 8:30pm on Wednesday night and FINALLY(huge sigh) my house is calm. Everything except the dryer is quiet and that object I don't mind, its being productive for me. I had plans with Dessy tonight for some coffee and a little shopping before she heads out all next week to her annual district meeting but we both agreed we are exhausted.
Our server went down at work last Wednesday and we have been down since. What does that mean? It means I cant do anything. I cant post payments, schedule patients, see charts or notes, do my daily reports, answer any questions a patient might have etc. Honestly I have a notebook with 7 pages of things to do and people to call back and appointments to set up. I do LOVE my job and so if I am being a huge whiny booty its because its really never hard work until that thing that makes it really easy (computer) crashes to the ground. Needless to say I have been doing piddly things around the office to kill time why the hygienist(I will come back to her, in another post soon) still works.
I got off early today and got to put in some sister time before heading home. By the time I got home Russ was practically asleep on the couch, mind you it was only 430. I told him like a Mom would, make something to eat and go to bed! This shift is convenient though it is exhausting for everyone in the house!
Instead of setting at home I decided to grab Bubby and head to the local fabric/hobby store. I am starting a couple DIY projects(floating headboard, and crackle painting) so I wanted to open my mind up a little more to exactly what I wanted as far as fabric. I did not see anything that caught my eye, although I did walk out with two really cute colored glass necklace pendents for MWAH! :) so a successful shopping trip it was.
Came home, got Bubba ready for bed, kissed him goodnight and away he went. He sings all of his songs as he falls asleep. I tell him its OK to do so as long as he is whispering, so he doesn't wake Daddy. I know I seem frustrated with Dalton quite a bit lately and to be honest I don't think its him. He is really a good/typical/power struggling 3 year old. Its me, Mommy that is tired and cranky. All he wants is my attention, so I am realizing I may have to be able to give a little more, even if there is only 24 hours in the day.
On the upside of things I hit the 200lb mark on the scales this Monday at my once a week weigh in. That is a great mile marker for me, coming from 230! Just have to keep on truckin.
I also purchased a journal from Starbucks this week. I suggest if you are a woman, who loves to write or tends to think a lot, go grab one of these. They are 8.95 and titled My Life. My Loves. My Lists.
It's one of those books where it hands you a quote that jump starts your mind. ie: "Passion is not necessarily something we have, its something we choose" What are you most passionate about? Then it gives you lines to journal on. Very cool. I carry it in my purse for those down times.
With this wintry weather we sure have got our home all warm and cozy looking. I now have curtains over my accent windows in the living room. We have a dinner table! I have finished the main bath. Completed Dalton's big boy room, and now we have our room and Austins to complete. Our room will be done by Jan.30th. Paint and headboard project goes in there.
Its a HOME (finally)! It's warm and cozy and convenient for us. Thanks to our landlord Russ will be doing an addition once we get all the permits and codes passed with the city. YAY!
OK well I believe that should update y'all for now :)
Gonna go fold that load of laundry and hit the pillow.
PS: Do ya LOVE the new page layout? You know me and my thing for HEARTS! I simply adore it!

Live Like Were Dying

My sister brought this song to my attention through Facebook today. I love this song on the radio. However, I did not know Kris Allen the last winner of American Idol was the singer. Even more great. Why? Look at his life now with just a WIN...all he did was WIN the American Idol competition. He was always talented just unnoticed right? So he put himself out there and well you know the rest!
I picked up a journal today at Starbucks(the devil) and it quotes simple things and then asks you to write regarding that quote.
So I ask. What have you WON? Whether it be material or not. What have you WON and how did you WIN it?

For example: I WON the heart of my husband. In the good times and the bad, I still WIN. 3 years ago I WON. Last night lying in bed with his arms around me I WON! Cheesy it may sound but I consider it a win. Sooooo what about you?


Sometime we fall down and can’t get back up
We’re hiding behind skin that’s too tough
How come we don’t say I love you enough
Till it’s too late, it’s not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come
We could make a feast from these crumbs
And we’re all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you, what would you wish you would’ve done

Yeah… gotta start
Looking at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start thinkin’ it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin
Gotta live like we’re dying

We only got 86 400 seconds in a day
To turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em while we got the chance to say,
Gotta live like we’re dying

Well if you plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbyes
Should be so careful who we live out of our lives
So when we long for absolution, there’ll be no one on the line

You never know a good thing until it’s gone
you never see a crash until its head on
All these people right when we’re dead wrong,
You never know a good thing till it’s gone

Sunday Funday

Jess, not a Dallas Fan...actually a Chiefs Fan but today he supported the Viking's...regardless if his shirt is for the Shawnee Mission West Viking's (a local highschool) he is so darn goofy! Our Crew (Alexia, Mason, Dalton) watching You Tube music videos
Whatever keeps them busy..with parental vision

Russ smoked TWO briskets for Sunday's Dallas Cowboys Game..I got a veggie tray and Bev and Dwight brought potatoes and green beans. Hubby has perfected the brisket this year by far. Can we smoke another meat please? Some pictures of Bubba. He just cannot resist the snow!

Here is a picture of our crew. Dallas did not show up that day against the Viking's this year but hey like I told Russ theres always next year. The kids were attacking the veggie tray so I sent them into the kitchen to eat junk! :) I am the one trying to lose weight here kiddos!

Gabby and her son Mason, proud Cowboys supporters!

All N All good friends, food, and laughter...with a little glass of wine.

Pictures

This is my latest project! I made a collage by taking ONE picture from each month in 2009 off my blog. I created this 16x20 collage! I love it! It seriously warms my heart when I look at it everyday. I forgot I had not posted these pictures that I took in December at Mom and Dads house. They are pictures of pictures that my Mom has displayed on their lower level.

Yes, this would be Ashley, Me and Ryan...
OMG! Hilarious right? I remember Ash and I kept the tags on our sweaters and pants and later returned them after the pictures. We had these professionally taken as a surprise for our Mom.

From left to right. My Uncle Kevin, My Aunt Denise and My Dad. Don't tell me that those Underwood genes aren't strong...

Here is Mom's actual hutch with the pictures displayed. I love it!

Bubba's Big Boy Room.....in progress

Yay! As a major procrastinating Mom I am proud to say that Dalton Lee's room is almost complete. I found a bed set on super sale today at Target! The bed is handed down from Aunt Dessy as the dresser and until today we were also using some hand-me-down Spiderman sheets from her as well. So I am a happy Mom to have been able to find such a bargain and the fact that it's exactly what I have been looking for. He has a collection of Dr. Suess books above his bed. I got him this one the other day, it was also another bargain. You got the Collector's Edition book with shiny sleeve and the stuffed animal character Lorax(Dalton says Worwax). I did let Dalton play with both items until I saw the boy come out in him and decided they would be "different" than the rest of his collection, they sit on his shelf. Along with the puzzle that he and I did together!

His bed and ALL of his books and buddies that sleep with him. Notice the side rail. Russ and I had to install this last weekend when I walked in to see him asleep on top of a pillow in the laundry basket that I had propped against the side of his bed as cushion because he kept falling out. He has no boundaries when it comes to sleeping!
YAY! His SPORTS Big Boy Bed Set!
Ohhhh! One more thing..this also ON SALE super cute rug!! It was a must have!
Ohhhhh Ohhhh one more thing.....notice the crib mattress under his bed. That is for campouts or sleepovers with cousin Jojo!

I am working on a special art project for his room and we do "plan" to buy curtains to replace the hanging comforter...again Room In Progress :)

You Don't Know Him Yet...But You Will

FYI: This picture was taken Christmas of 1967...This is my second cousin Michael Dalton. I have a little more research to do and something to get from my Father before you will know more. I just wanted to share what I have so far which is this picture but I have heard about Michael Dalton all of my life. Hence my sons name "Dalton"

However don't get me wrong its also Patrick Swayze's name in the movie Roadhouse but again that goes back to my TV watching days with my Father....this relates as well.

To be continued.....

I am not sure if Michael enlisted or was drafted into the Marine Core as many 18 year olds were back then. A few years back Russ and I traveled to Parkville, Missouri too see what they call "The Traveling Wall" which has everyone listed who was killed in Vietnam. You give the name you are looking for and a guide takes you to the line where thier name is. Then you can stand in line to recieve a print out like below, that gives details. So we did that. You all know how I like history and this was right up my ally. A relative at that.

Michael Francis Dalton
Private First Class

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Kansas City, MO
Date of birth: 06/19/1949

MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Marine Corps
Grade at loss: E2
Rank: Private First Class
ID No: 2377858
MOS: 0311: RIFLEMAN
Length Service: 00
Unit: F CO, 2ND BN, 27TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 02/16/1968
Casualty Date: 05/14/1968
Incident Date: 05/14/1968
Age at Loss: 18
Location: Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty

ON THE WALL Panel 60E Line 010

Found this in my research as well. Looks like somebody else has NEVER forgotten either. Posted in 1999, 31 years later. However the dates are off a little bit here. This friend says that michael walked away in 67, however he didnt die until 68 stated on the records. I have searched the "Wall" many times and there was no other Michawl Francis Dalton so maybe the gentleman is off a year regardless its neat!

Posted for: MICHAEL FRANCIS DALTON:
Mike, I've been to the wall 3 time's to say hello to you but this is different. Mike there is not a week that goes by that I don't think about you. Your life was taken from you at a time we both had the world ahead of us. I sometimes wonder why I'm here and your gone, what does it mean?
Buddy, I just want eveyone to know that someone is thinking about you and still remember you as you walked away from the pinball machine in '67. Take it slow my friend and enjoy beening 18 forever.
Your Friend Tim

Posted by: Tim FitzGerald
Email: Phitz!@msn.com
Relationship: Friend
Tuesday, September 14, 1999

Nichole's Belated Birthday Dinner

Some friends gathered at a Mexican restaurant, Salsa Grill to help celebrate Nichole turning yet another year older! Her Birthday was technically in December however she was in California visiting her parents for the holidays. One half the group....

Dalton and his GIRL!! He adores "Carwee" Carly. They are only about a month apart! To stinking cute! I call this picture their FIRST date :)
Look at her being all sweet!

Carly and her Mommy Marny (Marny I have known since I was in kindergarten, yes 23 years ago)

The other half of the group.

It was a simple, good, fun night of dinner and laughter. Poor Nichole is just dog sick and cant get better! However she did well putting back 4 margaritas :) Whatever helps the sinus's right? Love ya Nichole. It was a great time. Enjoy your spoiling yourself at Sonic!

Blue Marker??? Where??

I honestly don't know what blue marker you speak of Aunt TT. Perhaps this hat might look well with my blue lips!
I adore my niece Sissy! She is the last of the babies in our family at this point! Plus she is A LOT like me!

Sun Dog Rainbow...NOT Snow Dog Rainbow

I honestly captured this within seconds outside my office. I had never seen a "vertical rainbow" let alone one in the Snowy weather. My Boss informed me that they are called "Snow dog Rainbows" as I researched a little more they are "Sundog" rainbows! Close enough Doc! Just thought it was beautiful and totally different! Sundogs are formed by plate shaped hexagonal ice crystals in high and cold cirrus clouds or - during very cold weather - by ice crystals called diamond dust drifting in the air at low level.

Sundog forming rays enter a near vertical(they don't arch like a regular rainbow) prism side face of a crystal and exit through a second side face inclined 60° to the first. There is net refraction at each face and the light is dispersed into colors. There is no single angle of deviation through the crystal, which effectively acts as a 60 degree prism, but the minimum angle of deviation is ~22°. This corresponds to the distance of the inner edge of the sundog from the sun when the sun is low.

As the sun rises higher the rays passing through the crystals are increasingly skewed from the horizontal plane. Their angle of deviation increases and the sundogs move further from the sun. However, they always stay at the same altitude as the sun.

Sundogs are red colored at the side nearest the sun. Farther out the colors grade through oranges to blue. However, the colors overlap considerably and so are muted, never pure or saturated. The colors of the sundog finally merge into the white of the parhelic circle (if the latter is visible).

It is possible to theoretically predict the forms of sundogs as would be seen on other planets and moons. Mars might have sundogs formed by both water-ice and CO2-ice. On the giant gas planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune—other crystals form the clouds of ammonia, methane, and other substances that can produce halos with four or more sundogs.

Picture Overload Edition

While at my sister's on SISSY FRIDAY I stole some past picture moments. With snow and without snow our families are freakin adorable. We sure have had some great times these past few months. The seasons and holidays sure make extra moments like these special with good family.
Jordyn, Ian, and Lacey

Little ladies at Christmas

Dalton(3) Emmy Dawn(5.5) and Jordyn(3.5)

Ho Ho Ho

Ash and Jordyn Brooke

Princess Jordyn or Joe Dirt

Snow Buddies

Mommy and Bubby "swedding"

Aunt TT giving Eskimo kisses to Sissy

Life Long Lovers, this is SIMPLY my favorite pic by far of Russ and I this year!

The SPECIAL delivery that I sent my Sister on her 30th Birthday(Dec. 29th). With the holidays always in the way sometimes she gets left out. I made sure that was not the case this year :)

WOW! Gonna totally blame this on the Pointelin side of the family, for this could never be an Underwood face.

Hope you enjoyed. More pictures to come later today. Happy Friday everyone!