Well, not a lot going on here today. My mom was sick last night and has spent the day recovering. My dad and I took DH's truck to get the oil changed which was really good since it was a couple of months overdue. Other than that...

OH! DH called. Thanks for sending the vibes his way! He wasn't in a good place, poor guy. No, he still hasn't checked his e-mail.

Anyway, hope you all are doing well.

Hello dear cyber friends.

Not a lot going on here. We are having a nice visit with my parents. And I'm still waiting for a call or e-mail from DH! It's driving me crazy.

We went to lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant and now I'm STUFFED! Uncomfortably so. And I'm sleepy. I'm always sleepy when I eat too much.

That's really it here. Pretty boring. Now, I want everyone to send vibes to DH to CALL HOME NOW!!! Everyone together!!!

Hello dear cyber friends. How is everyone? Me? Well, DS is sick and was up all night. Poor thing. My parents are on their way here, which I love but I am having to really clean the house again. I've been so bad lately about cleaning so there's lots to do.

I'm also still waiting to get that call from DH. I hate that we missed it yesterday and spent a great deal of the day upset. Anyway, hopefully he'll be able to call today.

Well, that's it for me.

Merry Christmas, dear cyber friends. I hope you all had a wonderful day.

Our day was okay. We missed DH's phone call which made me feel awful. He tried all day to get back through but was unable. He did e-mail though so that is better than nothing. The kids are pretty excited about their gifts so that's good.

We went to church this morning and it was nice, not nearly as crowded as last night!!

That's really it. Hope you all had a blessed day.

Christmas Eve....

We just got home from our Christmas Eve Candlelight service. It was very nice but VERY crowded! There was standing room only! They had to bring in chairs. We arrived 15 minutes before the service started and we had to sit in the next to the last pew. I hated that because I'm a middle to front of the church kind of person but I'm so glad that there were so many people there. What a wonderful time.

My kids really didn't want to go but both behaved so well and sat very still and listened. As we were leaving my DS said, "You know, I kind of enjoyed that!" How awesome is that!

It was a beautiful service. Merry Christmas Eve dear Cyber Friends and a Very Merry Christmas!!

Can you believe it! It's the day before Christmas Eve. DD thinks her Christmas vacation is going by too fast! It does seem to be speeding by us. We went into the Dollar Tree today and they had up Valentine's stuff. I told them Christmas must be over!

I think the stores swing from one holiday to the next a little too fast - at least for me. I like to linger over them and actually take time to enjoy them. The stores just rush us through them all. I don't really like that.

Anyway, I got a little off onto a side road there. We baked some Christmas cookies last night and now we need to put the icing on them. (I hate icing so this helps to keep me from eating them!) Then I think we are basically ready for the big day!

We are going to our Christmas Eve service at church. We weren't at this church last year so I'm not sure what they do here. I love to have communion on Christmas Eve. My dad is retired minister and he always had family communion on Christmas Eve (he called it come and go communion). It was a special Communion with each individual family to come down alone and take Communion together and have special prayer. I loved it. Only one church we've been apart of since we've been away from home has done this and I really miss it. I hoping for at least a candlelight service.

Then Christmas day we will again go to worship since it falls on a Sunday. It seems funny to me that around here a lot churches have cancelled services because of this. Seems like this is a little backwards but... At least my church hasn't. I'm glad because maybe it will help my children to remember what Christmas really is. I read recently that the word Christmas comes from Christ Mass or worship Christ (something like that). It was interesting.

Anyway, didn't mean to give you a sermon. I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas! I'm sure I'll be on here again but in case you aren't.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Today, we have a VTC with DH. My only worry is whether or not I know how to get into the building where it is. I've been in the parking lot but that's it. So ... things like this make me sick with worry.

Have I ever mentioned what a total worrier I am? I'm also very nervous about things that are new to me. YUCK!

So anyway, I'm off now to try to beautify myself and help the kids get ready. Last time he was gone and we did this, I tried so hard to look nice, you know, the perfect outfit and makeup and when I got there the other wives that were there were the complete opposite from me. I was a little self-conscious and felt silly at first. But when they called our name it was all forgotten.

I'm off... I'm so nervous!

UPDATE:

Well, we are back from the VTC. DH looked good. VTC's are a strange thing. They are very awkward. Someone has to be in the room with you, so you talking in front someone, and there is a delay and (here's the worst part) you have to look at yourself on a TV screen!!

I had the kids make a list of things to talk to their dad about but that lasted maybe 2 minutes and we had 15 minutes to talk. Too funny. Suddenly, I never have anything to say. Which is completely crazy because I always have something to say! I'm just happy to sit and look at him and listen to him talk with the kids. It's hard, I just felt so "on the spot" and then when we are done I feel terrible for not talking more!

Anyway, it went well. No tears even! That's amazing! We are all such criers. Anyway, that's my update....

Friends...

I tell you what. I have THE best friend ever. I posted that I wasn't feeling good and thought I might be coming down with what DD had and this friend called and offered to come from another state to help me out. She is even busy with her own stuff right now. WOW!! What a good friend. Thank you, dear Friend for caring so... You are the best! You almost made me cry! You are awesome!

Well, today a friend is coming to get the kids and take them Christmas shopping. It is so sweet of her to do it. DS was very worried about how they were going to get a gift for me. Last time I think my parents took them shopping. I really can't remember what they did. Maybe another friend took them. Oh, I know they made stuff at church for me. Of course I helped but they didn't really notice. And I promised not to look at what they were making. heeheehee. Kids, gotta love them!

Yesterday, I guess I finally got into the Christmas spirit. I went shopping for about and hour or two and finished my shopping for the kids. YEA!! It was hard work. I had planned on not going over board like I usually do and so far that was easy because I couldn't get into the whole shopping thing but ... Once I got started yesterday, boy howdy, overboard I went! So now I just need to wrap and get something for the dog. (the kids are insisting that I buy for him and that Santa is bringing him something.)

Well, I guess I need to go clean up the house for Santa. I've exercised already and had breakfast so now I'm off to work! (You know how well that goes for me...) Have a great day!

Hats....

Remember me talking about Jimmy Stewart and Bing Crosby's hats? Well it's actually kind of funny. I just received a catalog of hats in the mail!!! How funny. I've never received one before. It's just a little ironic. Okay... enough about hats.

And now another story.....

A post from Rolligun reminded me of a story. He was talking a little about a salute there was a lot more to it than that but the salute reminded of the story. So here it is .....

The first time DH was saluted in front of the family, DS giggled and started saying (very, very loudly) "Did you see that!! Dad, he saluted you!" and giggled for quite sometime. He was so excited to see his dad saluted. DS was only 7 or 8 at the time and DH had just come home from WOCS. I have to admit that I too giggled but very quietly. DH was incredibly embarrassed. Anyway, just another goofy story from me to you...

Oh my goodness....

I made a very simple spelling error and you won't believe what it led to! First I'm very naive. That being said, I am very surprised by what people search for on the internet. And then for MY little blog to come up on such a search! Unbelievable! Leaving one little letter out. A small little typo! I'm sure that the person doing the search was just as surprised as me when he came to this blog expecting what he was expecting! The misspelled word??? Well it was supposed to read crock-pot. Now, you can figure it out. HA! It's really kind of funny actually. hehehehehee

Meet Me In St. Louis

I'm sitting here watching "Meet Me In St. Louis" and the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" just came on and I thought it was very fitting right now. So, here, please, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

Next year all our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself

A merry little Christmas now.

Musings by Mommy

Well, don't have a lot to say. DD slept most of the day. I hope she is feeling better. She hasn't vomited since 2:30 this afternoon so maybe she is on the mend. I hope so.

I guess I'm back to feeling down now. DH has some things planned, that worry me. I have rules and he's breaking them soon and it worries me. (No, I never thought the army would play by my rules but I have try, you know?)

Anyway, I can't really place what it is that's making me down other than the just missing DH but there is something. I hate the army. Always have. And I'm hating pretty strongly today. I'm trying not to but.... anyway, that could be it.... who knows.

Well, I'm off to bed. DD kept me up most of the night last night so maybe I can catch up tonight. Goodnight dear cyber friends.

dang it!

Well, I typed this long post and my computer shut down! Dang it! I'm not going to try and write it all over again.

Basically, the play was good. Not exactly what I expected but it was good. DD laughed and laughed. DS enjoyed it too.

DD is sick. She has been vomiting all night and most of the morning too. Poor thing. She slept on the couch last night and she got sick on it. I'm afraid it's ruined. But at least she is okay. She was sick in her sleep and slept in it for a while. Poor thing. I feel so bad for her. I hope DS and I don't get it.

I can't imagine taking care of 2 kids and a dog while hugging the toilet so, say a prayer that DS and I don't get sick.

Well, we are off for the Christmas holidays. DD had a half day today. Tonight we are going to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Roxy and I can't wait! The kids are excited too.

Not much else going on that I'll share here, so , dear cyber friends, have a wonderful evening.

Christmas movie...

Have you seen the Hallmark movie, "Fallen Angel"? It's on now. I love it. We watched it last year. It's got Gary Sinise and the blond off of "Nip Tuck". It's a touching movie. Check it out if you can on the Hallmark. I'm sure it will be on again.

DD had dance tonight and I was visiting with some of the other moms and somehow we got to talking about blogging. (That's how addicted I am to this stuff! I talk about it when I can't be checking it!!!) Anyhoo, one of them asked me, "What does Blog stand for?" I have no idea!! Does it stand for something? I kept trying to explain what blogging is and they just weren't getting it. I told them they would just have go and check it out for themselves. I really didn't think it that hard to get. I was explaining it very well but... go figure!

I'm doing this way too often again. Sorry. I guess I just have a lot to say lately. ;0P

This computer! or is it just me?

Well, I've been sitting here off and on all day, okay if I'm honest, for the past 2 days, just hitting the "get mail" button hoping to see one from DH. How pitiful is that? You know it's really bad because DS keeps going upstairs and sending me e-mails so at least I'll have something! I'm pretty pitiful. I'm not usually this bad, I just have something I want to tell him so bad and I hate that I can't! Wait! I said no more complaining!! See how long that lasted! I'm so bad.

Okay, now I'm really bad! I just had to repost his pic so that it would be at the top for me to see it! SAPPY AGAIN!

Christmas...

Well, I've been reading other blogs lately (a lot!) and a common theme among many has been the true meaning of Christmas and how we've kind of gotten away from it so I'm going to post another e-mail I received to day on this very thing. I enjoyed it. Maybe you will too.

This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS begotten SON... Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and goodwill toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."

Well, I just wanted to share it. I agree with most of what it says. It's pretty good I think. Merry Christmas! Or Happy Holidays!

Okay, I just have to share this one!! Enjoy....

As the holidays approach, my heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of youwho have taken the time and trouble to send me "forwards" over the past 12months. Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed, and wealthy.

Extra thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat crap in the glue onenvelopes 'cause I now have to go get a wet towel every time I need to seal an envelope.

Also, I scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason. Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone might drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from nor send packages by UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan.

I no longer eat KFC because their "chickens" are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer have any sneakers - but that will change once I receive my free replacement pair from Nike.

I no longer have to buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

I no longer worry about my soul because at last count I have 363,214 angels looking out for me.

Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl who is about to die in the hospital (for the 1,387,258th time).

I no longer have any money at all - but that will change once I receive the$15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in theirspecial email program.

Yes, I want to thank you so much for looking out for me that I will nowreturn the favor!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7minutes, a large pigeon with a wicked case of diarrhea will land on yourhead at 5:00 PM (CDT) this afternoon. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next-door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician. Happy Holidays in advance,:-)

For Kate! I'm smiling! You? Okay not quite this much but ....

Christmas cards...

Well, I have most of my Christmas cards done now. Yea me! It's taken me forever to get around to it and now I'm glad I did. I feel like I've accomplished something.

Oh, today....

Well, I have to say that today I've been feeling pretty petty about yesterday's post and pity party. I am now over it. Well, don't get me wrong I still miss DH and want him home but I'm through (at least for a few days) complaining about it.

So today we homeschooled pretty good. DS finally did his math with NO careless mistakes! YEA! That's a big deal. He knows how to do it all but rushes so much that he is very careless and makes really silly mistakes.

We spent a lot of time reading. We are reading "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch." It's an interesting story. Sad. DS says, "Is everyone going to die in the book!" He thinks people should run when they see him coming because everyone important to Mr. Bowditch seems to die.

Anyway, now, I'm trying to figure out what's for supper. Not really interested in cooking it but we aren't going out. I'm standing firm on this one.

DD is wanting to make all kinds of stuff and we need to finish getting her teacher gifts ready. She wears me out!

And my puppy? Well now he is in trouble. I had just been bragging on him and how he hasn't messed with tree or the gifts under it. Well, we found him eating my tree skirt! UGH! He spent a good deal of the day after that in his "room" (his kennel). Hopefully he won't make that mistake again.

Well, I guess that's all I have to say for now.

Sad news from Iraq...

I just got an e-mail from an online friend, that her husband was killed Saturday in Iraq. Very sad. I don't know what to say. Please pray for our troops and their families.

I love my dog...

He is just so cute! He loves me too. It's funny, he was supposed to be DH's dog. I didn't want one but I finally gave in and now we have him. When DH was home he was always fussing at me for "Stealing" his dog. It's really quite funny.

This dog loves me! He could be sitting with anyone else and I'll walk by or come in and sit down and he has to come and sit with me! It drives my family crazy. He follows me around all over the house all the time. He has to be near me nearly always. He sleeps with me. He's so funny. He has to snuggle right up against me. I love it when he lays his little head on my stomach or my arm. It's just so cute.

Now don't get me wrong. He is a total pain too. Sometimes I just want to "kick him to the curb" as they used to say in Korea. He barks at everything, including the tv. He has accidents and he nibbles at DD. He loves to eat and thinks he should eat at least 8 times a day. No, I don't feed him that often but he tries really hard to get me to! He has such a personality!

Well, it's time to get my kiddos up this morning, I just had to share about my precious dog. You've got to love him! More on him later....

Ho Humm....

Okay, I'll warn you now. This is not one of my more uplifting posts.

I was thinking this morning that I need to go get the makings for my Christmas dinner. I was kind of thinking about the meal and thought to myself, "Maybe we just won't do Christmas dinner this year." This completely shocked me! I couldn't believe it but what shocked me more was when I actually said to the kids, "Hey, how about if we don't do Christmas Dinner this year and we just eat a regular meal after church?" DS was like, "Sure, whatever" in a very disbelieving tone. DD said, "Nah, I like Christmas dinner. You're just joking right?" I said, "Of course I am, silly! We have to have Christmas dinner."

Okay, here's the sad part! I don't think I was joking! I was serious! At that moment I realized I wouldn't mind skipping Christmas all together this year!

Now that is total craziness! I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year! I love the cooking, the shopping, the carols, the movies, the cards, the decorations... but not so much this year. I realized this morning that DS had to force me to put the tree. I would have kept putting it off! DD had to force me to do my holiday candy making and baking! This is so not me.... yes, I stopped everything right then and took a St. John's Wort. (That's a mood enhancer for those that don't know.)

Now, don't get me wrong... my kids will have a wonderful Christmas this year. I'm just surprised at myself. Part of the dinner thing is that my exercising is going well and I am starting to see a difference and don't want to blow it with one meal, one day but that's just a teeny tiny bit of it. I think I'm just missing DH.

Funny thing is, he's not even all that into the whole Christmas thing. I have to force him to get into it every year!

I really shouldn't be complaining. There are lots of families who will never have another Christmas with their loved ones. I'm really very lucky! But that just makes me even more sad. Oh well. These are just thoughts that I'm sending out into cyberspace. They say writing it down can help so here it is...

Now I'm off to homeschool...

Done cooking for tonight...

Well, the candy stuffs are done. We didn't get to the cookies. We'll do them tomorrow after school. Whew, the crock-pot candy was a lot of standing when it was time to drop it. My back is still achy. I need to get over that!

DD's play practice went well. Some parents just blow my mind. This one got onto a little first grader because he was coming in 3 words too soon (just so happened it was her son's 3 words out of a bunch). It was really sad. It really didn't matter. It didn't change anything. The poor kid started crying. He was so upset, and he did his lines perfectly except for coming in a tiny bit too soon. I think I will send him a note tomorrow and tell him what a great job he was doing. Maybe it will make him feel better.

Now, the kiddos are off to bed, well, DS is reading, and the dog is sitting here growling at me because he wants me to hold him. He is worse than a toddler!!

They are talking snow here again but I don't think they know what they are talking about! This is like the 3rd time they've promised us snow and we've not had any yet. So...

Sunday....

Hello cyber friends. I just watched "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck. I just love that one. What a house!!! I love it. All that snow and the horse drawn sleigh... how romantic... ahhh.....

Now we are watching "The Flintstones Christmas Carol". It's funny... I didn't get my cooking done yesterday so I'm working on it today. The carmel corn is done and the crock-pot candy is cooking. Dummy me, I couldn't figure out why my chocolate wasn't melting... yep, you guessed it, I forgot to turn on the crock-pot!! DUH!! DD said she told me but I didn't hear her.

In a bit we have DD's play practice. Her Christmas program at church is Wednesday night. DS played the handbells today. He did good. They played at both services and he made me tape both for his dad because he thought the first time was awful!! I didn't think I had enough tape. It lasted exactly to the second! I couldn't believe it.

DH sent and e-mail today. I've not talked to him yet today and he doesn't always call everyday so we'll see.... I'm hoping he'll get my Christmas package this week. I hope he'll like the goodies we sent. I'm not sure if I can wait for him to open that Christmas present. We'll see. He sent more pictures yesterday. He sent one of his tree. It was cute. I'm glad he has it.

Well, I guess I've rambled enough. I need to go figure out how I am going to separate my goodies in the containers... I hope you all have a good rest of the day.

Just in case.....

Just in case you didn't know... "It's A Wonderful Life" is on tonight on NBC at 7 central. It's a favorite of mine...

A hard question for me...

I've just been thinking about a question I hear a lot of. "How are you, really?" There's nothing wrong with the question and actually it shows that people care about me and I like it. But it is a hard question for me. My answer is usually the same. "I'm fine, really." But you know, it's really a deep question and I never have the words to answer it.

My usual answer is an honest one. But there is more to it. I am fine. Really, I am. But it's because I really have no other choice but to be fine. You know what I mean? But when I really think about it there's more.

Even now, it's hard to say. I'm sad but I'm not sad. I'm sometimes angry but not angry. It's so hard to describe. I miss my husband terribly. Sometimes I just feel like my heart is breaking. But to be honest... because of the kids, I really don't have time to think about it and I try not to think about it.

I ask my DH this question at least once a week and he never really answers it either. We both have our standard answers. His, "I'm fine, just tired." I know there's more to it but it's really a hard question.

Anyway, I've been asked this twice now in the last 24 hours and so my answer is this...

Thank you so much for asking. I'm fine, really. We are managing. I miss DH terribly but I hear from regularly and that helps. We'll get by, we are 3 months down now. Only 9 more to go. Thanks again for asking....

Night time Ramblings...

Okay, well, here I am again, or should I say still at this hour!! I really need a life. Anyone else out there?

I had a pretty good night tonight. The "Ladies Night Out" thing was nice. We didn't ever get around to playing a game we just talked. You wouldn't believe what we can talk about at these things. Everything from child birth (very descriptive at times too ) to puberty in our kids! UGH! Yes, that's one I'm going through now. It's funny. If someone were to walk in... It was funny but honestly, I was ready to come home.

I'm such a home body. I love to be in my house doing nothing at all or just whatever. Tomorrow we will be home. We are having a cooking day. We're making goodies to send in for teachers presents to DD's teachers and also to our minster and a few friends. We're making carmel corn, crock-pot candy (chocolate covered peanuts, yummy) and maybe some cookies to send to DH. DD is very excited. I hope she is not too disappointed. Everything is pretty easy and doesn't take a lot of work.

Then we may just sit around (after we straighten up a bit) and watch Christmas movies. DD is dying to watch "Elf" again. I love it too. I could work on my Christmas cards then too. You know I don't have ya'll addresses to send you cards. I guess I'll post a little something on here as a Christmas card. Hmmmm. Anyway... during the movies would be a good time to work on them. I think I'll do that.

I better get to bed. Besides this post is so long that I'm not going to be able to see DH's picture anymore and I'll just be tempted to post more!!! hehehe

Good night or good morning which ever it is for you, dear cyber friends.

Okay here he is...

I just couldn't wait!! Here he is. I'm on verge of sappy again!!!

Another day...

Well, another day down and whole bunch more to go. How is everyone today? I've had a pretty good day. I finally got DH's family's Christmas sent. I had sent stuff to his sister but then lost my um.... stamina, want to, desire... just kind of didn't feel like doing any of that kind of stuff. I STILL have to do my Christmas cards! But now I have their stuff done, I'm hoping that I can finish the cards. I'm glad that I finally made myself do it.

Then, I took care of the dishes. YUCK! Have I mentioned how I HATE housework? hehehe I know I have... And I even washed my sheets today!! But I still need to put them back on the bed...

We homeschooled. DS took a test in math and did pretty well. He's just careless. He can always tell you what he did wrong. If only I could get him to check his work... He did his language arts and wrote a short summary of Nathaniel Bowditch. That he did pretty well. We are reading "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch". It's pretty good but a little too easy for him but it goes well with his language arts. He's reading another book on his own. I never would have thought he'd want to but he picked a book of mine, "Love Comes Softly" to read at night. He still hasn't got the new Harry Potter book. Anyway, he's half way through and is enjoying it. Who'd have guessed??

Well, DH seemed kind of down today on the phone. You'd never have thought it though by the e-mails I've received today. He usually only gets around to e-mailing once a week or so but today he's sent me pictures 3 times!! He is so cute. I'll post one of the pictures here later. I have to crop some other people out first. (They might not want to be on the internet...) Anyway, he said he's just tired but it sounded more like down. He should be getting a few hours off tomorrow so maybe he'll get some rest.

Well, I better go fix the kiddos some supper. Tonight is my "Ladies Night Out" at church so I better get with it! Have a great evening!!

Shame, Shame, Shame's my name...

Boy did DS shame me today. I mean a real guilt trip. I spent most of the day alone in my room with this silly computer. The kids were busy playing and watching TV and I just let them. I thought they were happy with it but evidently not. DS is very upset with me and feels very neglected! Poor guy. What a terrible mom I was today.

SOOO... not much computer tomorrow! I think we will be hard at school tomorrow anyway and so I usually just kind of check it here and there. Plus we are having another "Ladies Night Out" for the military wives at church tomorrow night, weather permitting. I think it will be fine.

Well, I guess I better get to bed. Gotta get up early for daily exercising. So much for interesting! HA!

Boring??? No, not really...

Okay, in my previous post I said that I was boring and I'm wrong. My life is not boring, just my blog. ;0P

My life is probably just as it should be. It's filled with love, laughter, and joy. Mixed with kids, homeschooling and DH's deployments and TDY's. I always have some drama I just don't write about it because sometimes it involves other people who just might be reading here and I would hate to offend anyone.

I guess my blog is just a place to write my thoughts, hence, the name, Musings by Mommy. I guess then that you could say that it's just what it is supposed to be. BUT! I will try to be more interesting, or silly, or something. That said...

The schools here are closed! They called at 5am! to notify us. I'm not complaining really because I like that they notify us like that and I don't have to wait for it scroll by on the TV screen and miss it because I just couldn't wait any longer to go to the bathroom! You know that happens to you too. Go on, admit it!

So anyway, I thought yea! I can turn off the alarm and just sleep until I wake up and then exercise . Yeah, right, whatever! I couldn't go back to sleep. So I reached over and opened my laptop (yes, it was in bed with me, I'm ashamed to say. That way I can watch DH's video thing right before I go sleep. I'm truly pitiful!) and checked my e-mail. Nothing. Hmmm. The dog was very upset that I turned on the computer and kept laying on the key board. So I put it aside and thought I'll just lay here for a minute and then go ahead and get up and exercise. Well, again, yeah, right, whatever! Next thing I knew it was almost 8AM!!

Now, the dog is dying for me to get up and take him outside! So I did and then I called my mother and visited a while. Then I found the kids hiding behind the sofa with a toy gun (this was DD!) and a spy thingy. I asked if they were spying on me and they said they were playing "Alias"!! I didn't even know that they knew about "Alias"! Too funny. (and maybe a little scary.)

So I exercised while they played. I love discovering that God really didn't forget to give me certain muscles. I've been finding muscles that, well, honestly I haven't used in a very long time if ever!! Too cool. I can't wait for DH to discover them too! I hope I can keep this up until he comes home and then continue after he gets here too.

And so here I am. I need to fold laundry, clean the kitchen, finish my Christmas cards, take a shower and yada, yada, yada... I'm sure I'll be here a lot today. My computer addiction seems to be running rampant again! I'll not lie and say that I'm going to go get busy but am going to post this now and I'll probably be back soon!!! :0P

Boring??? Absolutely!

Okay, I've been reading other people's blogs and, well, I knew mine was fairly blah but wow, it' s really plain and uninteresting in comparison!! I have no interesting sex stories that I care to share, no philosophical rhetoric, nothing, just plain ole me.

I think maybe it's my age but probably not. Since I know there are some out there older than me blogging. (No, I'm not talking about anyone in particular so stop thinking I'm talking about you!) It just happened that most of the blogs I was reading today were twenty somethings or barely 30's. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not old by any means and I'm very young at heart! But, I am older than that.

Anyway, I guess I need some excitement in my life to talk about! Earlier I was thinking of writing about how I miss DH being here to put gas in the car for me on this cold night. Hehehe Talk about boring and sad!

Oh well, I was just thinking... I'll keep thinking and see if I can be more interesting. Have a good night!

Hello all. I am experiencing some lower back pain today. I have been for a few days but today it is beyond annoying. I think it's worse because I feel tired today but oh well. It will feel better eventually.

We are expecting snow and sleet tomorrow. We missed the last snow. We had a few flurries but that was it. I think they are saying up to 2 inches. My kids are beside themselves hoping to get snowed in! DD was talking this morning about how wonderful it would be to have the snow taller than her!! I don't think her mother would appreciate that much. (It would be different if DH were home to take care of us.) I'd love a little, you know, enough for a snowman and maybe some sledding but that's it. And NO ice. I'm not much for driving on the ice. So if it happens I hope everyone knows I'll not be going anywhere!! Now watch, we won't get even a flurry! hehehe

Well, I'm still motivated with my exercising. I even upped it 10 minutes. Yea me!! It was a little harder to get up this morning but I did kick myself out of bed and did it and I'm glad I did. I'm so glad DH is the one in the army and not me! He's much better at getting up and out of bed in the mornings.

Well, I guess I've rambled on enough. I hope you all are having a wonderful day. Chat with you later!

DH POSTED A COMMENT ON HERE!!!

I just can't believe it!! He's made my day. I like the thought of him checking up on me. What a sweetie pie!! Don't you just love him?? Well, you might better not. I'm actually the jealous type. Anyway, share in my joy that my DH posted a comment. I have to enjoy it now because you never know if it will happen again. (btw he's the anon)

The haircuts went well by the way and I guess I'm going to have to go and fix some dinner here in a few minutes. DS wants spaghetti. That's bad because I ALWAYS over eat pasta. I may put my sauce on some garlic bread or something so that I'm not tempted to eat too much. Of course that means that I'll need to make less pasta which it my whole problem anyway! I always cook too much.

Anyway, enough about my poor eating habits. :oP I hope all my dear cyber friends have a wonderful evening, morning or whatever it is where you are.

Hello dear friends,

How are you all today? I'm doing pretty good. DD is home again but she is feeling much better. I think she will be back in school tomorrow.

I got DH's last Christmas present sent today. The post office was packed! I couldn't believe it! I still have a few more packages to mail to other family members but will try to go at a different time to beat or miss the crowd if that's even possible!

Today we are getting haircuts. DS is very nervous. He wants his hair long and is so afraid that they will cut it all off. It's actually getting to a good length he just needs a little styling and shaping? DD doesn't want one either. She wants hair like Rapunzel's! I told her she needs a trim to help it grow. Me? I'm just as bad as they are. I'm only getting a trim. Sometimes I think I might chop it off. Maybe it would make me look better but what if it didn't???? So I will have the same haircut for now only longer. I'm only getting a trim too.

Some day when I'm braver maybe I'll post a picture of me. I've posted one of the rest of my family so I guess it'd only be fair but... don't hold your breath. Like I said in an earlier post, I hate cameras when they are pointed at me!!

Anyway, have a good day friends. I'll check back in later.

Oh another day...

What is it with me? I have one really good day and then a little blue day the next! I guess it's called the holidays without my husband. Oh well, I'm not going to complain about it just making an observation.

DD was home sick today. She sounds like seal and her temp was up a bit. She has just laid around all day and is trying to sleep now. I hope she is better in the morning. I hate having sick kids! But so does everyone else I'm sure.

Well, how are all my dear friends out there in cyberspace? Are you all getting ready for the holidays? Come on over and I'll fix some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about your plans.

It's pretty cold here right now. I just can't seem to get warm. Maybe the hot chocolate will help. Well, I've got the kettle on so come on over and sit a spell. I'll be waiting!

Still feeling sappy....

This is how I like him! Well, I could use his hair longer but there's just not enough time on leave to get it how I like it. I don't get to have him this way too often. Only on leave and only if I really insist! And I mean I have to throw a fit!! BTW this is an old picture but it's one of my favorites. It's from the summer of 2004.

Sorry, I just can't help it! I've fallen in love with my dear husband all over again! His video is so cute and has really inspired me in so many ways. The biggest is exercise. I had been doing it but very grudgingly but now I put the video on continuous play and smile the whole time! The only problem with the video is that it has made me long to touch him. The pictures are so good you just feel like you can reach out and really touch him!

It's also inspired me to take a few pictures of myself. I don't do that often and tend hide if anyone else is holding the camera! But I tried to make myself look nice and used the webcam to take a couple of pictures and e-mailed them to him. I also did a little video that I e-mailed him too. I just hope he can open them. I know he can the pictures but the video I'm not sure about. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Well, the kids think I'm neglecting them so I better go. Have a wonderful Sunday!

My sweet DH

Okay I know ya'll probably don't want to hear all my sappy talk about my hubby but tough, it's my blog and I'll write what I want too! hehehe ;oP

He sent me a CD with a little "movie" on it he had made. It's really a slide show to music but it is awesome. At first it made me miss him so bad, I couldn't stop crying but now it makes me smile. He asked me if I was going to send it to anyone and I thought about it but right now it's something special just for me and my kids and no, I don't want to share. For now it's all I have of him.

Have I ever told you guys how very selfish I am when it comes to my husband and my time with him? Or even just him. I'm one of those wives who loves to spend every moment I can with my husband, well with my whole little family but especially with him. He's "the sunlight in my universe."

Yes, we do spend time apart even when he's home. He has poker nights and golf games and stuff but we love to just be together too. Okay, enough sappy stuff.

It's kind of dreary day here. I love those usually. I can just stay in the house and do nothing but today I have stuff to do so... yuck. I'd love to just stay in bed and dream of DH.

A very nice and wonderful woman from church has volunteered to come and get my kids for me so that I can go finish my Christmas shopping. Yea!! I had been worrying a little about that. It's very nice of her. Yes, Kate, she just came up to me on Wednesday and said "Hey, can I come get your kids and take them home with me so that you can go shopping this weekend?" It's awesome!!

Oh, well, I guess I better get busy. Have a great weekend, cyber friends!

P.S. DH looks MUCH better with hair but supposedly it's easier to deal with over there. Something about sand, no time, yada yada yada.... ;o)

Here I am again...

I tell you what I'm either never here or I'm here too much! Crazy! I have other stuff I should be doing but you know this is way better than cleaning. I just need to clean up the supper dishes and then I need to work on my Christmas cards. My list gets longer and longer every year! I guess that's a good thing, no, I know it is.

Well, I guess I should get with it. Have a wonderful evening!

Busy, busy...

It seems that every time I get ready to sit down and write here something comes up and distracts me! See... Like just now. I had to stop to mix some Gatorade for DS. It's always something and I hate to say it but I can't even say it's productive stuff that I've been doing!

Oh well, how are my cyber friends? I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We did and are now preparing for Christmas. I tried so hard not to plan too much this year and yet, I was trying to figure out when we could go do something and found that I have NO Fridays left! It's crazy. At least most of it is stress free. Did I say all this yesterday? I'm telling you, my mind is slowing down a bit.

DH is doing fine. We miss him terribly of course. It was harder than I realized putting up the tree this year. I tried to put it off a little but DS wouldn't let me. (Which was good). But my mood just slowly went down hill that whole day and I just kept getting mad at the decorations and the house until I came across an old card that DH gave 12 years ago and I burst into tears. That's when I realized that it wasn't really the decorations but my missing husband that was causing my bad mood. Oh well... it will get better. It has gotten better. That was days ago and I've talked with DH a few times since then so...

Well, I better go fold some laundry. I hope you all have a wonderful day and I'll try to be back again soon...