Time To Break It In

Allison, Karter, Jameson, Gage and my Mom are coming for dinner tonight. On the menu is Chicken and Almonds with Oyster Sauce, Ham Fried Rice and Steamed White Rice. And as always, Biscuits and Honey for Jameson Peter :)
My new dining room set was delivered this afternoon so we'll see how functional it is.

Fish Kisses

Allison and I took the boys to the nursing home yesterday to visit my Dad and Grandma. On our way out, we stopped to look at the big fish tank. When Gage saw the big gold blowfish, he insisted it wanted a kiss :) I'm sure glad I keep a camera in my purse :)

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden

Jim sent me roses every year on our anniversary. For 33 years I got a dozen roses on April 28th. My girls have continued the tradition so I have gotten a dozen roses every year for the last 36 years. In the last three years, the card has been signed from my grandsons. This year's card is from Alex, Jameson, Gage, David and Baby Slotter :) I am so glad my girls haven't forgotten what a special day this is for me. Thank you, I love you both! And all the boys you've brought into my life!

36 Years

Today would have been Jim and my 36th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe it was that long ago. Harder yet to believe he's been gone almost 3 years :(

Dad

My Dad has pneumonia and is convinced he is going to die. In fact, he wants to die. Every time I go to see him, he tells me something else related to dying. Such as who he wants his watch given to, which funeral home he wants, which minister, etc. Poor guy. As bad as it sounds, I hope he gets his wish. The life he has at the nursing home is no kind of life for him and he hates it :( I love you, Dad!

Erica Does Her Magic

I've decided to start taking Stella to the groomer every week now instead of every other week. She's so fluffy and clean when she gets done and she smells good too :)

Dining Room

Allison went shopping with me today and I bought a new dining room set. I went with the pub height and 8 chairs so that I can also replace the two that sit at my island. Even though the ones I have now have probably only been sat in a total of a dozen times. She's getting my old set :) We're both happy.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Kathy's back in ND for the summer :)

Why Is It??

The only time you find clothes you like and that fit, you can't afford to buy them??!
I went to Bismarck yesterday to shop for some new clothes. Decided to splurge and buy whatever captured my fancy. Uh, yeah, I came home with a pair of jeans I didn't need, a pair of shoes I didn't need and a new wallet. You guessed it, I didn't need that either.

However, I do need some new tops and of course, could find NOTHING! Why don't they make tops about three inches longer for those of us that are over 5'2"?? My belly should never see the light of day. Surely, I'm not the only long, lanky, old woman out there?

I Hate Northwest Airlines

I just bought tickets for my Mom and I to go to Colorado Springs in August to visit my sister. We're flying out of Bismarck because the tickets were $200 more to fly out of Minot.

Dinner at Grandma's

As the kids were leaving last night, Jameson stopped in the doorway. Looking up with a dirty face and crusty, snot-nose he said, "Fanks for supper and I love you."
Enough to melt a Grandma's heart, crusty nose and all :)

Ole!

I'm meeting Joe for lunch today at the new Mexican place. YUM! We decided what we're having Saturday night while having dinner at Up The Creek. That should tell you how much we love this place! :) We're getting Nachos Rodeo and a Shrimp Chimichanga and plan to share because we both want both but couldn't possibly eat that much. Even though we both eat like pigs! It's sure nice to go out to eat with your brother because we don't have a problem with eating off of each other's plates :)

Life

SUCKS! :(

Girl's Night Out!

Happy Hour tonight at the Lucky Strike :)

Dinner Guests

Jane & Marty came for dinner last night :) Stella loved having one of her favorite women over and was thrilled that Marty wanted to play with her after dinner. She's a little leary of men but warmed up to him very quickly. Didn't take long before it was all about him, with a few surprise kisses for Jane thrown in for good measure. It's so nice to have dog people over. I didn't have to watch her like a hawk or make any excuses for her. They're comfortable people and I enjoy having them here.

Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma

Grandma:100 Mom:81
Grandma:100 Me:55
Grandma:100 Allison:34

He Took One For The Team

Poor Joe. At Sammy's tonight, the waiter spilled a full glass of Diet Pepsi and ice down his back. Poor kid was absolutely horrified. For a second, he couldn't even speak but then apologized all over himself. He even offered to run home and get a dry shirt for Joe. Joe was very gracious and assured the poor embarrassed kid he was just fine. And, he took $5 off our bill as an apology so the rest of us were pleased :)

Allison, Karter, Jameson, Gage, Mom, Nate, Grandma Roll, Caleb, Joe, Shari, Stephanie, Emily, Matthew and I were all there. We demolished 5 large pizzas, an order of cheesy garlic toast and quite a few salads. There's nothing quite like a Sammy's pizza!

Nate's in Town :)

Family party tonight at Sammy's :)

Dear Sarah,

Is that a no?
Love,
Mom

My New Favorite Quote

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
Dr. Suess.

Help!

Dear Sarah,
I got the Gentle Leader today. I didn't watch the video but have looked at the instructions. I am intimidated.
If I watch your boys while you're here, will you train Stella to use this?? She does know sit and I'd like you to train her to not jump on people we meet while walking too.
Are you up for the challenge?
Love,
Mom

Two Things

Two Names You Go By:
1. Mom
2. Grandma
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Jammies
2. Robe
Two Things You Expect in a Relationship:
1. Honesty
2. Respect
Two of Your Favorite Things to Do:
1. Cook
2. Read
Two things You Want Very Badly at the Moment:
1. Nothing
2. Nothing
Two Pets You Had/Have:
1. Stella
2. Killer
Two People You Know Will Fill This Out:
1. ?
2. ?
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Cooked dinner
2. Dishes
Two Things You Ate Last Night:
1. Tacos
2. Chocolate covered dried cherries
Two People You Talked to Last Night:
1. Bruce
2. Mom
Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow:
1. Laundry
2. Go to post office
Two Longest Car Rides:
1. Minot, to the tip of Maine and back through D.C.
2. Minot down to Texas and back through Missouri
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Fourth of July
Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Coke
2. Water

Your turn :)

Taco Time

Matthew was at my Mom's today when she happened to mention she was coming here for tacos tonight. He said he wanted to come too and that maybe he'd just show up on my doorstep. His Dad was told him, "You can't just invite yourself!"

Mom laughingly told me about it while I was at the nursing home today. So, I called Matthew and stopped and picked him up on my way home. Because, he CAN invite himself to dinner at my house, any time he wants :)

You Know Who Your Friends Are :)

When Jim was alive, other than wondering what to cook, I never gave dinner time a second thought. Now it's a bore and I hate sitting at the table all by myself. It makes me feel pathetic. I usually grab something quick just to fill the void and get it over with.
So, when Jane invited me out to dinner with her and Marty tonight, I jumped at the chance. And bless their hearts, they sure know how to make a person feel good. I never feel like a third wheel, even if it is Saturday night. I'm sure grateful they're my friends.

I Called The Asshat

And asked him what he wanted last night. He said that Stella had been outside for 45 minutes barking. That's absolutely NOT true! She has never been outside for 45 straight minutes and when she is out and starts barking, I make her come in. I told him that. He said, he didn't mean that she was barking the whole time, only that she was out there for 45 mintues, he'd timed her. I asked him if he'd seen her. No, he hadn't but he was in his garage and heard her. There are three condos between his place and mine. I asked him again if he'd seen her out that long. No, he hadn't. I told him he'd have to come and look next time because she absolutely was NOT out there for 45 minutes. She may have been in and out a couple of times in a 45 minute period but like I said, she has never been out there that long. And I always make her come in if she starts barking.

So, I decided to go next door and ask if they had a problem with my dog barking. Both the man and woman said they never hear her bark and it's not even an issue for them. I then called the guy who lives behind me. No, he hasn't heard her bark either and doesn't ever see her out for more than a few minutes at a time.

She is not out before 7AM or after 10PM. And when she goes out at 7AM, she does her business and always comes right back in.

So, FUCK YOU Mister Retired Minister!! Get over yourself!

GRRrrrrrrrr..........

When Stella goes outside, she knows she's not supposed to bark. When she does, I make her come inside. She does really well but sometimes it gets the best of her and she just has to bark. She's a dog. And although I try my best, sometimes I may be in the bathroom and not able to bring her in for a few minutes. No big deal, right? She's not out before 7AM or after 10PM. And if she barks, it's usually in the afternoons when people are walking or jogging by.

So, last night, a few minutes before 10, she started to bark, I immediately made her come back in the house. However, in the time it took for me to get her in, my neighbor three doors down called. I didn't answer the phone cuz it only rang 3 times and I was busy getting her inside. This is the same neighbor who called me when the wind chill was 55 below zero to tell me she was barking when I'd already let her back in the house. And she'd been out a total of three minutes. What a bastard!

The condo by-laws say I can have a dog. Dogs bark. Plain and simple. She's never allowed to bark for more than a few minutes and I am vigilent about it. He needs to get ear plugs, get over himself or find a place that doesn't allow dogs. And I plan to call him this morning and tell him so, the jackhole!

Waiting...

Stella is not allowed downstairs. So, when her favorite person, (other than me) decided to go downstairs, she sat at the top and cried, waiting for Allison to come back upstairs. It sure seemed like an awfully L-O-N-G nap!!

All Is Right In My World

The sun is shining, Stella is sitting on my lap snoozing, I just had my favorite breakfast and I get to pick Gage up from Day Care and take him to Preschool later. (Read, Grandma gets kisses and hugs this afternoon.)
Tomorrow, I'm heading back to Bismarck for some business and then will continue on to Hazelton to pick Austin up and bring him back to Minot with me. Stella is going to stay with her sister. YAY! I'll have a Friday night dinner date on our return through Bismarck :) Who cares if he's only six? :)

YIKES!!

I just booked airfare for Jameson and I to go to Boston in June. $1,466.00 It sure sucks to fly out of Podunk!
Hope he has a blast!