Absolutely exhausted....

....I'm not so sure that I'm going to be able to take as much of this new medicine as I'm supposed to. I'm supposed to work my way up to 50mg, and took 40mg last night. Am dead on my feet today! *sobs*

...Other than that, not too much to ponder or inform. I've really got too much going on and not enough time in which to accomplish it. I need to get my tax information to my daycare parents today, need to bake 2 dozen cookies for the Hawaiian Luau dance tomorrow and go to the library. And don't forget the two craft projects I've promised people. *sigh* I'll get it all done, I'm just not sure when.

...But for right now, I'm simply savoring the calm which is my house. For this very second...subject to change the next time I breathe....

OK....

....so I just checked out my account....you SOOOOO haven't been clicking. And I daresay that I'm not going to post until you click some more. So click, damn you, click!

The Good Old Internet.....or Interent.

...ok, for starters, go give Nancy some love. she sure could use it right about now. it amazes me how people can be hateful to people. people, especially, that they don't know. then again, would you be that hateful to someone you really did know? I think not. And everyone says stuff that others would constrew (spelling? sheesh, all these toddlers have me off my spelling game, i tell you!)

...second, I have abandoned you, my faithful following, for a book. yes, sue me, a book. Fourplay was a good book. It's up for grabs if anyone wants it. Gimme your address, and you shall receive a book.

...thirds, it's been a crazy-ass day. i just found out that one of my daycare families has bounced their zillionth check to me. it's really starting to wear me out, especially at the thought that i could get two more kids to replace her two and make 90 extra bucks a week. *kicks self in arse for being too nice* i hate hate hate confrontation, and am not sure what to do about this.....I am going to suggest she pay in cash from now on, though, as neither she nor i can afford this much longer....

...and finally, i still love you, judy, even though i'm not sat at this puter all day. ;)

Aquadoodle....

...hope the inventers are cashing in, cos it's worth the buy! I just got mine off ebay for a deal...two mats, two doodle animals, and four pens for the cost of nearly what one mat would cost, two on a good deal....

A Nice, Laid-Back Weekend....

....and when I say Laid-back, I mean LAID-BACK! Aaron let me sleep in until.....NOON yesterday. I can't even begin to think about the last time I was able to sleep in that long....wait,yes I can...it was when I'd puked the night before...

...So I worked on an album that I've been commissioned by a friend to do. I didn't get very far. But I know that I need to finish it soon, because her friend's shower is less than two weeks away now. *bites nails*

...In the evening, we went to Half Price Books, where I found some clearance deals, both for myself and for the daycare. Currently, I'm reading a book called Foreplay...a Brit book. Is good so far.

Other than that, not much ado, other than the odd game of Literati, which I'm for shit these days. To think I had a rating of 1992, to have it squashed! GRRRR.... lol

Out of the Mouth Of Babes....

....so in effort not to say "for fuck's sake" as is one of my past favorite phrases, I've taken to saying "God bless it!" Perhaps a little less drastic than FFS, but, in Aaron's eyes, cussing nonetheless. Well, we'd just eaten some ice cream, and Griffin was crawling around on the back of the sofa behind me (as is customary, but grates on poor dad's nerves), when all of a sudden, he says "God bless it!" *snort*

...Watch what you say, mom!

And I Bring You....

....another point to ponder....

Why is it that kids will not eat pancakes and smoked sausage when you feed it to them at BREAKFAST, but will snarf it down when you feed it to them at LUNCH??

Do they already know the beauty of the "forbidden fruit," the "out of the ordinary?"

Crazy Busy.....

....So we've been busy the past few days. I feel like I run around in circles most of the day. Of course, who with five or more toddlers in the house wouldn't be running around in circles?? I average six extra kids per day, which equates to seven at lunch, plus a baby to feed. A reluctant baby, I might add. She really does not like the fact that I'm coming at her to take this artificial nipple. She really quite prefers to take her meals directly from the tap, thankyouverymuch. Otherwise, she really couldn't be a cuter kidlet!

...Speaking of cute kids, I went to see Collin's class play yesterday. A daycare grandma, who has plenty of experience with daycare and is a terrific friend and source of information, came to stay with the sleeping kidlets while I went to watch it. Collin was sooo nervous, but did a good job with the play. He was Pecos Bill in a story about....Pecos Bill. It was a very cute play. Supposedly it's a tradition for the third grade to put on. Anyway, I was so elated to be able to show!

...We're all still battling our sniffles here. I'm seriously happy that it's not the flu. Though, I'm still wondering when we'll get hit with a bout, other than the R.A.P.'s (Random Acts of Puke for you newer people) that I've been afflicted with on occasion (no, I'm not pg.; the "procedure" took). I wonder about that as much as I wonder about the blizzard that we're going to get. Cos both are sure to happen. Everyone say a little prayer or think a little thought that these do not happen simulaneously!

OK, off to burn a Wiggles CD for someone. You know...the important stuff.

A-CHOO...Cough, Hack, Puke....

UPDATE ON THE DAY....day is made better when all five contracts are back and to my satisfaction! Go ME!!! :D



.... OK, so it's not as bad as what Katie's been going through lately with the illnesses, but it sucks in it's own right! Griffin's been needing breathing treatments throughout the day and NIGHT due to his wheezing and coughing. He's coughed so much and so hard that he's been coughing up phlegm and who knows what else.

...The rest of the family has this cold that only makes you shitty to everyone around you and also makes breathing difficult.

.... Go me.

Momma's Got a New Pair of Shoes.....

...so my mother-in-law did a wonderful thing for me this year and gave me a Kohl's gift certificate. She's done this before, and I never found a pair of shoes. This year, however, I found a pair of shoes that I think will help me with my hip pain. It has seriously gotten to the point where it hurts when I stand on it just right. So badly, that I feel that I want to puke. Do you know how much I hate feeling like I'm falling apart? For fuck's sake, I'm twenty-eight years old...not fifty-eight. This sort of thing isn't supposed to be happening already! Anyway, I found a new pair of shoes. And I'm hoping that they'll do what they're supposed to with regards to my alignment. They say that sometimes these sorts of pains actually stem from the way you stand and the types of shoes you have. Well, I spend most of my day barefoot, so I'm not really getting much support. Not a wonder that I've got pain, eh?

...so I'm figuring out whether I can eat "At the Border". I went to Taco Bell and got two Cheesy Bean & Rice Burritos. They are so good, it would hurt my feelings if they were the cause of the other night's bathroom debacle.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday!

A Very Tired Mommy Indeed....

.... I worked out yesterday, which was awesome. But I'm very very tired today. The exercising didn't do anything to make my hip pain (sciatica, maybe?) any better, but it didn't help it.... I think that the new stairs and trudging up and down with babies is catching up to me. *sigh*

....So I went to the post office for the first time in a few years yesterday. I was so happy to find out that it is open until 7:00 pm! It used to close at 4:30, so this is certainly an improvement for people like me, who work until 6:00 or later every night!

....Other than that, not much ado. It was a laid back day yesterday, with only four extra kidlets. Today I have six extra, so it won't be as laid back.


.... So, go check out my Current EBay auction...know anyone who needs a sofa? User name: scrapbookingsteph .........apt, no? ;)

OMG...too funny....

so...i was looking at the ads (on the right over there...go click on 'em! ;) )....and after my last post, it has ads "Single in Indianapolis?"...do people who have foods that don't like them generally remain dateless?? ROFL

Other than that, not much ado Chez Byers. Just got done doing a Tae Bo workout. Gotta love it. riiiiggghhhtt.

A Tiring Day...and fears confirmed....

....Three of the five contracts have come back signed. This makes me happy. Two haven't come back, which doesn't really worry me much, though my bank account is literally sitting on EMPTY. Frustrating. But if I have to put an ad in the paper if these guys go away, so be it. They WILL NOT find someone who will do as much for them on the rates that I have, so if they choose to go somewhere else, bully for them. I'll get two more kids to fill their spot who will abide by my rules. That's all there is to it.

....and my worst fears were confirmed tonight. I like the Caramel Apple Empanada. It doesn't like me. *sobs, running to the toilet* haha

Our New Bathroom....

....Here it is, in all it's olive and sky blue glory! :) Aaron did such a good job on it. I love his style of decorating. He puts the energy into it that I can never seem to muster about house decorating.

....So we really paid for that day that was near 65 degrees, because it's currently snowing outside. It looks beautiful, but sheesh!

....Despite the fact that I got to bed before 10:00, I'm still wiped today. Funny that I woke up at 11:00 when Aaron was turning on his alarm for the next day, thinking it was time to get up. Went to the bathroom, and Aaron laid there, laughing at me for bitching and moaning about being so tired still. How happy I was to crawl back under the covers!

We Paid For the Pretty Day Yesterday....

....cos it's raining cats and dogs now! *sobs* I guess it's just proving that it's still winter outside. It was so nice to get the kids outside, though!

....I gave out my daycare contract to one person yesterday, and will give it to the rest tomorrow. *bites nails* I really don't think I'm being unreasonable with it. People should still pay me, even when they don't bring their kids, ya know? It's like your employer telling you last minute that they're closing up shop and not paying you. It's like being laid off for the day from PART of your work. lol Very strange, though I think people see it my way. I'm still cheaper than most other daycares around here, and I'm also not requiring them to pay when I take days off or go on vacation. That, and I want to close by six everyday. What harm is there in that? LOL

....Other than that, not much ado here. Just the same old, same old. Which isn't so bad. Tiring, but not bad.

Is It Really January???

....the weather outside today says not! The weather for tomorrow and the next ten days, according to Weather.com says yes.... *sobs*

....Did anyone else get out to enjoy the weather today? Was it nice by you? We went outside for about an hour today. You barely needed a jacket, it was so beautiful!

Four Things....

Tagged by Cath....

Four jobs you have had in your life:
German Teacher, daycare provider, Expatriate Coordinator (fancy title for paper-pusher and tax harrasser), Taco Bell Drive-thru Girl....

Four movies you would watch over and over:
I don't watch movies....I fall asleep. I'm a movie narcoleptic!

Four places you have lived:
Huntingburg, IN
Loogootee, IN
Muncie, IN
Carmel, IN

see a pattern, here?? ;)

Four TV shows you love to watch:
Dora the Explorer, the Wiggles, any room makeover show on TLC, HGTV, or DIY...otherwise, I don't watch much television....

Four places you have been on vacation:
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky
South Haven, MI
Las Vegas, NV
Hueston Woods, OH

OMG, I'm so boring!

Four websites I visit daily:
Preemie Baby Forum
Katie
Ebay
My Scrapping Blog (you guys are so bad about leaving me love, except Katie and Cath....

Four places I would rather be right now:
in bed sleeping
London (cos it sounds so good...)
Germany (cos, well, I spent all that time learning the language and have never been)
At a scrapbook retreat.... lol

Our New Bathroom....

.... so I've regaled you with tales of paint purchases, I thought you might like to see the finished product. Aaron used one of my Creative Memories Circle Cutter templates to make the circles on sponges for the green circles. These colors match the towels and washcloths that we bought before Christmas.

Congratulations to......

....Katie Fleck....who bought my album for $14.50.....now why do I just feel like I've stolen money from my friend???? ROFL

Feeling hypersensitive....

...don't know why, but my feelings are hurt quite easily these days. Does anyone else go through that? Someone says something, probably not meaning anything by it, but it sounds like a holier-than-thou statement? And your feelings get hurt? I'm there right now. But I know that I feel stressed out already right now, so I should calm down. Oh well. 'Tis life.

...other than that, nothing much ado Chez Byers right now. I was tired, and went to bed a little after eleven last night, and Aaron let me sleep in until 10:30. It was nice. I got up, checked on my ebay auction, and cleaned the daycare. Aaron is currently in the process of painting our bathroom. He has the first coat done already. It's a very pale blue with a grayish tint to it. We're going to try something fun with a green paint, of which we bought a quart. I can't describe the color of the green. It's different, that's for sure, but I think it's going to be awesome! We're going to put circles on the walls, to emulate what we have on the towels that we bought. I'll take pics when it's done so that you all can see. Cos I know you want to. ROFL

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far! :)

So....

...i've now wasted a bunch of scrapbooking tape and raised my blood pressure through the roof, but it's finally done. i have struggled with this page from the beginning, but i like the way it turned out.

...not much else here going on.... a few funnies on the internet, though. a group of my friends, some of whom know eachother and some who do not, have been having a bidding war on my mini album on Ebay. Too funny...and you guys are too sweet!

...i suppose that's my only funny. sheesh...i need to get out more!

Have a lovely Friday!

A Crazy Day....

...so I just got out of the shower. Be glad you were where you are and not here fifteen minutes ago.....eeewwww. I honestly don't remember when I last took a shower. Monday night, maybe? This dusk to dawn stuff with daycare's gotta stop!

...So I went to a Stampin' Up! party last night. My friend Judy, the comment lady without a blog of her own, hosted it. They have a lot of neat things, and the consultant really had some nice ideas. She has her whole basement kitted out with all kinds of things that she's made. Not to mention all her fun toys...I mean, tools. Can I just say that it was so much fun to get out of the house for a few minutes? I drank rum punch, too. Yummy. Gave me a freaking headache this morning. Nothing that a few Excedrin didn't kill.

...We danced to the Wiggles "Yummy, Yummy" cd today. You would think that my living room were American Bandstand, with all the little kiddies shaking their groove things. They were really cute.

...and thanks to my friend Kari for believing in me enough to make a bid for my auction! :D You're too sweet!

OK, so you all know I'm a Scrapbooking Whore....

....but now I'm whoring my blog out. See the Google Ads beneath my Blogroll on the right? Go ahead. Click on them. Spend a few seconds browsing the page. Tell all your friends to do it, too. ;)

Tooting the Horn....

...so Collin's class is doing a play about Pecos Bill. Well, for his class, he was chosen to be Pecos Bill! :D He's excited, but way nervous about doing the lead role. I told him that no matter what happened, I was incredibly proud of him! He could get up there and never say a line for stagefright, and I would be proud as anything.

...He reminds me so much of myself that it's frightening. I had horrible stage fright at his age, and would shake visibly when doing a solo!

...And last night my friend Nancy commissioned me to make a scrapbook for a friend's baby shower. Am way excited about this! I have an album all ready for it, I just need to make the cover (it's a plain cover, and needs decoration) and pages. *bites nails*

...And last, but certainly not least, I signed up for a Upromise account yesterday. So easy to do, and hopefully all that diet Coke that I've been drinking, which no doubt is rotting my insides, will pay off in the long run!

Whew....

....ok, so this is the first day that I've had all my daycare clients on the same day. Seven extra kids. Yes, I said seven. *sigh* Eight lunches to prepare, six diapers to change, two to sit on the potty, and one to discipline for being sassy with me. And not to mention all the "He's hitting me! He's taken my toys!" stuff that I've had to deal with. Oh, and baby in the pear tree. LOL

....so no major castrophes today, but I'm surely wiped out.

Not Even Three....

....and is trying to bowl me over with lies in order not to eat something he doesn't want....tonight at the supper table, I tell Griffin to try his mashed potatoes. He says "I not mashed potatoes. I sick." WTF?

You Know You're a Preemie Parent When......

....it amazes me how funny and true I found this..... it's amazing to me that it's been nearly three years. i used to know how many mL my kids were taking in meds and when they took them...i used to know how much they weighed to the gram.....i celebrated when Erin came off Oxygen....i cringed when people asked how old the twins were, because i would have to hear it AGAIN how small they were....



You Know You are the Parent of a Preemie When...

Compiled from iVillage's Preemie message board and some others from my mami and papi...

You use strange initials (C-PAP, CCs, NICU, NG) when discussing your child.

You actually remember how many CCs make up an ounce.

You count his weight in grams.

The skin on your hands is peeling from washing so often!

You hesitate when someone asks his/her age, but you know exactly how much he/she weighs!

The answer to "How old is your baby?" is a story 30 minutes long!

When someone asks his birthday, you reply, “Which one?”

You start to understand some of the things they say on ER!

You turn into Kung-Fu Mom when someone tries to touch your baby.

You attempt to measure just how much spit-up he/she just had before you clean it up!

You know how much he weighs before putting him on the scale at the doctor's office

You cry at Maternity Ward and get mad at Baby Story.

You see a 7lb newborn and say "Wow! She's so BIG!"

Your baby is months old before he can even go to the mall.

You have ever explained why your baby is on an apnea monitor.

When some says how tiny your baby is, you argue that he is huge -- and to demonstrate, you whip out pictures of him in NICU.

You do a health check on people when they come to your house to visit .

You make people wash their hands before going near your child.

You want to scream when someone says that she just wants to have this baby now - at week 28, 32, or 34.

You are so amazed when someone actually tells you your baby is big for his age!

You tried to find a place to buy newborn size diapers in bulk.

You called half your relatives when the baby grew out of their first pair of pajamas!

You never take your child for granted.

You worry about RSV season and it is still weeks away…

You know what “RSV” stands for.

You donate his/her tiny clothes to the NICU and marvel that they seem so small - when they were too darn large!

Your son gets a simple cold and her doc sees her within the hour!

People say, "He CAN'T be __ old...he's too little!"

It has taken them 5 months to grow INTO newborn clothes!

You pick up 2 pounds of ground beef and think that your baby was born at the same weight

You buy "Purell" in bulk

You can stare at your baby for hours when he sleeps

You know about oxygen tanks and regulators more than the company supplying it at the airplanes

Insane Day....

....OMG, it's just gone from moderately crazy to over-the-top-fucking insane. While trying to get a baby to sleep this morning (unsuccessfully), the boys decided that the box of rice was better on the floor, and the girls decided that the ottoman and every other flat surface needed some "lotion". This magical potion?? THE GLAZE FOR THE BATHROOM WALLS! (thanks for putting it in the garage, dear....appreciate that one)

Happy Monday!

...Nothing of real interest going on today. Aside from the odd scrapbook page or the visit from the tile guy to give us an estimate, not much is happening. I've only four extra kids today, though the younger siblings are going to drive me over, I believe. One is unable to be contained and is a bully and the other is just a needy newborn with bottle issues. I know that this could be worse, so I will, indeed, buck up.

...Someone go bid on my Ebay auction, too.... K? ;)

A Funny and Sweet Story

....So yesterday while we were out shopping at Wal-Mart, we heard "My Favorite Things" coming from what we *thought* was the good old Wal-Mart sound system overhead. As we passed by this little old man, trying on a yellow vest coat, we realized that it was coming from *HIM*. He had brought with him his very own boom box, and was playing the Sound Of Music soundtrack at full volume. Aaron and I looked at eachother and giggled. A lady pushing her cart behind us gave us a look. "You're wondering at his music, aren't you?" I ask. She nods her head "yes". And we giggle at eachother.

...Yes, this was a very silly thing for this man to do. But then I got to thinking. I very much doubt that anyone was really annoyed by it, and I bet you that everyone who heard him pass by got a chuckle out of him. I bet you that he made several people smile or laugh that day. And is that really so bad or freakishly weird? Maybe he has the right idea. I would like to be able to make that many people laugh or smile.

Another Shameless Plug.....

.... OK, folks, I'm trying my hand at listing on ebay again. I'm quite nervous about these things, because I always doubt myself. LOL But, if you know of anyone who would like a nice, hand-made card/mini-album to give for Valentine's Day, go here. hehe

A "Laid-Back" Saturday....

....Yippee!!! I'm so glad that we've had such a laid-back day. Remember, this is relatively speaking. Anyone with more than one toddler in the house (hell, ONE toddler), knows that days just aren't laid back with kids sometimes. Anyway, we decided to get out of the house to see what we could see. We went to Wal-Mart to get some rubber gloves so that I can clean the bathrooms later. We got a ton of other things, too (surprise, eh?). Then we went to Watson's floor coverings to see if we could find some tile for the backsplash in the kitchen. We have someone coming out on Monday to give us an estimate! Woot! Excited about that, I am! I'm also excited about the fact that these people had a play area, which was gated off for the toddlers to play in. Seriously, these places make you want to go back there to shop. Kind of like Menards and Ikea, no? Ashley furniture also does this. I give my money to those people who are kind enough to think of the family when they start putting a store together. Anyone who devotes an area to the kids deserves my money, as far as I'm concerned! Anyway, I digress (surprised, aren't you?). We then went to Dollar General Store to get wipes, because Griffin pooped and we didn't have any wipes. GRRRR...So then we went to Dick's Bodacious BBQ to get some grub. LLLUUURRRVVVEEE BBQ! Any meat that is smoked is happily eaten by this girl! I then went to Scrapbook Corner, for which my MIL had given me a wonderful gift certificate. I spent that, and the money that my mom gave me for Christmas, plus a few dollars. How much fun is it to go someplace that has fairly cheap goods and buy what you want? I did wind up putting some stuff back, but came out of there with a load of new toys...er...tools! ;) Then it was off to Lowe's to get some paint for our bathroom (where we're coming up with all this money is just beyond me, guys...). We found some paint that was on sale (that happened to be the color we were looking for!), plus another two sale-gallons of paint to use in the other bathrooms! We spent less on all three gallons of paint than we would have for one gallon at regular price (pats self on back). We're going to be trying some of the fun new techniques on our walls, so watch this space for future pictures.

OK, my tale is done. Hope everyone else is having a wonderful Saturday!

I'm Still Here....

....thank goodness it's Friday. I can so use the peace and quiet that the weekend will bring. Peace and quiet being relative, here, folks.

....The day was pretty good, though, since my old boss came over with lunch. We feasted on McDonald's along with our diet Coke. She is partially responsible for my diet Coke obsession! I really miss her, and feel badly that the old workplace isn't close to what it used to be when I first started there. It was actually a happy place to work. Now it's totally different. And that's sad. And it stinks that my old boss made what work was for me. I miss what it USED to be. And I hate that it's just getting worse for her, as she deserves so much more out of that.

....So not much at all planned for the weekend, for which I'm thankful. I just wish someone would take my rotten kids so that I could do what I need to around this dump of a house! It's so very hard to do much with the gruesome twosome under foot. They destroy what takes me hours in the matter of five minutes.... *sigh*

Exhausted and a Bit Frustrated.....

....exhausted because it's a typical day here at the Zoo. Typical used to be just five extra kids. Six on the heavy days. With Dante's little sister here, it's six extra, seven on the heavy days. And i totally forgot how much work a newborn was! It's been over a year since keeping a newborn, so I'm way out of practice. I did manage to get five ounces of mom's milk into her today, but I'm trying not to tempt fate by patting myself on the back too much. It's noteworthy, though, eh? ;)

....and I'm frustrated because my eighteen year-old part-time girl quit yesterday, and said that she could work this week, but is trying to skive off early.... urgh. I'm trying not to be frustrated, but she's let me down at the most crucial times...such as the day I shit my brains out and this week when I'm getting all my kids back. *ggrrrrr* oh, well...could be worse, eh??

....nothing much else is happening here lately. Aside from the odd overdue library book or cleaning the house, which I've no doubt are of any excitement to you. The lady bits problems are returning, but I won't gross you out with the details of that, either. And I'm sure you would rather not hear of my ponderings on whether to increase the looney meds or stay on the lower dose. lmfao...I shall not go into further details on any of these.

....Going to go back to my daycare now. Which has afforded me time only to take a dump today....and even that didn't go well. LOOOOOVVVVEEERRRRLLLYYY!!!! *imitates Katie by banging head on desk*

OK....

...I officially retract that whole refreshed statement.....I'm fucking exhausted after only one 13 hour stint that included a two-hour nap (from 6am-8am with a brand-new two year-old). I took kids down from the changing table (after they managed to throw all the diapers off the shelves above it), fed 4 kids breakfast, fed 7 kids lunch, changed 7 kids' worth of diapers, attempted to sit four kids on the potty, and tried to feed a reluctant breastfed newborn a bottle.

...I'm praying to get Erin and Griffin into bed soon so that I can go to bed myself. Cos it's all happenin' again tomorrow!

Crazy Ol' Day!

...So today I have six extra kids. Dante and his sister will be coming back for a few weeks minimum, so we'll see how it goes with a new baby in the house! I am loving that I get to snuggle with her, but it's definitely not helping me get anything done around here. The only downfall to her is that she does not want to take a bottle. If it's not momma...she's not having it. And that's that! So aside from that, she's a lovely little girl!

...I'm living up to another one of my New Year's Resolutions. We did a few activities this morning with the daycare. We colored bird's nests, as it is National Bird Day later this week...of course, now that I think of it, I got this lesson idea off a Canadian site, so methinks I might be doing a Canadian based theme this week....eh...we're multi-cultural! *giggles*

...This is the first time since doing daycare that I've come back from a vacation refreshed and ready to see the kids. With wide-open arms, too, I might add! They've been pretty good today. All the kids have just taken time to play and joined in at the appropriate times this morning with songs, etc.

...I'm feeling quite proud of myself, despite not getting *as much* done as I wanted, because dinner's cooking in the crock-pot, and I've pushed two loads of laundry through the machine this morning. Not too shabby! I just wish that I didn't have to hold this little girlie, as I would really love to be eating banana bread for snack! *whines*

So....

...I have started my New Year's Resolutions....but only the scrapping one. hehehe I'll slowly work the others into the mix...perhaps I'll work out before heading to the shower today.

...so my entire vacation was a waste of time. Oh, well, could be worse, right? But for the first time since I started this job, two and a half years ago, I'm ready to open my doors today for my daycare kids. Mentally, if nothing else. And only one kid showed today, which is fine by me.

...Yesterday we spent time at the in-laws' house. Was a relaxing time, eating every conceivable casserole side-dish possible, as well as prime rib. Was good stuff. Then we went to Mass, where we met up with Dante's family. Dante and the twins have missed eachother so much since he's been gone. They played together so well during church that it was much easier than if we would have not sat with them.

...So tomorrow, Dante and his sister, Francesca, will be coming to my house, as a start to an unspecified time of them coming to daycare here. It might be a few weeks, it could be permanent, we'll see eventually, but things are up in the air. Keep them in your thoughts as they work to figure out what they're going to do.