Brrrrrr!

It is FREEZING here! Despite the frigidity the politicos are still out and about - both Hillarians and Obamians stopped by. Tomorrow night are the caucuses - we're planning on going, but we still don't know for whom. The way the caucus is run it would be a lot shorter to be a Republican (that's the only reason I can think of though!)

The kids are back. I can't get warm. We have a new faucet in the bathroom. We had the care conference for my grandpa today. The home isn't doing very well in keeping his medications straight. The conference was very frustrating for me because where I'm doing my internship is very well run and they know all the residents very, very well.

I got a George Bush a day isms calendar for Christmas. Only 385 days til he is gone!

A Hot Date

Since Kurt has been gone since Thursday afternoon we made a lunch date. He had to come back this way to the office and I needed to go his way to check on my cows. (I'm keeping the cows I got for Christmas)(I'm happy with them btw).

He suggested lunch at Perkins, probably because he wanted pie. I agreed but then got a hankering for Mexican. We had a late lunch at Hacienda. Very yummy. I had lunch Chicken Fajitas and he had a beef taco and a chicken quesadilla. We both had rice and beans.

Then I went to the office with him and watched him install a part in one of the multitudes of data cabinets. Wires everywhere. I have no idea how he can make sense of any of it.

I stopped at the mall and used my gift card. They were having 50 -70% off sales. It is the only decent sale that I've seen anywhere. I got four body creams, two body sprays, one big and one travel size shower gels, and two glycerin soaps. All of it for $29.95! I'm set for a good long while.

I took Francis to get his stitches out this morning. It was a forty minute drive each way and approximately 7 seconds to take out the sutures. I should have done it myself. He is fine and without a scar.

F***ING ANNOYING

So far today, Hillary has called, Joe Biden has called, Obama has called. I got mail from all three of them as well as Edwards. Hillary and Obama people have both stopped by.

I think of the rest of the nation knew how much of this BS there is to deal with (it's been over a year I think) there's NO WAY they would want to be first in the nation.

Bill Clinton is nearby today. Chris Dodd has invited me to dinner in Waterloo.

Please please let January 3 get here!!

And We're Back!

Much like MacArthur we have returned! We got back for MN late this afternoon. Within forty-five minutes I was childless and husband-less. The former makes me happy the latter not so much. Kurt delayed work before Christmas so now he'll be gone until Sunday afternoon.

Our trip to MN was good. The truck is soooo much better than us all being stuffed in the Impala. Francis still hates riding in a vehicle. On the way back today though he was relaxed and snoozing. Probably because he was exhausted from playing with his "cousin" dogs, Sparky and Bandit, and youngest nephew, Ethan. Francis is currently passed out on the bed amidst Christmas presents. It was a very good Christmas. My husband is a very sweet and thoughtful man even though I am terrible at controlling my expressions. He got me a painting that I've been obsessing about since last summer. However, it's not the one I wanted. I really really like it though. I feel like crap for being ungrateful...or unpleased (is that a word?)He says I can check and see if the gallery still has the one I want. He says they looked all over and he's pretty sure it wasn't there.

With my single days ahead I hope to get some cleaning and organizing done. My scrapbook table is a disaster and it makes the entire kitchen look like ca-ca.

Christmas Wishes

Christmas Wishes have been fulfilled around here! The kids were up at 5:20 waiting for us to get up! We started opening around 7:45. Nick likes to pile the presents by name under the tree. It irritates me to no end, so this year instead of name tags I assigned them each a number. Then I realized that he could stack by number so I then assigned each kid a random number. It worked out pretty well. They are good a guessing what their gifts are too. Next year I think no presents will appear under the tree until Christmas morning.

We had our traditional oyster stew (and chili) on Christmas Eve at the farm. We've done this every year of my life. It's always been on Christmas Eve except for the year Marnie and Todd lived in Ohio. However, this year is the last year for that. Marnie and Todd want Ryan to wake up in his own house on Christmas morning. Also, Grandpa wasn't there. This is probably our last Christmas with him. I guess I have to accept change however hard it is.

We'll go back to the farm for Christmas dinner. Marnie and I are both bringing lots of food to help Mom out. We'll play BINGO after lunch for dollar store prizes. Then later in the afternoon we'll head to Rochester for Kurt's family Christmas.

Here's hoping all the best for you and yours. Merry Christmas Everyone!

No idea what to call this

i made chex mix (for the first time ever) last night. I'm doing two more batches now. It's misty/drizzly outside currently. We're waiting to see what the weather is going to do. The kids want to go shopping, I won't them to get some decent dress up clothes, and Kurt has to work in Davenport tonight. I am NOT excited about that. Last I heard tonight is supposed to be blizzard conditions.

UN - BELIEVABLE

I got a B in my biology lab! My grade point for this semester is 3.91!! SO I am OFFICIALLY a graduate of UNI. I got my diploma cover last saturday and now I can wait for the actual diploma to arrive (as soon as I finish my internship). I have less than 100 hours left.

Whew!

Lonely

Took the pooper to the vet to get neutered this morning. I really miss him (although it's been WONDERFUL not having to stand outside with him). I can pick him up tomorrow, bring him home, and then turn around and drive back to work.

Speaking of which - I only have office practicums left to do. I have around 120 hours to finish it. This week I'm conducting Medicare Part D sessions with our residents. So far no one has signed up, but tomorrow and wednesday I have short info/sign up sessions scheduled.

On Saturday I graduated with my BA in Gerontology with an emphasis in long term care. I'm glad I walked. It was pretty cool to see all the robes, hear the orchestra, etc. However, everyone forgot to bring a camera so the only pictures I will have will be the ones I can buy. Oh well. Lots of celebrating was done. I had a family dinner at Biaggis. Then on Saturday we ate at Red Lobster afterward and that evening had dinner with friends then drinks with other friends. It was nice.

My grandpa is in the hospital in the Hospice room. He seems to be doing better, but is still sleeping almost constantly. It's very difficult to see him there. Especially since he's in the room where my grandma died. I think they may have redecorated though. The strangest things will make me cry. I'm glad that I am close enough that I can go and see him everyday.

I'm watching VH-1's greatest songs of the 90's. It's reminding me of songs I'd like on my Ipod!

A Double Doozie

We're having a bit of a snowstorm. After work I drove the truck to Grandpa's to check on him and to deliver some homemade ham & bean soup as well as vegetable beef. Part way there I knew I'd made a huge mistake driving the truck. It's too big for me to be comfortable with it in snow and ice despite the 4 wheel drive. Kurt had to come and rescue me.

I got to Grandpa's right after Hospice had left. He's all signed up with them. He was very nauseous when I first arrived, but later managed to eat (and hold down) some bean soup and some Jell-o.

The second thing was that my grandpa's younger brother (who is 91) and also lives independently had fallen 2x yesterday. He has a heart thing that causes him to faint. This is the third or fourth fall recently. His hip is bothering him but they can't find a break in it. He is now in the hospital and has checked himself into a nursing facility. Uncle Melvin very upset about my grandpa which isn't helping. Plus their younger sister, Aunt Donna (who is in assisted living) is upset as well. Bad things happening to each of them just makes it a vicious circle. It's coming all at once. Yikes!

I knew this day would come...

My grandpa has been tired and losing weight. He and mom have been "doctoring" Grandpa has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nodules on his lungs. Mom told me Friday night. I held it together while I was on the phone with her. The second I ended the call I freaked out and went into hysterics. I was crying so hard I was almost hyperventilating. Kurt was driving (this was after we'd been to Christmas with Wartburg Concert)(wonderful btw) and on our way to Perkins. It was all I could do to dial the Wonder Twin and hand the phone to Kurt. Luckily, I have a very wonderful, understanding, and non-jealous husband. In this case, Brian just knows me and the history better than Kurt. Brian was able to get me to breathe and get myself under control.

I went over to Grandpa's today. It was 4:15 in the afternoon and he was in bed asleep. I've NEVER seen him in bed during the day...EVER. I took him some home-made chicken noodle soup, potato soup and some ground chicken. My aunt from CA is here. I hope she can be a help.

I realize that I have been blessed to have my grandpa as long as I have. He will be 93 in March. He lives on his own on the farm and is mostly healthy and independent. He recovered from a broken hip last year and made it out of the nursing home and back to the farm. I can't imagine him not being a part of my life. He's always been there. Every Sunday I know he will be at my parents' house visiting. He's had a long wonderful life as Brian pointed out. It's just that I don't want him to be in pain and to suffer. My grandma died 20 years ago last October from cancer. I was almost 16. It was horrible horrible horrible. It's still vivid in my mind and heart.

Wednesday is the doctor appointment to decide what, if anything, to do. Grandpa always says the way to go is to just wake up dead one morning. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen.

Turns out I'll be 36!!

A few years ago when I thought I was turning 33, I was, in reality, 34. I lost my ENTIRE 33rd year. Well, it's happened again!! Tomorrow I will be 36 and damned if I didn't think I was turning 35. Oh, the crushing disappointment.

My sister got me an I-tunes card. I got myself some cool tunes! Pet shop boys, Tina Turner, You sexy thing, John Dever, Santana with Chad Kroger, and a few more.

Kurt and the kids took me out for Chinese so I started and finished my meal with crab legs! We are celebrating tonight because tomorrow I'm going on Bed and Breakfast retreat with "work". This intern is really making out! Senior staff is having a team building activity. The B and B is famous for it's murder mystery package. Check it out .

It is FREEZING outside. Why oh why is it necessary for my puppy to have an audience to poop and pee?

Happy Thanksgiving from Omaha!

We've had a lovely Thanksgiving at my brother and sister-in-laws in Omaha. They are moving to Dallas in December so their house is a bit bare, but it's gorgeous! I feel like a bumpkin from the poor side of the family. I know that we aren't but I too would like a jacuzzi tub, marble counter tops, and hardwood floors! I suppose I could if I could come up with the cash.

The drive here yesterday was treacherous. We saw 38 accidents/cars/jack-knifed trucks on the way. We just kept plugging along. People are seriously idiots! How long have you lived in Iowa?? This happens every year get a clue people!

The boys(men)here are studying the ads, formulating a plan and charging up the two way radios. They are SERIOUS shoppers! I will be staying here.

We're going home tomorrow. We might stop in DSM and see my sister and nephew. We need to be home by 5:30 so we can rescue our puppy from the kennel.

To Caucus or Not to Caucus

Since we live in Iowa the presidential campaign has already been going on for WAY over a year. All the media outlets say how important the Iowa Caucuses are to the process. I'm not sure I believe that. I know that I'm sick of all the politicos being here. I get more phone calls from Barak Obama than I do from my friends!

I'm thinking that I should participate in the caucus since I'm here and I've listened to all these candidates for so long. It seems you can't turn around with out bumping into one or seeing their campaign bus.

I remember my parents caucused at least once when I was a kid. What else am I going to be doing on January 3? Also what's the point if the person I like isn't one of the front runners? The media is saying that if Edwards doesn't win here he may as well hang it up. If that's the case what chance to Bill Richardson or the guy with the big ears and the hot wife have?

I've been tagged!

Marn's friend (and mine) Jen tagged me. As my sister mentioned Jen tagged everyone we know. I guess I could tag Kurt but he only blogs once a year.

THE RULES:1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

1) I too, have mud wrestled a hog at the Buchanan County Fair. (My team won)(two years in a row)(I have the trophies to prove it)! Go Conklin Crushers!

2)I was the only one of my friends not to get kicked out of National Honor Society for getting picked up for underage drinking. (I was also one of few who didn't get picked up for underage drinking period).

3)I have rocks in my head and you can still feel them. When I was 6 or 7 and had just learned to ride my blue bike with the banana seat; I was cruising down the big hill above our house. The nasty little boy next door cut me off with his big wheel. I crashed and face planted into the freshly oiled and graveled street. My forehead was cut open and the rocks went in.

4)I'm obsessed with melanoma. I'm very fair skinned so I've always burned easily. Then my mom got skin cancer and the obsession increased. I'm always slathering on the 50 proof sunscreen, wearing a hat, and trying to convince my friends to do the same. Rikki, have you called the dermatologist yet??

5)I fell down a cliff in San Francisco. I was trying to humor my aunt on the Trek Across America. I fell just past the sign that said "Warning Dangerous Surf - People have been swept away". It was where the Sutro Baths used to be.

6)I drove myself to Canada one Labor Day weekend. I saw Kakakee Falls, I mined amethyst, I saw a porcupine, and I made it back home alive. Some people were convinced I wouldn't nor could they believe I went on a three day driving trip in a foreign country alone.

7)I am sugar cookie impaired. I cannot successfully make sugar cookies. My sister has the same problem.

If you'd like to post this about yourself - feel free.

Things that make you go hum

As of this morning in the past year I've lost 48# I can't think of anything that I've done differently than I've done in the past 20 years. I don't drink as much pop, but I'm back on it to some extent. I guess being nauseous every morning and every night probably helps. As did the months when i was gagging.

I've had several medical procedures/exams to no avail. I feel alright. I hope the weight keeps coming off.

Tomorrow night Kurt and I are going to the play "Cloud 9". Plus our tickets for the Nutcracker just came. As a student I can get a half price ticket. If it's a school production I can get a free ticket. We better get tickets for anything we want to see before graduation in December.

Woo Hoo!!

While scanning entertainment"news" this morning I see that Bon Jovi is kicking off a world tour. I LOVE Bon Jovi!! So on April 22 you will find me at the Wells Fargo Arena!

Free at Last!

Well I'll be free tomorrow anyway. I'm in my dietary rotation right now. I HATE it! I'll be so very glad when it's over. I'm totally an office person now. I've done my food service stint. My pizza making, chicken cleaning days are DONE!! I haven't learned where I'll be going next. I still have Business Administration, Human Resources, Environmental Services, Administrative Organization, and 40 more hours of Governmental and Legal Aspects left to tackle.

Today was BINGO day at the home. They love it! One lady came down an hour early and wanted me to get things started (I kept sneaking out of the kitchen). They play for candy and little bags of cheetos. The cheetos are by far the most popular!

Tonight we went to Alex's first choir concert. He joined because his girlfriend is in it. He claims it's because he likes to sing. Whatever. There are 96 kids in the concert choir. I think that's pretty good for a high school with an enrollement of less than 400.

I have a biology test over genetics tomorrow. Yikes! I'm not good at those punnett squares for figuring out if you're going to have a trait or be diseased.

I finished our book club book. It was excellent and a departure from what we usually read. It's nonfiction (with some fiction in it) about the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It's called The Devil in the White City. It's also about a serial killer who was operating during this time period. I highly recommend it. It should be interesting to see the book club ladies like it.

Four Thumbs Up!

Saturday Kurt and I went to lunch the the Lucky Buffet ($13the two of us!) and then to the theater ($5 bucks each). Despite hating baseball I tend to like baseball movies. The latest one out is terrific! Everyone who likes to feel good should check this out. It's based on the true story of a smalltown in Iowa that's going to lose its school and its identity. Norway isn't that far from here and the movie was filmed almost entirely in Iowa last summer. The local radio station put out calls for extras and often talked to the stars and the film makers. In fact the two morning dj's are in the film. One plays the coach of an opposing team and the other is the announcer.

We really really enjoyed the movie (despite Tom Arnold being in it)(I think he does a disservice to Iowa anytime he opens his mouth)(He makes us all seem like hicks and buffoons). He wasn't that bad this time around. Iowa is showcased quite well and very little of it seemed hokey or too "country-fied". The movie was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year to rave reviews.

School consolidation is a HUGE issue around here. The high school that I graduated from consolidated in the 1960's. Some people still aren't over it.

Really, check it out. Tell me I'm wrong. I don't think you'll be able to do so.

Something you Don't see everyday....

A horse and buggy running a red light!

The Boss's Wife

I went to a pizza party with Kurt's work team tonight. I had to go and represent as the boss's wife. Luckily the pizza was pretty decent.

I tried to blog yesterday, but my java script was off or something. I got frustrated and gave up. Today it works.

I'm wearing a brace on my knee. I went to bed saturday night and I was fine. I woke up Sunday morning and I couldn't bend my knee. It got worse throughout the day. Monday I went to Urgent Care and had xrays. Evidently I have arthritis in it and an effusion (which is fluid under the knee cap). They said if it isn't better by Monday to get a MRI to see if the miniscus is torn or if the ligament slip. Joy.

Our puppy is growing!