I doed it!

Well (put hands over ears) crap! I did it. Didn't really want to, but I did it anyway. I turned (gasp) another year older. If you're on Facebook, you know how old that is.

Here's the cute and funny card my sassy and beautiful daughter gave me.




(don't know why it's sideways)

The festivities started Saturday afternoon. After our annual Primary "Meet the Teacher" activity/breakfast, Elizabeth, Julie, and Valynn (sorry for the shameless theft of your photos Valynn) took me to Taco Bell, er uh, Olive Garden for lunch.
We had fun and they had a turn watching me blush for the birthday song. I know I have enjoyed watching them on their birthdays! Maybe a little too much.;)

Me and Elizabeth

Valynn and Julee

On Monday night, Lee and Mark took me to dinner at Mi Amigos. I never knew they sang to you there until I got my birthday coupon. I got $5.00 off my meal, free sopapillas and a song complete with sombrero! They start singing as they leave the kitchen so everyone in the restaurant is staring. Then, who should be walking in about the same time? Joanne and Tom Asburry and her twin sister and her husband. They were seated right next to us. Great! Witnesses!!




Tuesday,(yesterday) my actual birthday, Lee had wrestling reffing to do and Mark had Mutual, so I settled in for a day and evening to myself. I made myself a chocolate cake and went to Party City and bought myself a balloon bouquet. For all they knew I was buying balloons for a "14" year old girl!

About 3:45pm Brittany came over. She had taken the day off work, just for me! What a sweet and wonderful daughter. Brittany took me to get my "paws" done, front and back. Then, she took me to dinner at where? Drum roll please..........big surprise........Olive Garden! Anyone know that I love Olive Garden? MMMMMmmmmmm pasta, salad, and breadsticks, oh my.

I received 24 "happy birthdays" on Facebook, a handful of birthday cards, and phone calls too. Lisa Perry came over and brought me a small tin of Danish butter cookies because we had run into her and her family at Target last week and I was looking for some. I don't think she knew it was my birthday, but, I'm counting it anyway because it was ever so sweet and thoughtful.

So, thank you everyone. It sure made a wonderful day and look, I get another year! I'm going to make it a good one. My love to you all.

Happy New Year, New You

You know that you have seen them. Don't lie. They started about the day after Christmas. Designed to conjure up doubt and lose confidence in yourself. Do you have any idea what I am talking about yet?

Overindulge a little over the holidays? Step up to the company potluck one too many times? Ate your body weight in cinnamon rolls, chocolates, Christmas cookies galore, all the while washing it down with some delicious, creamy hot cocoa?

It's time. The piper needs to be paid. Your number is up.





You know who you are. So all you girlie men get out there.


I am Hans, and I am Franz, and we are here to pump (clap hands once)....YOU UP!

If that isn't motivation enough for you, I'll send Billy Blanks over to kick your lily white seat cushion!

Out with the old, in with the new?

I finally deleted my Twilight countdown widget even though I said I wouldn't. I have decided I was harboring a tiny little obsession with all things Twilight. I realized I had a problem when I check out at the store; if there is even the tiniest of pictures of Rob Pattinson on the cover of the magazines, my heart just starts to pounding and I vow that I will run out and go see the movie......again!

Adolescent obsessions aside, with 2009 just 35 hours and 49 minutes away, I think I need to return to the real and rational. I don't really believe in resolutions, but I do believe in goals. Resolutions are about as good as the paper they are written on. I have set some goals for myself (none of which I will go into detail about here) for the new year.

I will be happy in 2009. I will spread sunshine and joy wherever I go. Do you know why? Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me!

The boys visit with Santa.....

Lee and I were running some errands today. We didn't really want to go anywhere with all the crazies out there, but prescriptions need to be picked up, dog toothpaste needs to be purchased, etc. We arrived at Petsmart for said toothpaste and Santa was there! I perused the store and looked at the rescue dogs while Lee ran home to get Berkeley and Riley.

They were so excited to see Santa! Riley asked Santa for a big new rawhide to chew on, and Berkeley asked for some liver treats. They told Santa that they had been very good boys this year. Berkeley told Santa he only scolded Riley a few times with his teeth and that he would try to be more patient. This is Riley's first Christmas and he told Santa that he only destroyed one ornament and knocked off the wooden cranberry string. Santa told him that was okay, he was new and over-excited about Christmas.

Berkeley and Riley want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas

She's Baaaaaccccckkkkkk.

Lest you thought that I have completely neglected my blog, I have returned. Now this might get lengthy.

Didn't I tell you that the Beagles love you, Grandma?

I have a running dialogue with my dear mother-in-law. I love her, as you will soon know. Let's just say she is not an official fan of Berkeley and Riley. I, however, am always telling her how much they love her and miss her. The picture at the top of my blog is of Berkeley and Riley "looking for grandma". They look for her everyday. She, for her part, just chuckles and says, "Yah, right."

Well, I mentioned in my last post that Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came for a visit. They decided to stay on until Mark had his orchestra concert tonight. I have visual proof of the Beagles love for their grandma.


We let Grandma hold the treats so as to focalize the beagles attention.



Riley could not contain his enthusiasm and got right on her lap! Grandma is shrieking at this point because the dogs keep jumping up on the couch and getting up close to her face to give her the extra loving that only a dog's tongue can provide. After all of this, how can she doubt Berkeley and Riley's love for her?

We love you, Grandma!

What? Another teenager?

This morning I went into Mark's room to wake him up for school as usual. Look what I found! My house has been inhabitted by a new teenager!

Of course, I had a hard time waking him up since his big sister, Brittany, (who has moved out of the house now :( woke him up at 2:30am this morning. She came over right after work to bring Mark his birthday/Christmas present. A Wii! Mark has been wanting a new game system ever since they quit making games for XBox. (Not 360, just plain "old" Xbox) He played for about an hour and went back to bed.

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came to town for a visit, and to see Mark for his birthday.


We went to Olive Garden for his birthday meal. He sat at the head of the table and had the fettucine alfredo.


After all, there aren't many places you can go to eat where they will sing to you for your birthday. I can't believe that my baby is 13. Where is all the time going?

M is for many things. Your wit, humor, and intelligence.

A is for always being a wonderful son. You are a blessing to our family.

R is for reaching for the stars in everthing that you do.

K is for your kind and soft heart. I so love that about you.

Mark, I love you and want you to know that you are our precious son. We wouldn't be the same family without you. Happy Birthday Wonderful son!