Indy trip

I have been invited to join the men folk to attend Monster Jam in Indianapolis. My husband, stepson and the grandsons are going to the event this coming Saturday. I am joining them and we are making a weekend of it ... including a stay at the Hampton Inn, and renting a van as none of us have a vehicle large enough for all seven of us. The boys have never been out of state or stayed in a hotel. I would have preferred warm climate but hey a weekend away is good for now...

I am sure I am the babysitter for the long ride down...the weekend will be too busy for me to have to worry about having to entertain 3 boys once we get down there...the hotel has a pool so between Gravedigger and it I should get to enjoy the day along with the guys...

And I finally get to ride in something other than a school bus! or drive either over the weekend.

After this long week of work, bad weather and plenty of co-workers out I deserve a Saturday off!

Spent the last 4 days living on the school bus!!! Whoooo Hooo good paycheck this month!

Tater...

My son and his new wife moved .45 miles (according to mapquest) from my house on December 31, 2009. I have been a good mom and not bothered them, after all they are modern working people who can take care of themselves.

UNTIL...I offered to make this cute girl of theirs my new walking partner...and they gladly accepted!

my second home....

Sometimes I feel like this is my second home...

freezing!

It's freezing here -7! and God only knows how cold it is with the wind chill...

I have gotten plenty of rest this weekend. I don't drink (anymore) so on New Year's day I was feeling fine. I cleaned between naps and will be ready to go back to work Monday...

At least the mechanics start our buses so I won't have to go into a COLD bus!

We have a four and 1/2 day weekend on the 15th already ... the perks of working for a school district.

Stay warm, stay positive, keep pushing forward in 2010!

christmas...etc....

Another year goes by...another holiday in my large ever expanding family. Christmas was loud, gift filled and fun.

With the exception of the two youngest sons of my husband (who were raised by a self serving enabling mother) all the children made it to our house on the actual holiday.


The kids waiting to open their bounty...we expect them to behave and appreciate the gesture of receiving gifts. All three did fine, considering they received enough gifts to fill 20 boy's gift lists!



Ever the lover Dakota giving Aunt Lala a big Christmas hug.



My house is hectic with both older sons living here. The little boys spend most of the week here at their request. I find my sanity in my room with the door closed. I do spend a lot of time with the boys, but with all families breaks are needed. When I go back to work Monday, my schedule will be as before working nearly every evening driving sports trips.

The best break was when Mark and I took our mini vacation to Lake Geneva Wisconsin the day after Christmas. We had the hotel nearly all to ourselves and spend the majority of the time in their pool....we both enjoyed the much needed silence!


I did accomplish a lot over break. Easing Mrs H through this rough time of year I took extra time with her, I worked a couple of days, had a pamper day with Liz at the nail salon (a gift from husband he insisted I keep up my nails after Tim & Kristen's wedding), a mammogram (yay!) and yesterday we helped Kristen and Tim move into their new home.

Now it's time to rest, regroup, renew and set some goals for this coming year!

Happy 2010!! to all my blog (J-Land ) friends!!!