The Year in Review...

I jumped in and joined THIS party... Jules from the Roost is hosting a photo party! I love a good party... especially when I get to show off... It was hard to chose just ten photos to round off the year 2008. This was a tough year for us, but it was also one of the best years we have had the pleasure of enjoying! So here are my top ten picks of 2008 . Most of you have already seen all of these, but it is a year in review... so lets review. In no particular order:

Heres to a year of absolutely georgous sunrises! Right outside my front door available in full color for my own viewing pleasure.

I love this photo of the boys having a hula contest. I never knew Markypoos hips were so flexible. Of course this was before his injury... bummer.

Ahh... Remember this... "Oh My Gosh, I really won!!!" I tried to call my mom to tell her I was one of two people remaining to win this awesome truck, but I was shaking so badly I was unable to press the numbers on my cell phone. I toyed with the idea of selling it, but just could not bring myself to do so...

I was away at work on Danika Banika's birthday, but look what happened while I was gone! My wonderful family stepped up to the plate and completely decorated the house for a surprise birthday party for her. I have the best family around!

Kindergarten graduation day! Danika took a little time out of her busy day at the high school to walk over to the elementary school to witness her brothers graduation! What a good sister she is! And look how much he loves her!

Ok, so this one wasnt this year, but I love to be reminded of how we started out in our country setting. See markypoo, in red, standing there in front of that little white shack? That little white shack was what we lived in for three years while we turned this little piece of woods into a yard and finally a home. If you want to know more about this you can check it out HERE

I love this photo of the kids and Princess O enjoying a beautiful fall day in Wisconsin.

This is a great shot of Tylen James and a couple of his buddies enjoying superhero popsicles and a garden sprinkler. I love being able to have friends over!

These little pink flowers grew in so nicely this year in the rock garden I have neglected for a couple of years... Evie dug them up and transplanted them for me. I love them. Alot.

Of course my Christmas gift from Markypoo tops my list of favorite moments. He and I had a very troubling year but it seems to look like things are on the mend. ;)

News Flash!!

Its snowing. Again. So far this morning we have about 3 inches of fresh new snow... Its coming down pretty hard too... Danika will be coming home sometime today. I really dislike when it snows alot...especially when loved ones are in cars.

Merry Christmas to me!!!

Please scroll down slowly...

Now, before you see what it is that Markypoo surprised me with I feel I must give you a little background on the man.

1. He loves money. That about sums it all up.
2. he has given me flowers on one occasion... I mean two. The first was when I told him if he planned to take me and the baby home from the hospital he WILL show up with flowers. The second time my sister shamed him into buying me a flower for my birthday.
3. His christmas gifts include... money, mens size 12 slippers and knee high mens socks. Oh yeah... I cant forget the buck knife he gave me a couple of years ago.
4. He wouldnt even part with money to buy me a wedding ring. I had to buy my own when we had the ceremony nearly 5 years ago.

But this year everything was different... He came up with an idea all by himself, went to the store all by himself, picked it out all by himself, and brought home this:


I know... Im still in shock!

CHICKEN SPOTS!!!!!

Every where you look spots and more spots! Poor guy!

He's even got them in places you dont look... like inside his mouth! Im sort of kicking myself about that vaccination right about now...

Christmas...

was wonderful! This has by far been the best holiday season of my lifetime! Oh, there were bumps and bruises along the way but guess who visited us at Grandmas house before Christmas???

The kids were all so excited! Santa came to check in and let the kids know they could rest easy because each and every one of them made it onto his "good" list! To prove it, he gave them each a gift a little early... Yeah for Santa!!!

Santa did keep his word and arrived at our house sometime around midnight thirty...Look what he left for the kids! I hope that big red one is for me!

After making a big mess...The kids loved what Santa brought for them, even though Mr. T just remembered he didnt give Santa a list this year...:How did Santa know this is just what Ive always wanted?" was the question that kept coming out of Tylens mouth all morning.
Tylens favorite gift on Christmas morning...
He likes country and rock and roll... Way to go buddy boy!

Time for a change...

This may take a while, but I am changing things up around this joint. I have the entire weekend off from work to get the job done. But I am also taking care of the boys who are not feeling up to par. Markypoo is having a difficult time with his back and can hardly wait for his upcoming surgery. He thinks he will wake up raring to go... I kind of doubt that but time will tell I suppose.

Tylen James is sickly in a big way... He has strep throat aggravated with a double ear infection... and for the cherry on top he has come down with the chicken pox! I know, I know. There is a vaccine for that. But, the vaccination is relatively new and I am relatively leery. But now, we dont have to worry about that do we?

So in the mean time, please be patient while I try to spruce things up around here...


P.S. Marky poo gave me the surprise of a lifetime for Christmas this year...Ill tell you more about it later...;)

Letters to Santa...

Remember when I posted the school kids' recipes for making a Thanksgiving turkey? Well, I just cant resist those kids... Heres a few I really liked this week in the newspaper:

Dear Santa,How are you? How old are you?
I Just want a nice famemly so can you keep it that way?
Love Brett

Dear Santa,How are you? How do you walk so quietly in the houses?
I would like a surprise.
Love, Hanna

Dear Santa,Do you have 42 elves? Do you have 52 reindeer? How old are your reindeer? Thank you for the toys. I Love toys Santa claus. Did youeat my cookie? How is The Weather up There? How did you get your Job? I been very very good. Did you Put up your Christmas tree? Are the elves working? How is Mrs. Claus doing? What do you feed the reindeer? I want a light saver set.
Deven

Thank you for the toys you brot me last year. Santa do you think my sister is good? Are the reindeer sick? Are you retiring? Santa I want a toy double barrel shotgun., My sister wants Barbie dolls.
Tommy

Dear Santa,How do You know if people are good? How did You become Santa? Do the elves like cookies and hot chocolate? Santa Claus please please don't retire. Santa can You please get me pokemon cards. Wot do the elves eat? Wot do the elves drink? How is Mrs. Claus doing? I have been good I think.
PS. Love,
Elijah

And finally... my favorite....
Dear Santa,Thank you for evey thing yougave me last year. I hope you have a great year. My little sistre wants a big doll. My littls rother wants a truck. I want a new room. Love, Abby PS. Do you fly? Dos Mrs. Claus bake for you? How are the reindeer doing?Abby

Happy Christmas Eve!

Its Christmas Eve!
Heres a wish for you

I wish you love
I wish you hope
I wish you happiness
I wish you health
I wish you comfort
I wish you magic
I wish you joy
and I wish you peace.

Enjoy your day and may you all find some peace and comfort in the arms or memories of those you love.

Sulli

Honey I'm Home...

We had such a fun time with my family this last weekend...





It started off a bit shaky. The school had called and asked us to pick Tylen up he was running a fever... And he looked so pale when I got to the school I thought for sure we were going to have to cancel the trip. But... He vomitted a bit and rallied, then declared himself all better. So we risked all of my nieces good health and went North!

After making the decision to take sick Tylen on the trip, I learned that the furnace at moms house went out! OMG! The temps have been hovering around 20 BELOW ZERO in the nights. I was terrified. Markypoo has gotten me used to living with 75 or better temps in the house. But, it all turned out good. Freezing nearly to death is just like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it!

Before I went to see my family, I had to take care of my friends packing. So I had Markypoo drop me off at her apartment and I went to work. Well, mostly I just stood there scratching my head trying to figure out where to start. But we got it figured out and I packed it up. A quick trip to the local Kmart to finish off with neccesities and she was all set.

But... she didnt know who I was when I went to see her on Saturday.

Then we had a huge delicious dinner prepared by my mother...The real cook of the family!


YUMMY!!!





We had lots and lots of presents too. My favorite gift of the evening was this:



A simple mailbox. Painted by yours truly and given to one sister to give to the other. At first when my sister opened the wrapping, she said "oh. A mailbox. Thanks." And my heart sank, I didnt think she was going to open the box it came in... And I was really looking forward to seeing her reaction to the painting. There are red flowers on the other side. But after she checked it all out, I think she liked it.

After dinner that night Markypoo and Megan and I went to the casino where markypoo was the big fat winner of the night! Yeah markypoo!

Bec made it home safe and sound. Sortof. She was really not feeling well this weekend. Possible pnuemonia. And their brand new car was making a knocking noise... I worried about them the whole day yesterday. Im glad it turned out good for them.

All in all a good time!

Good News!!!

I am just full of good news right now.

First as I said earlier...I am going home! For Christmas! You would think that would be enough good news, but as we all know I tend to be a bit of a worry wart. So of course I needed more good news to go around...

Second the hospital social worker called me today and let me know that they are pretty sure they have lined up a nursing home for my friend. In a town where her only other friend lives! I am so relieved about that, but then the social worker told me that if the court system can not force Bettys daughter to take care of the rest of Bettys things, they will appoint someone to look out for Bettys best interests! Relief...So that means tonight I just need to pack up her stuff for her initial move into the home and bring it all to her tomarrow. Ahh...hear that sigh?

And finally...I contacted my math instructor today...He does not want to see me next semester after all. So I have closed out my first semester in college with a B average. not as great as what I wanted to do...but I am not going to complain one little bit!

Now, I am finally off.. last minute stuff to do, pick up the kids, and head on out in the purple people cruiser 5...

bon Voyage

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

yeah! I am going home today! Tomarrow is my family Christmas so that means its officially Christmas Eve! I am packing up the big rig...

I hear they are expecting a blizzard this evening... I sure hope it doesnt throw a wrench into my plans for my friend Betty... I hope it doesnt slow down our drive up there tonight...

The kids were having Christmas parties at school today so I couldnt pull them out early...bummer. Tylen would have been devastated had I done that! But on the other hand, if I had pulled him out we could be nearly there by now! Bummer!

I am so excited to get going. But first, I have to make a call in to my math professor, I am sure I can not wait two more weeks to find out the final grade... Or can I?

Tata everyone, have a wonderful weekend.
Sulli

Betty

I have been friends with Betty for 13 years now. She was 85 when we met. She has no family nearby. She does have a daughter in Florida. Betty lives on the Iron Range. Betty's daughter has not been to see her in 20 years! I know, shocking. Pathetic. But that is just the way it is.

I call Betty everyday to ease her fear of "dying in this place and nobody knowing until they can smell me." (Just for the record, that is the absolute truth of the situation) Betty uses a wheel chair and I doubt she is able to get into her bathtub. I have been gently coaxing her to consider an assisted living facility because she can no longer care for herself properly. Betty is stubborn. Very very stubborn.

Last weekend, Betty's neighbors heard her yelling. So they called the apartment manager who could not get into Betty's apartment because she had barricaded the door. So he called the police, who in turn called an ambulance. Betty was admitted to the hospital.

The hospital planned to let her out on Sunday. I begged and pleaded for them to keep her until I could talk to the hospitals social worker. They did. I did. Now they are going to put Betty in a nursing home. I am so relieved about that. But...

I tracked Betty's daughter down through the wonderful informative Internet. When I explained the situation her attitude was "She was probably drinking...What can I possibly do? I am in a bad situation myself..." I know. Horrible. The disgusting rotten no good sorry excuse for a daughter could not even be bothered to CALL her mother in the hospital to find out what was wrong. (I wanted to know and they couldn't tell me because I am not family)

Today, the hospital social worker called me to tell me they planned to keep Betty. And asked if I could bring some of her stuff there. I will be on the iron range tomarrow, so I called the manager of Betty's apartment and asked if he would let me in. (It would save me about 60 miles of driving) He said he would. Now...what do I bring? I have to pack twice. Once for the hospital stay, and once for when she gets to the nursing home. I am only going to be let in once (for now) so my mother said she would drive the nursing home stuff to Betty when she gets there. And I will bring the first bunch of stuff on Saturday.

I forgot to mention. Betty celebrated her 85 birthday last October. ;) She swears it! Now, I'm off to compile a list of things to get out of her apartment. And come up with something to tell the manager about when the rest of her stuff will be removed... Any suggestions?

Odds and Ends...

The tests are over... Yeah! I am pretty sure that I did so well in my math class the instructor will want me to take the class again so that I can dazzle him with my brilliance once more...

But now, that leaves me exactly 2 days to worry about weather or not Ive taken care of everything for my family Christmas get together...

I am such a wonderful procrastinator! Ive still got presents to wrap and goodies to cook... Sorry Dad, no cookies this year!

I am thinking about giving up worrying for the new year. I am really going to go completely gray if I continue on this path I have been traveling...

I can hardly believe Tylen is 7 years old already... time sure does fly.

Markypoo will be having his back surgery on the 8th. He's relieved... Thats because he doesn't have to live with himself injured...

When Mark goes in for surgery, I have rearranged my work schedule to allow me 6 days off from work in case he needs anything... That may have been a dumb idea. ;)

5 residents died yesterday in a 12 hour time period. I think that is more than the total number of deaths the entire time I have been working there... Strange.

well, I better get out and find a car that will start on the chilly chilly morning.
Have a good day.

Seven years ago...

Happy Birthday Mister T!!!!


"What?" you say... "Seven years?" You say... "How in the world did we get here?" Well, I will tell you...

It all started with a planned C-Section. Yes, planned. You see this little bundle of joy was due to be delivered on Christmas Eve. I know, I know. A terrible time to be awaiting the birth of a little brother. So, to spare Danika the anguish of possibly being with her Dad on the big day... I coerced my doctor into an early birthday...
8 pounds and 11 ounces is a big guy, but the 17 inches in length made him so little.


He was such a sweet baby. Sort of old manish looking, wouldn't you say?

We loved him. All of us. And then he grew...






Well, mostly just his head grew. We entered the "Charlie Brown Stage."




And, what would any self respecting mother do about that head? it was too hot to put a hat on it... So I accentuated with color! Happy Wedding Day Uncle Adam and Aunty Jo!!!



Soon he celebrated his very first birthday... Chocolate cake... Mmm Mmm Good!

Next he entered in this OMT. (Official Man Training)










It wasn't
easy. There were a few bumps and bruises along the way.



But mostly there were more smiles then wails and lots of puppy dog tails...










Against his poor mother's wishes, he went off to school... And became a first class ladies man!



Happy Birthday. boo hoo hoo...

Getting Closer...

And another one bit the dust....

Just one left. Thats all. One.

YIPEE!!!!!

Snow Day = Study Session

We are snowed in... I am so gonna get fired from my job. I had to call in again. I hear I was one among 17 that called in. I feel for the staff that was able to make it in today... but, I am not one to let my misfortune get me down. I have decided to turn my free day off into a study day. You know, big BIG final tomorrow... So I am studying. I hung out my sign "Do not disturb" sent the kids down to the game room with an all day pass to play video games...


Seriously, Dana, I AM studying... here's what I have learned... The heart is located in the thoracic Cavity...(smart huh? it gets better...) It is bordered laterally by the lungs, posteriorly by the vertebral column and anteriorly by the sternum. So now that I know where the heart is supposed to be, I thought I would show all you lucky folks where MY heart actually is :


Here. In our Christmas tree! Lets look closer to see if we can find my heart.

This is the first ornament that goes up on our tree. Yes, it is a baby shoe. Its Miss Danika's very first shoe. Look how tiny it is...

Oh look! Its Mr. T's shoe! Danika bought Tylen these shoes and presented them to me at my baby shower when I was still pregnant with Tylen. This shoe is the second ornament on the tree every year. In fact this shoe went on the tree before it went on Tylens foot!

The kids thought it would be cute if I put my own shoe on the tree... but sadly they don't make tree branches strong enough to hold my shoes, so I got a substitute shoe.

These little sleds came from Markypoo the year Tylen was born. He brought home four, because we were now a family of four.

Oh I remember this one... Its Danibelle in first grade. Isn't she just a doll! She made this in school and wrapped it up and presented it to me with the biggest proudest smile I had ever seen!

Mr. T made one for me in kindergarten. He also was very proud!

My grandmother used to tell me "its not a Christmas tree until you've added a birds nest. "I did not have my own birds nest and Cardinals for some reason remind me of Grandma, so I put in the bird instead of the nest.

Markypoo bought this bear for me the first year we moved out here. I was scared of bears back then. (some things will never change.)

This ornament was a gift from my parents the first year I shot a buck! How sweet is that!?!

This is the third ornament on the tree. If you cant tell what it is, Ill help you out a bit. It is Danika's favorite pacifier. The nipple has fallen off, its been a couple of Christmas' since she last used it...

And look... Here it is. My heart. The year of my divorce, I was broke. I mean capital B broke. And I didn't have a tree because I didn't have any ornaments. Because my ex husband still had them all. My mother made me a bunch of hearts and poinsettias to put on a tree. It was the best looking tree around!

Every year, when it is time to put up the tree, the kids pull out the box of ornaments. They take turns telling me what each and every ornament is "saying". Danika told Tylen years ago "If you listen closely these ornaments will talk and tell you a story."

That my friends, is where my heart is.

A Christmas Tour...

Again, in an attempt to get started on my studying for my big final tomarrow, I was distracted.

The weather outside is frightful, but here in my wonderful home things are soo delightful. I thought maybe my two devoted readers would like a look inside our home... I know, Im so vain...


These bunnies do not have names. We simply call them Grandmas bunnies. They once lived with my grandmother. They now live under my Christmas tree...Every single year since Grandmas death they have protected our tree and our family. I am not sure of the reason as to why they live under the tree. My grandmother kept them on an end table in her living room year round. But the day they were delivered to me I strongly felt they belonged under the tree.
Some of these photos are repeats, but I like them, so here they are. If you click on the photo and enlarge it you may get a look at Markypoo and I on the night before our wedding... Its pretty much one of the only photos we have of the two of us. We are camera shy around here. I know thats hard to believe since I so boldly posted a photo of my in my jammies...


This is just a thing. I had to have that serving dish one year, and havent used it since. So I filled it with some greenery and a few sparkling stars. Looks kinda cute.

This deer is brave. He stays on the window sill and keeps an eye on the temp. Today, it reads -2! Brr...

My mother gave me these sweet snowman dishes last year. I hardly ever use them, they are too cute. So I put them in the corner cabinet so that we can enjoy the cuteness...

I bought this Christmas goose last year as a joke for Mr. T. He was already planning on raising ducks and geese. He got a little upset when I told him I would finally get to eat have my Christmas goose... So I brought home this one to appease the tears. Markypoo brought home the penguin a couple of weeks ago so that the goose would have a friend.

This is my entry way. Tylen thought the snowflakes should hang here. Not bad... Makes a person glad to be inside the house on a day like today.

Also in the entry way, the snowman there is actually a candle holder and he has a wife and child. My sister gave those to me one year as a gift. I love snowmen!

And speaking of snowmen... This one also belonged to my grandmother. Her sister Arlene had made it for her one year. He is absolutely adorable. He looks ready to give you a hug goodbye. Dont ya think?

And look, another snowman... This one was a gift from my cousin Jettie! She stayed up all night long to make him for me... and his feet and hands and hat smell so good! She is the most creative cousin I know... This snowman has to stay up high, out of Radar's sight... Radar hates him and wants to chew him up!

Baby its cold outside....

Whats the best thing to do when the weather is nasty outdoors?

Its so nasty poor little Radar can only go out for about 1.78 seconds before his tiny little feet freeze to the ground...

Poor baby.

Well, when the weather is nasty, I try to create. I know, I know, I should be studying for my big final tomorrow...but who can concentrate when the wind is howling and when a friend posts a tutorial on melt in your mouth fudge!?!

I think I may have mentioned before that I can not follow a recipe. But its true. I don't know what is wrong with me, but if the day comes when I am standing at the pearly gates and St. Peter says to me " enter the heavenly kingdom just as soon as you make my great grandmothers favorite secret family recipe for me to snack on..." Ill be on the fast elevator going down.

Just in case you didn't get a good look before... look how clumpy this is... it tastes fine, but can not be cut into squares... what good is fudge you cant share?

So, terribly frustrated with myself and sure that Dana set me up... I considered trying it again.

But while I collected my wits and thought about the problem and started tweaking things in my mind... I worked on a little treat for Tylens Christmas party at school...

21 bags filled with treats and goodies... Those first graders are gonna love these... I hope.

Then it hit me... If I added more of this, less of that and maybe some of this stuff... Maybe just maybe I will end up with something I can share. So I set out with my new tweaked recipe that is remarkably similar to this one but not quite the same cuz, well, I cant do it if its written down. The ingredients are almost the same, the measurements are different and I put it all together differently so the step that was the same for Dana and myself was number twelve... YUMMY!

Now, if only I can cut these into squares...

Almost Home Free...

Two classes down...
Two to go...

Finals Week...

Ok, here I am in the final stretch for this first semester at school. My Psychology professor told us on tuesday that if anything can go wrong this week, it will.

I have been struck with a virus! I am unable to open any emails. This may seem minor, but remember I have two online classes. One of which I am waiting for my final essay to be returned from a tutoring service. It is ready but my computer is unable to open it! I am really pulling out my hair.

So If any of you have sent me an email in the last week or so and I have ignored you... Im really really sorry, but it is out of my hands.

I did have the online support technician make a start on cleaning it up, but now I need to wait for the infection removal technician to contact me with in 24 hours...

Until then... UGH! Im pulling out my hair... I hear bald is beautiful... Ill let you know!

The truth is out...

The real reason I got skunked during the rifle hunting season....



Looks to be all the deer I missed let go past me in the last couple of years... havin' a tea party right under my nose... Just like I always suspected they were doing...

Brotherly Love...

In just two more short weeks, these two brothers will be reunited...

They will be able to play until their hearts are content. Or until they cause so much mischief they will need to be separated.

I am sure they will enjoy their Christmas vacation together. Weather they are loving each other or giving each other grief...

Brothers and sisters need that time together.

Mixed emotions...

This is a story about a local family restaurant...

The place was busy, the waitress were running ragged and the cook was struggling to keep up with his orders. The owner was there running the cash register and taking care of the small convenience store that was connected with the cafe.

There were two men in line to pay. The owner was frustrated and complaining that his employees weren't doing their job properly. The first man in line says "Sir, whats wrong?" with a little chuckle in his voice... because he obviously knew what was wrong. The owner replies "If I could just get one employee to come back to work here, this place would be running smoothly again."
The second guy in line says "You don't mean Sulli, do you?"
The owner says "Yes! but she wont F'in come back."

How did I hear about this you ask? Well, I was taking a lunch break at my new job. And I tell my friend that I agreed to work a couple of mornings at my old job. To help out a little bit. She asks me where that job was going to be. I told her. She immediately back hands me across the arm and says "Your the Sulli my husband has been complaining about for months!?! They really need you back there."

So, I ask you, is this a case of "Small World" or is it a Major guilt trip campaign engineered by my former employer?