Thank you Ellen for your kind words; yesterday was a bummer day.
Today, has been MUCH better; mostly due to Frank (don't get a big head honey). Today starts his weekend off from work so he got the kids ready for school, helped with homework last night, and when I left this a.m. was doing laundry. Not only this, but he promised a trip to Ankeny on Sunday. We "need" to visit a shop for his S.C.A. equipment, but also desperatley need new tenny shoes so we will stop at Kohl's too. I'm hoping we can eat lunch or supper in Ankeny- a few restaurants there we don't have here.
I'm not going to tell Jewel, but Frank is cleaning off a table in the dining room for she and I to possibly scrap book on Monday. At least organize some pictures anyway.. Frankie works Monday. I will feel good if we at least map out a page. I'v never mapped out pages before, but one of my friends swears by it as does Memory Makers mag.
Also, I did NOT watch the news last night or this morning. I know I'm not alone in the news bringing my mood down.
So far, I've only downloaded 4 songs for my Ipod. I hope to download more songs soon and take a nice, very long walk.
I'm also keeping it a secret from Jewel, but her G'ma Kris suggested a very fun idea to me the other day and if all is a GO it will be something for me and Jewel to really look forward to.
Next weekend is the big recital weekend! I have cleaning and food planning to do-at least dessert and drinks. I have regular (non-flavored) coffee in the house for Frank's dad so I can check that off my list :).
that's all. Today is SO much better!!!!!!! Knowing Frank will be with me this weekend is HUGE. I also have a walk planned for tonight with Michelle.
Sat a.m. I have my allergy shot appt, errands, feeding one of my client's cats, and in the evening babysitting my other friends girls. Sunday, I teach children's church and then our grand outing to Ankeny! ah its the little things.
I hope you all are doing well.
Jennifer

American Red Cross. For anyone who doesn' t know this it is possible to make donations specific to an area (China for example) at your local Red Cross; the lady told me any and all donations are welcome even for smaller amounts. I tried to quit thinking about those suffering in China, but couldn't do it I had to do something; even if it was something small. End of public service announcement for today.
My new walking buddy had to cancel; I was completely bummed b/c Kellie and I only get to walk once a week. Michelle and I are suppose to walk this Saturday if her work schedule allows. I'm trying to loose abt 5 lbs or turn 5 lbs of flab into muscle; its not going so well. During the time I would have been walking I fixed a few errors on my family tree database (there are many more to go-individuals got duplicated so I need to delete dups reconnect others, etc), cleaned a little, and kept an eye on the kiddos.
Then we went to watch Frank at fighter practice; we stayed to talk ot his cronies and then went out for dessert (dinner for Frankie). Stayed out way to late; got further behind on household tasks and homework. I miss Frank. I'm so ready for school to be out.
Frankie works Memorial Day-my friend whose hubby typically also works Memorial Day took the day off so they could take a day trip. I want to pretend the kids and I will do something fun, but reality says we'll stay home and try to get caught up on housework-good and bad.
I feel defeated today. Maybe this weekend will be really productive and then I'll feel better.
later gaters
Jennifer

I GOT IT!!! Yesterday, when I got home from work Frank presented me with my Shuffle Ipod. We only have dial up at home so it took over 9hours to download the needed program so I had to wait until this a.m. to dowload any tunes. It was taking abt 20-30 min per song download also so I only started 3 song downloads. These last two years, Cannon needed to use the internet for science so we might try to budget in DSL. Both Cannon and I are not patient people so with us both using the internet we might "go for it"!. I also got an Itunes gift card worth 25 bucks!!! I was joyous.

Today, at work was crazy busy (the H.R. manager has been gone so I've being performing double duty), but I also feel a productive day. I made errors on 2 deposits last week, but today figured out a way to solve a problem so my boss told me I'd done a really good job-I feel I'm balanced now with my errors and good job.

Tomorrow, I have my allergy shot, Jewel has recital pics-full costume, cleaning, errands and in the afternoon I'm suppose to go help my aunt with her kids while my dad and uncle re-roof their house. My cousin, Ashley, had surgery today in Mason City.

Sunday I have my procedure prep (yuck) and both kids all day since Frank works. Monday is my special procedure day :) tee hee. I will see a specialist this time who promises to put me "more out of it". Last time I was numbed, but fully awake-no fun when biopsies are being performed. Oh well, enough whining. Frankie will be there to take care of me and he is always SUPER awesome about handling these situations because he knows I hate them and would rather just ignore the entire situation.

Tonight, Jewel and I are going to my friend's Pampered Chef party. I don't plan on ordering anything, but just helping with her girls during the party. They live within walking distance so it should be no big deal.

Oh time to close up the office, pick up supper and get the tyke.

Smiles,
Jennifer

Busy weekend. I haven't gotten a Mother's Day gift yet, but I believe it was because of our busy weekend not for a lack of caring. On Friday night my wonderful husband put together a 40th birthday DVD for my sister. I had been working on begging family members (her husband's side too-she and Tom have been together for almost 20 years) for pictures. These pictures arrived in all sorts of formats saved on different discs or email etc. My mom was having problems with her scanner so several of her pictures needed some serious cropping. I had my friend's husband download several songs for me; which Frank had to then synch with the picture groupings I wanted them with. I had saved several pictures I had scanned into what I thought was the program Frank used, nope I was wrong. So.. it ended up being not so simple a project as I'd imagined. If all of the photos had come from my personal albums it would have been much simpler, but not nearly as comprehensive b/c I did not own a camera until I was 10 years old. Besides, since she is really close to both of her sister-in-laws I did not want to leave out 20 some years of that part of her family. The dvd of pics from one of her sis-in-laws (they both live out of state) did not arrive in the mail until Thursday a.m.
Saturday we got up did typical morning errands and cleaning then left for the b-day party. We had some bumps in the road so Frank was unable to attend the party with me which is too bad he gets along really well with my brother-in-law (whom the party was also for Tom turned 40 in March). Frank saved the day and stayed at my parent's house to entertain our children. I tried to make it easier for him by buying Cannon a new DS game and prepared a snack and craft bag for Jewel. He did get help from my parents after they returned from the party. For the 1st time in several years I got to see my mom on actual Mother's Day. Jewel picked out a hot pink colored Lily for my mom and we got her a small amount of a Culver's gift card. To treat my boys, Sunday morning before we left we ate an early lunch at Popeye's; both boys love their chicken. I had biscuits-the only vegetarian item on the menu. They were good biscuits, but not a very low-fat high protein lunch I'm guessing.
Gotta leave to get the girl for dance!

Tootles,
Jennifer

Now I'm the brat. When Frank asked what I wanted for Mother's Day. I hesitated, but then finally gave him an honest answer. I hesitated because what I really truly want is something I consider expensive. I've done such a good job sticking to our budget so we are doing okay right now with money,but should be really socking money down on a few of our debts or saving for a newer car b/c Frank's is super close to dying. However.. I asked for an Ipod. I have such varied and weird tastes in music its hard to find a CD that I like even half of the songs. Plus when I walk and want music I carry my CD player in my hands and then need to switch hands when it gets sweaty, etc. I don't know what Frank will decide is best,but I'm kinna excited to see if I get it or not. I thought Ipods cost abt 100 dollars, but a lady I work with said they are closer to 200 bucks. If they are truly 200 bucks-I would feel guilty for the present. Who knows..
that's all.

Smiles,
Jennifer

Spoiled Cannon with his bow.

Ash and Jewel during the VEISHA sleep over.

Cannon with his 12th b-day cheesecake; thanks dad.

Cannon's expression when he opened his D.S. for his 12th b-day. It was this or a party; he chose a "big" gift.

quick post. Frank is sick so I need to leave early to take Jewel to dance class. I've got a few cute pics to post.