Hump Day Question

I almost forgot it was Wednesday. Sorry followers, here is your question for this week.

If you hosted a dinner party and had to invite 5 people, living, dead, real or fictional, who would you invite, and why?

At home with 2 crazy dogs

I am at home for the second day. I have not been feeling well, and no mom it's not my UC acting up. I was sick yesterday morning when I took Buddy out in to do his business, and then all day, and last night I thought I was feeling better, but this morning in the shower I got sick again. OH joy of joys, I really love my body. 

Every time I get sick I always sit at home and worry that this time will be the time I lose my job. Don't get me wrong. I work with and for some really really awesome people, but let's get serious here. Since I got UC 4 years ago my attendance hasn't been stellar. I hate it because I can't really control it, and yet I feel like I should. I have been noted on my review every year about my attendance, and I try to do better, but it's so hard to sit at a desk all day when all you want to do is puke your guts out. (sorry a little gross I know), or you are sitting on the toliet for what seems like 3 hours at a time. I have tried to tell my boss that I only take the days when I am at my worst, and he seems to accept this, but some times I don't think he believes me.  And I don't really know what to do about it. 

It really sucks to have a sick body. And I know I totally take my body for granted when I am feeling good. I don't really realize that I am feeling good until I start to feel sick again. I guess I am grateful, that I have learned to live illness, more then I ever thought I would. And I am glad my UC isn't as bad as it could be. Oh I have books and websites and all that crazy stuff that I have read about how much worse things could be. But I still hate it. I still hate having to watch everything I do, and everything I eat. Sometimes I know there are people I shouldn't be around, or things I shouldn't eat, and I do it anyway knowing the consquences. I have to. I have to make sure I know I am still able to be normal. 

The only thing that has kept me going the last two days is Buddy and Gabe. At this moment they are playing their favorite game. Catch me if you can. I am not sure there is any point to this game for them. I think it is just an excuse for the two of them to run around like crazy men. But it is the funniest thing in the world. And watch them wear each other out, and then having them come and snuggle with me on the couch when they are done, is the only joy of my day the last couple of days. Oh they finally tired and want to snuggle again. I'll write more later.

Hump Day Question

Ok Blog followers here is your question for the week.

If you could have one super hero power what would it be and why? 

Flying, invisiblity, x-ray vision, strength, etc...

Dear Santa,

Hi, It's me Tara. Do you remember me? I know it's been about 25 years since I've written you a letter, but I want you to know I think of you every year. I only stopped writing to you when you stopped visiting me. I understand that you have lots of new kids to visit every year so there are no hard feelings.

It's getting close to the time when the women of the Schuler family get together for that annual gathering of shopping till we drop. And even though the Great Pumpkin has yet to come to bring all the kids their Halloween candy yet, I wanted to write to you before we go to the Mall of America. 

I have been a very good girl this year. I have spent time with my sister's kids. I even took them on my vacation that was supposed to be relaxing. I have been budgeting and not spending money even though I really want to buy some new clothes and shoes. And I have really wanted to get some games for my Wii, but I haven't. So please bring me lots of great presents this year. 

Every year people ask me what I want for Christmas and usually I don't have any idea, so this year I have a great list for you to choose from ok Santa. I will put them in no particular order.

Wii Fit

2 controller for my Wii w/ Nunchucks

Guitar Hero for the Wii (my niece Megan I'm sure you know her says that's it's lots of fun)

Wii remote chargers

A throw blanket with a giarffe print

A hitch cover for my Trailblazer

Light Blue by Dolce and Gabanna

a new laptop (I know this is a little out of your price range Santa so if you just want to give me $$$ so I can use it with my tax return money I would understand)

A boyfriend who is really cute and likes me just enough and likes my family ( I know the liking my family might be a little tough, but I can't return them so...)

I think that is all for me, but don't forget my new puppy Buddy. He needs some Christmas presents too.  

He loves squeaky toys, things he can chew on so he doesn't try to chew on my anymore, a Packer shirt, or anything from http://www.mymascot.com/. They have really great Doggy stuff. 

Please say Hi to Mrs. Claus, all the elves, and all the reindeer too. I will watch for you in the malls, and I look forward to your visit in December.

Tara

Sisters

Rivals and Best Friends. 

I remember growing up my sister and I could be each other's greatest ally, or worst enemy. It would be ok for me to take something of hers (in my eyes) but not ok for her to take something of mine. 

We would fight each other like crazy, but if we got it in us to gang up on our brother then watch out. We fought over clothes, the bathroom, TV, what games to play.  If we were playing Barbies and there was a Barbie I wasn't playing with and she picked it up immediately I wanted that Barbie. It didn't matter that 5 minutes ago I didn't even know that Barbie existed. And forget if you were going to get us something. What ever you got the other one's was always better. 

Growing up I idolized my sister. All I wanted was to be her friend. So since we weren't I had to make her life hell. Telling her secrets to mom and dad. Tattle telling on her. Whatever it took to get her notice me. 

As we grew up we have become friends. Don't get me wrong we still have our knock down drag out fights, but in the end we always forget about things. And there are still times I am crippled with envy because of her. But I am extremely happy for her, and what she has. 

Well yesterday at Noah's football game, Megan, and Morgan, and TJ were playing having a great time. And thou and behold right as we were getting ready to leave what should happen. The girls got in a huge fight. Megan did something to Morgan who then did something back to Megan who then did something back to Morgan. Which ended in both girls hating each other and in tears. 

They too can be the best of friends, or the worst enemies. 

Decorating

So Carrin posted pictures of Megan's new room this weekend, and how she was so proud of her decorating and crafting. Well she didn't mention that she gave Todd a very small area to make his own and decorate as he wanted. So I took a picture for you all to see. 

He got the top shelf of one of Megan's closets. Isn't it soo soo beautiful? 

Pay back is a bitch

I gave my sister's kids lots of things she didn't always want them to have. I tend to spoil them a little. But I always thought I was safe because I didn't have my own kids, and if I did eventually she would have forgotten about what I did to her kids. Well I was wrong. 

Yesterday at Noah's football game she gave my already crazy hyper dog, the last of Megan's Rooster Booster Energy drink. He loved every minute of it. And lapped it up. Of course we were both laughing the whole time. Normally he can only sit in one place of 5 minutes. Last night he didn't sit down until it was bed time. Thanks Carrin. I owe you one. 

Lazy Sunday

Today as you guessed it is Sunday. A day for sleeping in. A day for laying on the couch and watching football. A day for doing nothing at all right. God created the world in 6 days and on the seventh he rested. So why shouldn't all of us rest on the 7th day. When did we get to the point where we didn't know how to slow down and enjoy life a little.

Well up until a month ago this is what it was for me. The only time it wasn't a day to lay around all day was when Noah started football and I started to going to them. I have to confess I haven't been very good about always making it.

My typical Sunday BB (before Buddy) I would sleep till 8:30, and lay in bed and watch TV till I got hungry. Then I would make my self something to eat and watch some TV. Usually taking a nap or two at some point. 

All that has changed now. My day so far. 

7:06 I am woken by a wet and cold noise nudging my hand, followed by some licks to the face. I open my eyes to see a set of big brown eyes staring at my as if to say "Come on it's time to get and play with me." 

Ok ok I'm up. Let's go potty and then let's lay back down for an hour or so. Well Buddy likes the potty idea, but not the idea of laying back down. So I laid down on the couch thinking that he could play by himself for a little bit and leave me alone. NOPE. Buddy kept jumping up on the couch and down from the couch. And back up and back down. This went on for oh I don't know maybe 20 minutes till I got up and started to play with him. 

Well all this is going on Megan is downstairs still sleeping. So I get up from the floor for minute to do something. And when I turn around to find Buddy I can't find him. I can hear him, but don't see him any where. Well the little shit has gotten himself stuck. My roommate put a gate at the top of the stairs so her dog couldn't go down the stairs if we were both up stairs. Well Buddy has figured out that if he pushes on the bottom of the gate, it will give way enough for him to sneak under and get down stairs, but he can't back through it. So he sits on the top step and whines or barks until you let him out. 

Once Megan wakes up and we are in the kitchen eating breakfast, and doing a craft project she brought over since her mom isn't crafty. Buddy is in with us. Then we decide to make cookies. So we close the gate to the kitchen. Again my roommate has a gate that goes across the kitchen doorway. She keeps her dog in there when no one is home. Well Buddy has learned that he can jump over this gate. He does it once. I go get him. Now it has become a game to him. He waits until I am not looking at jumps again. And just sits down on the other side. Until I go over to get him. Oh what fun this game is. Finally some how after playing this game about 4 or 5 times, he decides to stay in the kitchen with us. 

Now Megan is downstairs taking a shower, and Buddy played with his dragon ( a stuffed toy I got him) and his ball, and me. And is finally laying down resting. But I know this will last about 15 minutes. And then he will be up and around again. 

So my old lazy Sundays are now replaced with potty breaks, and lots and lots of playing. No more sleeping in, no more naps. No more relaxing. But for all the things I have had to give up. I love the little bugger. He is so cute. And so sweet. He just wants to love and be loved. 

Megz (her preferred spelling)

Last springish Megan started to play volleyball. This was a totally surprise to me. She always seemed to "girly" to me to play sports. She was a dancer, or a cheerleader, not an athlete. She kind of reminded me of her mom in that aspect. But she played soccer once and really liked it. So last year when the moved to Bellevue and found BJSA that offered all sorts of sports for kids to get involved , she decided she wanted to try Volleyball. And she was good at it. 

I am a big sports person. I love to watch any sport in person. Football and basketball are my favs, but now that I live in Omaha and can go to hockey games, and baseball games. I have come to really like those too, put only in person. When I was in high school, I played volleyball, and basketball. I was never very in to volleyball, but I liked it. Basketball however was my sport. I wasn't the best, and in my school I didn't have the right name to play all the time, so I got discouraged and ended up quitting when my knees started to hurt. 

Now that Megan is playing volleyball I have started to love the sport. I watched it on the Olympics, (I never watch the Olympics).  I asked Meg when she first start to play if she wanted some help, some pointers. I told her if she wanted me help to get better I would do what I could, but if she just wanted to play to have fun, then that was fine and I wouldn't bother her. I would just come and watch the games. She thought about for a little bit, and came up to me and said. "I want your help." So now if we have a chance we hit the ball around to work on her control and her serving. I have to say she is getting even better. Her coach last year taught her a serve that she could get over most of the time. 

Well volleyball season is upon so I asked if she wanted to go see a game with me sometime, and she said yes. So tomorrow we are going to see the Creighton Blue Jays play. They are one of the colleges here in Omaha. I am really kind of excited about it. Not just to see the game, but to spend the time with just Megan. She is ALMOST a grown up now. She isn't quite, but she isn't a little girl anymore either. I can talk with her, about things, and she gets them. She is maturing. We usually have a pretty good time together. 

In July came to my house when I was dog sitting Buddy, before he was mine. And she stayed there and watched him, and did laundry, and was a big help. And she has gotten to this point where she actually wants to hug you, and snuggle with you. She never wanted to do those things before. Morgan and Noah I could get to snuggle with me, but she always wanted to be in her room, or playing with friends. Now she actually wants to spend time with her crazy aunt. I hope she is looking forward to tomorrow as much as I am. 

Do You People

Have nothing better to do. My mother and my sister started their blogs to update everyone on what was going on with their families, or their day, and now they have all these blogs that they follow, and blogs that they compete in or whatever. What do you do when you are at work? Do you work? Or do you just sit on your computer all day and read blogs and think about what your next blog will be? Sometimes you blog 2 or 3 times a day. Just some questions to ponder for the next time you are getting ready to post a blog. 

Hump Day Question Time

Ok here is the question for this week. It's one I'm not sure I have an answer to right now, so I am totally interested in everyone else's answers. (Oh and for anyone that isn't a family member that is reading this and I know there are some of you out there) can answer too. )

What song would you have play every time you walked into a room, as your theme song?

Let the Carving Begin!!

Megan, Morgan, Noah, TJ and I carved pumpkins at my house on Saturday. It started out with us driving all the way from Bellevue, to the grocery store by my house, and I realized that I forgot my purse at Carrin's house. So back we went.

When we finally got to the grocery store, I let the kids pick out their pumpkins, and we went to get stuff for dinner, and the stuff we needed for carving pumpkins. We picked up a pumpking template kit.

When we got home and unloaded the pumpkins we discovered that someone didn't put the template kit in the actually cart. We had three of them at one point, and ended up with NONE!! Hmm how does that happen. I guess when you are trying to wrangle 4 kids things get missed.

So first we had to gut the pumpkins. I opened them up and gave the kids spoons to scrape everything out. Well TJ's pumpkin was kind of rotted on the inside, and full of nasty soupy something. And Noah's had mold in it. But they still cleaned them out. The girls didn't like this too much. They kept making eeww sounds.







And then we carved. We didn't have crazy templates so we chose just simple faces.












Well most of us did. Megan of course had to pick something a little more difficult, but that's why we love our Megz.

After pumpkin carving the kids played Monkey in the Middle with the football.

Of course they put the two shortest people in the middle, so it wasn't exactly a fair game. But they had fun, and nobody threw a fit, which is a success in my book.










Then we made homemade individual pizza's, played some Wii. Then we went outside to play in the dark. The kids played Ghost in the Graveyard. It was really cool to see the kids play games I used to play when I was their age. All in all it was a wonderful time. I am so glad I took the time to spend with the kids. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

I just got to

Batch my first Cement Truck!! It was kind of fun! Probably wouldn't be if I had to do it every day. Deb and I have been trying and trying to get Jon, Todd or Toby to train us on Dispatch for years now, and the last month or so we have been short drivers so they have had us cover the phones and stuff, but wouldn't teach us dispatching. Today as I was up there in "the chair" answer questions for customers I had a driver back under and arranged it all, and then batched the load. I learned something new. Man, the only thing I don't know how to do is the mechanic stuff. I could run this place... Yeah right I don't think!!

Makeover Week

Well this week apartently I felt like the creatures in my house were ready for a change, First I took Buddy in for a hair cut and then a a little nip.
Before







After
They had to shave his ears because
they were all matted up. Otherwise
he looks mighty fine.








And last night I went from this








To This
I chopped at least 7 inches off my hair.
It is so cute. I love it





Of course I didn't tell anyone I was doing this last night, and when I walked in to work today do you think any of the guys said anything? No... And of course I said "I got 7 inches chopped off my hair and you didn't even notice?" The response, "Well we noticed, but we didn't think we should say anything."
Me: "What? Do you not like it?"
Them: "No No it looks really good, but we thought we might get in trouble."

Ok this made no sense to me at all, but I guess that is why they are guys. They don't make sense.

Oh Project Runway

... How you have disappointed me this year. I have loved you since the beginning. I watched you before any one else. I have enjoyed your challenges, and MOST of your designers. I love Tim Gunn, and Nina Garcia. I have looked forward to each new episode. But this season, this season you have not fed my hungry for your show. I can't stand the whiny designers. The challenges all seem to be recycled from season past. The only way I can watch the show this year is by DVRing it, and fast forwarding thru most of it. I still watch the beginning where you tell the designers what their challenge will be, and I watch when Tim comes in to dump all over their "Innovative designs" and I watch the runway show, and to the elimation part, but the rest I fast forward thru. I know this is challenging time for you what with the move and all so I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I have to say if after the move you don't "Make it Work" I will have to leave you. I say this with great hesitation, because you are the only "reality" show I watch. But you just haven't lived up to the greatness you have achieved in the past, so please please please come back better and stronger next season, and make me proud again.

Hump Day Question Time

Ok I'm sorry I'm sorry... I said I was going to this once a week, and with having to take Buddy to the vet, and all the drama here this morning I almost forgot, but I did remember in the end so here is the Question for the Week


As a Kid you wanted to be...... when you grew up.
When you grew up you were actually......


Carrin since you don't have many memories of your childhood you can skip the first part if you need to. (only kidding)

Asking for Trouble???

A couple of years ago I had Carrin's kids over to my house and we carved pumpkins. (Since I don't have kids of my own, I have to borrow other people's kids to do the Kiddie type things.) And so yesterday I was thinking it would be fun to do that again this year. I asked Carrin if it would be ok if I took the kids for the day Saturday and overnight. She asked "All the kids" I didn't think about TJ in that mix, so I thought about it and decided sure all the kids. So Saturday after Morgan's Soccer game I will bring the 4 kids back to my house for a day of carving pumpkins and playing Wii, and whatever else may come up. Am I crazy? Is there medicine that will make me stop wanting to do this to myself? Why? Why do I want to spend time with these children? Oh yeah that's right I love kids. Sometimes I feel like the Pid Piper. I can get all the kids to follow me. Um... I could be the bad influence on them all when they get older. Teach them all the things their parents don't want them to know, and then send them back to their parents to deal with it. Ahahaha (evil laugh). Good plan. Good Plan.

Peeing in the rain

It was raining last night when I got home from work, and for a little while after that. So when I got home and took Buddy out in the raining. Pouring rain mind you. He didn't think this was too fun. He did his stuff pretty quickly and wanted to go back in right away. And then he proceed to try and pee all over the kitchen. I caught him before he could each time, but he still tried more then I was exactly happy about. But the good thing about it raining is that he doesn't fight me when I try to wipe his feet off after going outside. He hasn't like this in the mornings after the sprinklers run, but he is ok with it now. He didn't try to fight me at all yesterday or this morning.

A few pictures.

Last night I stopped at Target. Yes Carrin I'm sorry Target. I have to stop there once a week. And I was looking at Halloween costumes for Buddy, thanks to Adrienne. But they didn't have one in his size so I found a Pumpkin t-shirt in stead. I can't actually believe I got the thing one him. He is a little bit of a wiggle worm at times. It was by complete accident I think that it happened. But on it did go. And once it was on. It didn't bother him at all. So yes I will be one of those people who occasionally buys clothes for their dog.

After I took the t-shirt back off of him. And we went downstairs he and Gabriel (my roommates dog) actually played. Yes played. It started out with the usually butt sniffing, but ended in the two of them playing tag. At first I thought Gabe was just giving Buddy a piece of his mind, but then I realized they were both playing. And all I could do is sit back and laugh. I was so relived. I wasn't quite sure Gabe would ever come around to accepting that Buddy was there.

After the playing was done. They decided they were tired and were going to rest. Yes rest, together. I tell no lie. I had to get picture as proof. More for myself, that I could actually prove it wasn't all in my head. Of course this didn't last very long, because Buddy can't seem to sit still for more then 30 seconds at time. But it did happen. As you all can see.

Poor Poor Buddy

Well Buddy will be a new dog after Wednesday. I finally got a hold of the groomers to get him a haircut tomorrow. And Wednesday morning he will go to the vet, to get his shots, and his boy stuff removed. I am sure he will be a little traumitized, but I know it has to be done. I hope he can eventually forgive me.

This Weekend

So this was Buddy first whole weekend at his new home. I don't think he knew quite what it was all about. Toby usually worked on Saturday till about 2, so he was home alone, and Sunday he would be in and out all day.

So on Friday we went to bed about 10, and on Saturday he woke up at 7 in the morning, but I didn't let him get up till 7:30. He actually did pretty good with this. Then we went out to go potty, and he thought it was cool that he could run around, and be a little crazy in the morning. We went back inside, and I tried to lay down again. No Buddy doesn't understand the concept of a nap yet. But after Ruth and Gabe woke up Buddy got to go up and try to play with Gabriel, which isn't working to well yet. They still don't fight, but Gabe still doesn't want to play.

I went to get a pedicure with Carrin Saturday early evening and left Buddy home with Ruth, and Gabe. He did pretty good. He was oh so excited to see me when I got home though. I don't know if he thought Ruth beat him or what. But he acted like it was the best thing in the whole world to see me after 2 hours. When we finally went to bed Saturday night he was so tired he laid right down and went to sleep. I don't think he moved all night. He isn't used to being up all day and having someone around all day.

He is so funny he just is the friendliest dog. He just wants to be friends with everyone. He wags his little tail and looks up at you. I have started to calling him Pumpkin. I don't know why. It just came out yesterday at one point, and now it is kind of sticking.

This morning when I was getting ready he just laid there and watched me. He moved a couple of times but never to anywhere he couldn't watch me. And when I was done he thought it was time to play. So we did for a couple of minutes until I had to put him in the kennel so I could leave for work. As I was watching him this morning and playing with him. I realized how glad I was to have him. He is just fun, and loving. I don't remember what it was like before he was there.

My Family is a little (a lot) Crazy

Yes I know most of you are reading this.

Does anyone else think it is absolutely crazy that a person can get 15 emails at once. My email server updates every minute or 2, so I don't get emails exactly when they come in. I was meeting with my boss in my office because he is going to be away for a week. I was sitting at my desk, and I watch all my outlook update with 15 email messages and couldn't help but laugh out loud at this and then of course my boss asked what was fun, and we all started talking about HOW INSANE THIS IS. I understand why it is happening, but it is a little NO a lot crazy. And this is the family I was born into. There is no changing it, is there?

Picky Eater

Ok so who out there doesn't know that I am a pick eater? Anyone, Anyone? About once a month we have lunch brought in by one of our customer's or vendors or we just buy lunch, and today happened to be one of those days. Jimmy John's (a sandwhich company) brought lunch in for us today because they are new to the area. All they have is cold sandwiches which I don't like, plus the lettuce and tomatoe, and mayo yuck. So anyway everyone is all concerned about what I will eat today, and trying to come up with ways for me to be able to eat a sandwich, which I think is really funny, because it seems to bother them more then it bothers me that I can't have a sandwich.

I don't expect special consideration to be made for me because I chose to be picky. I have no problem making consideration if there is a medical reason for it, or religious reason, but this is just because I am who I am so it's no big deal to me, but I guess it is a big deal for everyone else. And I just have to laugh at all the guys trying to come up with a way for me to want to eat a sandwich. Thanks Guys!! But that's ok don't worry about me.

Since Everyone Else has a Weekly Post

Yes yes, I am a follower!! I will try this out and see how it goes.

I have books and games and all sorts of "Getting to Know You" things (I think this comes from being a manager at the bank and having to do so many "Ice Breakers" and "Team Building Exercies"), so I was thinking that I would put out a question a week and let everyone post their answers. So every Hump day you can check in and put out your answers. If it goes well and people respond I will keep doing this, if not then... It's all your faults!!

So here is the first question I'll start out easy!! In Honor of our annual Christmas Time Boys vs Girls Trivial Pursuit Challenge


Do you enjoy the experience of playing games, or do you have to win?