Thank you very much President Ford.

Thank you President Ford for being President. Not only did you step up to the plate when Nixon resigned, but you pardoned him after he failed the US. I didn't really know that much about you until you died. You see, you weren't president while in my lifetime. Last night, they have had all kinds of news shows about you and your life and you seemed like a nice guy. I liked how you wore your robe in the White House. I liked that you withstood alot of criticism. I do not like that you appointed Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. I think that is where you messed up. I am happy to hear that you also think they suck (ok, those are my words and not his)and have helped make our government even more secretive than it already is.

President Ford, may you rest in peace. I will also be resting on Tuesday morning when I don't have to go to work because of your National Day of Mourning.

Year end wrap up. This year has been relatively calm. Noone in my family died, noone was majorily injured, and noone was married. My girls did get a new baby brother courtesy of their dad. This was a year for health problems though. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. So that sucks. All in all, Beau and I had a good year, I took ownership of my first ATV and pushed my fears a little. I started this blog, which I do enjoy writing on. I have really came to love photography and got an awesome camera for Christmas. This year has had its ups and downs but I will put it into the books as "good".

As for New Years, Beau and I are going out with friends. It should be fun.

And for the upcoming year, my resolutions will be the same as every year: Lose weight, get financially stable, yada, yada, yada. I think maybe I should add on another one, and it will read "Actually fulfill resolutions."

Everyone have a fun and safe New Years!

Good news/Bad news

Bad news first. I didn't get my home equity loan. My credit isn't good enough. Of course, that is because of late payments, and that is partially what I wanted the loan for. I will just keep on saving money and trying to pay stuff off.

Good news is that Christmas was wonderful. Not only did I enjoy spending it with all of my family AND Beau's family, but I received a totally awesome gift, among all other really great gifts. Not one of them were bad nor will I return. I love family.
I got a Canon Powershot S2 IS. It takes great pictures. Check out my Flickr to see examples. I believe I uploaded only about 8 of the 233 pictures I took over 4 days. Most of them were just test shots so I could play with the functions on the camera. I am so intimidated by it. I would love to take a photography class now.
Other things I got were:
Fuzzy socks, mystery novel, sueded blanket, Happily Ever After perfume gift set, cash, shopping spree, gift cards for Walmart and Red Lobster. Beau and I also got movie tickets and a Texas Roadhouse gift card. The girls made me this cute little pillow, it was so sweet and it matches one of my comforters.

I feel that I was incredibly fortunate to receive so many nice gifts this year. I am most thankful for having such a wonderful family. They truly are the best.

Things to do today.

1. Work on report at work.

2. Eat delicious BBQ Meatballs I made for Beau's work party last night.

3. Figure out what the heck to get my brother for Christmas.

4. Clean the house for the upcoming Christmas Family Party at my house on Sunday.

5. Get stuck in a bathroom stall at work sans toilet paper and have to wait for almost 5 minutes until someone walks in, to calmly say, "Um, excuse me, could you pass me some toilet tissue?"

At least I got one thing done today.

I got a bit tipsy on Friday night.

So, I haven't posted in awhile. I seriously have just been lazy. I do that sometimes. Things fall in and out of my interest.

Friday night my trainer Jason, pictured above, took a bunch of his clients out for Christmas. I had only 2 margaritas and I was very tipsy. I am such a cheap date.

Saturday I worked nearly all day long. I made decent tips, which I would later blow at Walmart.

On Sunday, I blew the aforementioned tips and then some on stocking stuffers and groceries. I also stood Jason up at the gym. I overslept AND forgot. I remembered at about 1:00 pm and a resounding "OH SHIT!" came blaring from the bathroom shower. I rushed to my phone, called him, and groveled on about what a piece of worthless shit I am for 5 minutes. Of course, he is completely fabulous, and forgave me (most likely just to shut me up because I sounded overwhelmingly pathetic).

This week I have a work Christmas party on Wednesday (cheese, sausage, crackers) and Beau's Christmas work party on Friday. Then Christmas dinner with his Dad and family on Friday, cleaning almost all day Saturday, and Christmas Eve with my family AT MY HOUSE on Sunday. I know there is at least 1 more Christmas with Beau's side and then we are done.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I will try to post again before that time :)
Kristine

Happy Birthday to the Woman Who Labored Me

Happy Birthday Mom!


My mom turns 45 today. No really, flip those numbers, but she looks 45 minus the gray hairs that she most likely got from raising me. I would credit the rest of the kids (4 of them) but I think I was the biggest handful. I was:

1. The first child pushed from her hooha.
2. The kid who would not take a binky.
3. The child who could call cattle (like her great-grandfather) from a mile away.
4. The kid who would sit at the top of the stairs and scream until she carried me to bed EVERY NIGHT.
5. The child who would pull her pillow and blanket into the parents room and sleep on the floor next to mom's side of the bed, blocking any access out of her side of bed.
6. The child who tested her and pushed her in every way possible.

My mother is kind, caring to a fault, can empathize like noone I know, works hard, has values and principles, is respectful of people who are different than her, is incredibly affectionate, and is someone who I look up to daily. She is the one person I can always count on to be there. She will listen to me, and talk to me about anything, even if we both know we will never agree. I am happy that the things I got from my mom are her curly hair, her face and skin, her body type, her committment to loved ones, her loving and affectionate ways, and her passion for thinking about and helping other people. She is my best friend.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday mom! I love you!