Bill and I have been working nonstop on this deck. We had run into a major problem. The top wasn't screwing on right. The head of the screw was being pulled through the 2x4 instead of bringing the spindal all the way up to the 2x4. After much scratching of the head,cursing, another trip to Lows,talking to a contractor,ruining 2 perfectly 2X4's, Bill decided to measure the spindals. They were not perfect, not even close. So he measured,stood them up on end and realized the decorative part was not even. Imagine his frustration. So he lined up the decorative part,then cut off both ends to make it even,and now everything is perfect. Of course it is 2:30 and we have one rail up. It will go alot smoother,now that he knows what to do. It is bull hockey that he even has to cut the spindals at all. But where there's a (B)will there is a way. I think contractors pay  home improvement stores off,so they'll get hired to do these frusterating jobs.

One of my very important jobs is crowd control. The animals just want to help.

Also making sure Harley doesn't lift his leg on ANYTHING!

See the difference. Much nicer.

One up three more to go.

Bill making sure the second top is going to line up smooth

He takes his frustration out by throwing the crap 2x4's and spindals way out in the yard. Yes another trip to Lows is inevitable. Menards and Gerkers evidently sell bad 2x4's. No wonder houses don't have the same quality of older homes.  Standards of quality have gone way down since then. I can't believe I got a smile out of him when I took this picture. He knows I'm gonna blog or scrapbook everything I

guess. What a good sport. 

I know I've fallen off the diet wagon. It's really hard. Today Bill informed me that he has to loose weight and get ready for his physical comming in June. Yippee, I have a partner now. We talked about doing pretty much South Beach,cause he doesn't want to give up bread. I want to start eating more chicken and healther meats. After this deck is done were going to go join Cera Land again and really work out together as a team. I'm really excited. Having him on bord should make this easier. It stinks working out by yourself. He said we need to hurry up and eat the pies that he bought last weekend. I laughed and sayed, "No we don't cause, I froze them." Anybody need some pies and yummy cake breads. I told him he can't be buying stuff like that. It's too tempting. Even Ashley secretly dove into one yesterday while we were out working on the deck. When it was time to eat,she had a belly ache and couldn't eat. It wasn't till after dinner that I noticed,almost half the loaf of lemon bread was gone. I went to tuck her into bed and I asked her about it. She admitted that she got into it and made sure I knew she used the butter knife not a sharp one. At least she got something to eat and didn't go to bed hungry.
 Deck is taking a little longer then I thought. Part of it is on a trip to Lows I talked Bill into buying different spindals. They are colonial spindals and look sooooo much better then the other ones. The only problem is we can't stain it all right away. So we will have a multi color deck till next year. Oh well. I'll take pictures later.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 We need some serious help. We are trying to figure out where to go for vacation.  If we don't figure it out soon and start planning the year is going to be over. Haha. I want to go visit our old stomping grounds in Tucson,AZ then travel up to Sedona. Bill not so much,he thinks too much is going on there right now.  So my other idea Disney World. He on the other hand is like, been there done that,don't care to go back. Says too hot and too crowded. True,but lots of fun. He's thinking Gatlenburge,TN or Gulf Shores,AL.  Of couse when we want to go is prime time, and cabins and hotels on the beach are really pricy. I want to see the  mountains,nature and want to enjoy local arts. Bill wants excitment. Two totaly different ideas for a vacation. Actually we both agree on Las Vegas,but taking Ashley there is out of the question. Any ideas????????????

On another note, I rented Sherlock Holmes yesterday. I couldn't believe I was able to rent it since it just came out . Bill turned his nose up at it,so I watched it today. Let me tell you it was awsome! It had a good story and awesome efffects. It's a must see. Debating on turning it back in today or watching it again. I know Bill will really like it too,it gets your attention right from the start.

Right now just waiting for grass to dry so can get out and mow. Tomorrow either working on closet or deck,depending on weather. Our long list of to-do's is gradually shrinking. YEAH!!!!!!!

I just don't get it. All week I've busted my butt and not one pound lost. Bill has lost 4 and I've done way more then him. Talk about a bummer. Maybe next week. Maybe it's just cause my body's in shock because it's not use to working that hard. The neighbor was so impressed with all that I was doing,he had to stop by and compliment me, saying that I work just as hard as any guy. Thanks, I think?.  I think all those years skiing  made me really strong. It may be covered by fat,but the muscels are still there. I probably have higher testorone levels then Bill too. Scarey huh. Don't tick me off. haha Today I cleaned Mom's house,then mine and mowed. OK mowing wasn't taxing on strength,I just zone out and relaxed. But today was a full day,and I'm completly exhausted. All week I've been going to bed before 9:30,that's very unusual for me. Don't have anything real fun to post. Cleaning out is no fun at all,but things are looking really good around here. We have a long to do list,and I'd like to get it all done before boating season.  I can't wait to get back out on the water. I do believe that is my favorite thing to do for fun.  I can't believe all the years that went by without one.

We have been super busy these last few days. We spent all day  yesterday taking scrap metal  to a couple of metal recycling centers, and today all day cleaning up our woodstove area and taking it over to Andy's to burn,since we can't burn here. THANKS Andy and Becky!!!!!!!!! I like that things are getting cleaned up around here. About time. Tomorrow I mow and clean the inside up. Sometimes I think I get more rest at work. Haha.

For those of you asking Ashley got(all) 7 A's on her report card. I guess money really is a good motivator. On times tests she always falls just a little short of finishing. I told her if she got all 40 on her 1 min timed test I'd give her $1. Today she came home all excited cause she did it. I'm so proud of her. She also took her report card money we gave her and bought a couple of books at the book fair. I'm so glad she likes to read. In math the whole time till now she got B+'s and since she brought it up to an A she has been chosen for an award. One kid per class. She's so excited. There is going to be a pizza party,motivational speaker and awards given out at this event,so to her it's a pretty big deal. She is also walking for United Way on March 22. If anyone interested in donating let me know.

On another note for those brave enough to try I found a really good thirst quencher. It's an actual recipe, so no it's not because I'm pregnant.(I wish).
Pitcher of water.lemon,mint leaves,thin slices of cucumber,and ginger. It needs to sit overnight to get the full flavor,will need stired before drinking. I went ahead and added benifiber too. It really keeps your hunger at bay and tastes great. I do think a pregnant woman thought up this recipe cause very strange ingreadients.

Today was such an awesome day!!! We went cruising all over today with my best friend Vickie. It was so beautiful out. We eventually ate at Subway and then back to our house for a bit. We somehow got to talking about how I needed to do something with an overgrown flowerbed and she said,"You got a rake and shovel?" "Yeah." "Go get 'em." I thought she was kidding. Nope! So we got busy and cleaned it pretty much out. I couldn't believe it. It looks amazing.  She loves doing that kind of work. She's the coolest friend ever.

After school, was scrapbook club,so in the saddlebags are a bunch of scrapbook stuff. I bet I'm the only one who has ever put that kind of stuff in there.

I am truly LUCKY to have such a good friend.

I don't know what I'd do without her.

Being the scrapbooker I am ,while riding I whipped out the camera and took a picture of her in action. 

Definitely going to have to do this more often!!!!!!!

Just a few amazing pictures. Hold onto your hats. The dogs were very eager to go outside,so Bill opened the door and they ran as fast as they could to this fairly large snapping turtle. Bill of course had to mess with it and take a few pictures. Kind of cool seeing one of these older turtles.I'm surprised the dogs (and Bill) didn't get hurt. Sugar kept going up to it sniffing and jumping back when it snapped.

Now I want you to take a close look at these next photos. No it's not a trick or someone elses's garage. Yes you can believe your eyes. Bill and I spent an entire day cleaning out the garage. Nothing like the threat of hail to get you moving. We took much of it to Goodwill,WIC,reycycle,and rumpke.

Yes obviously we have much more work to do in there,but we have all of Bills toys tucked away. Yes you can walk all the way around the car and open the door . Now that deserves a huge pat on the back.

I was able to take a few hours off work to go spend Easter at Mamaw's. The food was fantastic as always. Best ham I have ever had. I can't decide what's more fun,watching the boys hide the eggs, or the kids finding them. Bill likes to look for odd places to put them. Andy and Jeremy are content with throwing them and see where they land. Andy at one point dared Bill to climb an antique ladder and put an egg in the birdhouse. After a few attmepts,he made it,but was unable to get the egg out of his pocket. I can't believe the old ladder didn't break, the rungs would not hold him so he climbed up the side of it. I'm surprised he didn't have to go to the hospital.

Tessa was the first to spot the goodies hidden in the tree. It wasn't long before all the kids came running.

Balloon rockets. The kids had so much fun with them. Lots of laughs. Easter Bunny is going to have to give Bill one next year.

 

The aftermath of a very Fun Time with a buch of hiper kids. Happy Easter !!!!!!!!!!!

Easter at Oma's House

 I got a call at work excitedly telling me what all the Eastrer Bunny brought her. First picture is Ashley getting a first glance at all her goodies.

Yes we are officaly crazy. Zu Zu pet have invaded our home. Check out the cute boat her hamster gets to drive around.

Last Friday truly was a Good Friday. After school we headed down to Madison to go to Clifty Falls State Park. We decided to hike trail 7 and let me tell you it was so much fun. We saw two beautiful falls and lots of rock formations. It reminded me of our hiking days out in AZ. At one point there is a choice to take, the rugged path or the moderate path. We took the rugged and it tkes you underneath a huge rock overhang and stream. You have to be careful not to trip over any roots or loose laying rocks,but it was well worth living on the edge. On the way back I wanted to take the moderate route, just to see what the difference would be. Let me tell you I'd rather take the rugged route over climbing 150 stairs straight up a hill. They should instead have a sign that says Broken Bones trail that way and Heart Attack trail this way.   We wound our way around to a park and the kids played on the tire swing . I can't wait to go back and explore all the other trails.

Friday was also Another Dr. Appointment. Dr. doesn't think anthrax shot is culprit. Waiting for more test results, but overall Bill is in great health. Depending on this outcome he said may just have to do an IUI in order to get pregnant. So that's were we stand as of now. Keep praying for us.