Monday October 29

Tomorrow is the big day. I am ready. I am still worried but not as much because I am just ready for it to be over.

Not much happened today. I was busy at work trying to wrap up a couple of things. We had the big kids tonight. Riley was bummed out because their dog Carmel (who has been living with their Grandma and Grandpa) is real sick and probably won't make it thru the night. Ashley was just excited (a 13yr. old for you) because her birthday is in 2 days. And she can't wait to turn 13! We called one of her friends tonight and she is going to come spend the night Saturday and we are all going out for supper. Ashley is really excited about her friend coming to spend the night.

Piper was in a great mood tonight. She wore her halloween outfit to the babysitters today. It wasn't her costume. Just this cute pair of leggings and a shirt that said Gouhls Just Want to have fun. It was a pretty cute outfit. I hope she is in that good of mood tomorrow for her Grammy. My mom is coming up to watch Piper tomorrow so we don't have to take her to the sitters. We really appreciate it. And now that surgery is so early I don't think the sitter would take her that early so I don't know what we would've done. So, Thanks Grammy!

One of the most important things for tomorrow is having my favorite jammies clean. I made sure I washed both pairs of lounge pants that are Steve's really - but now they are mine. They are clean so when I get home I can hop in them and hang out! They are quite the treat I tell you. They have old style pin-up girls..... with santa hats on.... I guess maybe someday I will shop for some new ones that are alittle more girly..... but how much more girly could you get. They are very comfortable so I am just going to keep sleeping in them!

Talk to everyone soon.....

Sunday October 28

Steve and Piper were both home on Thursday. I took both of them to the doctor. Piper seems to be doing better. She just had a little red in the ears he said. But Steve is still not feeling well. They have told him he needs his sinuses cleaned out for a 50% chance of not getting as many sinus infections. But 50% chance that it MIGHT not give him as many sinus infections - that to me isn't good enough odds for what they want to do to him!!!!

The weekend was good. I stayed home yesterday late morning while Steve went to the store. I hate the grocery. But I really didn't go because our little princess was sleepy and I put her down for a nap. She took and 2 hour nap. I was able to do somethings and that made me feel good. And the grocery shopping got done too!! Then in the early evening we went down to my brothers for a halloween party - it was basically for the little kids. There were a bunch of them running around. It was fun to see Piper around all those people. It was loud there and lots of people and little kids she had never met before. This one little boy kept hugging her. Finally by the end of the night when he would come up to her she would put her arms straight out and fend him off. Its was a good time and we left about 7:30 because I was tired and I wanted to get Piper to bed at a pretty decent time.

Today we went out to the mall. Macy's was having a sale (supposedly) We need winter clothes for Piper. I didn't find anything I liked. So we checked out Penny's - there wasn't much there either. I am looking for cheap clothes for some reason. Now that she is eating table foods. She trashes her clothes. A lot of her clothes are really getting stained. I don't want to pay so much for clothes then they get stained and I can't get the stains out. So, with that I took a trip to Goodwill. The one that is down at Covington Plaza. Well, I was really disappointed. I have only been in a Goodwill store twice before so I am not a seasoned Goodwill shopper. They didn't have many kids clothes at all. So within 20 minutes I was out of there! I headed over to Once Upon a Child. I was in there the other day WITH Piper and needless to say I couldn't shop so I went back out today. I got her some jeans, kahki and 3 shirts for $33.00. It wasn't bad. One shirt still had the tag on it. I told Steve I must be cheap because I was expecting garage sale prices and these were alittle more expensive from that. But still got some nice things without stains cheaper than new. I got home Piper was up from her nap and we went outside for alittle while.

Ok - in regards to saving money..... what are the ways my faithful readers save money??? What things or thing do you do to save your family money? Please leave all your bits of advice in the comments section!

Also, something Steve and I have decided to do is every week try a new receipe. Steve found what looks like a good one in my Better Homes and Garden magazine. Its a turkey tenderloin one.

Wednesday October 24

Ok - I am still really pissed off about this surgery re-schedule thing. I just need to get over it and move on. But last night while I was not feeling good then I got even more pissed off because not only did I have everything all scheduled - but I DON'T FEEL GOOD.... HELLO! I wasn't doing this for fun. I was doing it because I don't feel good. So now I am still pissed because I WANT IT DONE! Ok enough of that crap.

Funny thing - I must be a wimp because my daughters hair needs cut - well mostly her bangs but it wouldn't hurt to have it all trimmed up. And EVERYBODY keeps saying "Just Do It" - trim up her bangs. I AM NOT A HAIR STYLIST BY THE WAY. I want to make an appointment (which I will do) and get her hair professionally trimmed by someone who knows what they are doing. I really don't want a hair cut like Dennis the Mennace (which is what she would look like if I did it) But everybody just looks at me like I am stupid. I can't cut a straight line on a straight line why in the heck would I "trim" my daughters hair........ But then again I am not to worried about the "you are stupid" looks I get - I will do what I want to do. If I think its right - its GOTTA be right! Right???

Our dog Gunnar got out of the back yard last night. So Steve went in his car and I loaded up Piper and we went hunting for Gunnar. Usually I get really upset and cry the whole time I am looking for him (I love my dogs) but last night I wasn't in the mood (until I found him - then I cried) We drove around for probably 15 min. - 30 and finally I found him back in the industrial park between 2 buildings and some guy was trying to get him to come to him. I wonder if he would have kept him or taken him to the shelter??? And of course I didn't have his collar on him. He has an ear infection which causes him to shake his head all the time and his collar makes a crap load of noise in the middle of the night - so I took it off. So the guy might have thought he was a stray and kept him. But my loving husband was quick to inform me that HELL NO he wouldn't have kept him - one day with him and the guy would be returning him...... Steve plays a tough card with the dogs - the I don't care card....... But I KNOW better. Or better yet maybe he just doesn't want to have to put up with a psycho wife if anything happens to them? Gunnar wouldn't last a night in the wild. There is no king size bed with his mommy there for him to sleep in!!!!

Tuesday October 23

UGHHHHH! I am so mad..... I just received a call from the doctor that is doing my surgery on Thursday - well suppose to be on Thursday. Well, now she is going to be out of the office on that day - they need to re-schedule my surgery. Glad I made the surger appointment 3 flippin' weeks ago and NOW she finds out she is going to be out of the office......... So, all my planning is out the window and its changed to October 30. What a pain in the rear-end....... How would the doctor like it if I called her today and said, "You know I don't want to do it this week" - I bet I would get a bill. And no reason offered what so ever.... I am understanding (just ask my step-kids!!!) so tell me why - a family emergency - OK I would understand. But WHY?????

Monday October 22

I had to go to the hospital today for pre-admission work. The nurse that did all the work was very helpful. She had the same surgery last November. So, that was really nice to talk to someone who so recently had the same procedure. Especially since I am in "meltdown" mode. Last night I thought Steve was going to take me to the hospital and leave me. I am so worried that they won't be able to do it the easy way. I am so worried that I won't wake up. I am so worried that they will find cancer when they get in there. I am so worried...... As my husband says - they won't find cancer when they get in there - they will just find that dead animal he has been smelling lately..... funny isn't he...... I am also worried because with the labs they take they do a pregnancy test. Well, as I told the nurse - it better be negative. Not that I think we have anything to worry about but I have to take this little pill every morning and some days I don't do so well with the remembering thing. I am trying to talk Steve in to the big V - but all he says is " Why you have a hit on my nuts" I don't have a hit on his nuts. I just want to make sure we don't have another kid!!!!

Piper was so funny tonight. She is trying to pronounce words. It is the greatest. You can tell she wants to talk so bad. Hey - she is half Haneline - like this chick won't be a talker - yeah right! But I feel so bad for her. Her bottom is raw. I hate when they are teething and it makes them have bad diaper rash. She was screaming at a diaper change tonight. She took a big ol' dump in her diaper and within a minute she wanted changed and then she screamed! I took the baby wipes and rinsed them with water to get the stuff out of them so it wouldn't burn. I buy the natural care ones anyway but they do have some scent. She seemed ok with that. I then put straight vitamin E pill on her bottom and that seemed to help some too. She is turning into quite the monkey. Tonight she stood up on her beauty parlor chair and was dancing. Her daddy was so proud. He tells her she just might be the kid (trouble maker) he has been waiting to have. See he tells the big kids all the time to get in trouble (which he doesn't mean) and they won't do it. So he has picked Piper to be his trouble maker..... I don't think so. See the above picture to see the monkey~

You know I am the queen of list. Don't all people make list?? I have a list of random things I think of that I know I won't remember again. I have a list of movies I want to see. I have a list of to do things. I have a list for shopping at each different store. I have a list of passwords for a bunch of different website I logon to. I have a list of authors and books I want to read. I have a list of projects I would like to do "sometime" I just have a list for a list..... I think I have all these because I can't remember shit anymore. Before my darling daughter I could do pretty good. But now.... they delivered my brain in with the afterbirth I always say.

Ashley had her show choir clinic on Saturday and she loved it. She did a very good job. She was right on with her moves and lyrics. She got a t-shirt (the highlight), her picture taken with a frame and a goody bag and a chance to perform on stage. She was in heaven. It was well worth the money!

Riley was just Riley this weekend. If he could sit and watch TV and leave EVERYTHING he owns just lay around life would be grand! He did though learn how to detail cars this weekend with Steve. Riley would like to start his own business detailing cars so he is in his apprentice program right now.

Just wanted to include today a picture of Piper with her new hair-do. Today she really looked like Pebbles. Her pony was sticking straight up!

Friday October 19

The week is over. Really it all went very fast. I didn't get all the things done at work that I needed to but I work until next Thursday so hopefully it all gets done.....I had a pretty bad attack today at work. It didn't last too long but it was a doozy. It just confirmed that getting my gallbladder out next week is the right decision.

We have the big kids this weekend. Tonight we decided to stay home because we have such a busy day tomorrow. Ashley is going to a show choir clinic. They are at the clinic all day and then in the late afternoon they put on a performance for the parents. It should be cool. While she is at that - the rest of the Weber clan are going to Huntington to detail my mom's car this weekend. She needs hers done too and that was part of the bushes deal. Plus Piper will get to go to Grammy's and Grandpa's again. My Aunt Jill brought the girls out a plastic slide so Piper will love to play with that tomorrow.

I can't believe Indiana had a tornado last night. Steve has 2 aunts that live right in that town. We will have to check on them and see if they need help with anything. Sounds like the town is pretty much demolished. Our work sent a Line Crew up to help one of our neighboring co-ops up near Plymouth that received alot of damage also. I am not sure how long they are suppose to be up there but probably until the co-op sends them home.

I am reading a book at home To Scotland with love and a book at work The Nanny Diaries. The Nanny Diaries is so funny. If you haven't read it yet - I would highly recommend picking it up and taking the time. I checked out the reviews for the movie - sounds like it might not be as good as the book. I have stocked up on books for my surgery time off. My friend at work today gave me 3 Nora Roberts as JD Robb books today and another friend gave me a book by Harlan Coben. If you haven't read any of his books.... I highly recommend him also. His books are excellent.

You know something I always wonder..... How many people live in a house that is just like the house on Father of the Bride. I love that house. I love the outside of it. I love the inside of it. I love the little carport thing that you drive under to get to the garage in the back. Someday I want a house that has a big upstairs like that - with the open staircase that goes to the long landing area. And I think about the kitchen - so nice and big and just perfect - everything in its place. How nice would that be?? And do people really live in a house like that? Where you walk in front door when you come home and you have the beautiful living room off to one side and the beautiful dining room on the other. I really don't know anybody who has a house "just" like that but we have many friends and family who have very nice houses.

Wednesday October 17

Well its hump day! Thanks goodness. Today we had parent teacher conference for Riley. We got an excellent report on him. He is doing good. Only 1 C on his report card in spelling. The rest were all A's & B's and the teachers love him. We even asked them to make sure they were talking about Riley Weber....... Ashley gets her report card tomorrow. And boy is she happy. Its all A's & B's she says. See.... she wants a cell phone..... and her dad told her make the honor roll and we will get you one. But she doesn't get it for just making it this time. She has to keep her grades up for awhile (around Christmas) and then keep them up to keep the phone. She seems pretty determined so she can be cool like ALL the other 7th graders. Yes, its called bribery but hey isn't that what our work does to us each day.... come here and work and I will give you money...... We are very proud of both of them.


Piper was in a really good mood tonight clear up till bed time. She is getting so big. She is starting to cough a bit. I hope she isn't getting sick. That is the last thing I need with my surgery next week. As Steve says " We will be fine..." Like quit worrying you worry wart....


You know I have this addiction. Its called Pepsi. Along with this addiction now I have gained at least 3 lbs. in the last 2 weeks. I drink it all the time. I started today going back to diet pepsi as much as possible. I mean I was drinking 24 oz before lunch.. drinking it at lunch... and then have 1-2 with a snack at night. That is a lot of calories just in soda and not to mention that I don't always eat a salad...... I like food. I just plain love to eat. Like right now I am hungry for breadsticks(which I ate at lunch today and craved my WHOLE 9 months of pregnancy) or how about some chicken wings.... boy those sound good too. And its 9:15 like I should be this hungry? Well, maybe some day I will learn to be one of those healthy eaters and have it under control. But its not looking so good right now. But let it be said - those things that sound good I don't even have in my house so I won't be able to eat them..... except I have PEPSI!!!!!! Oh no look out! Well, enough of my mommy blog as my friend Wayne calls it. Dogs are walked, kid is in bed and now I am going to unwind with the TV.

Monday/Tuesday October 16

Well, already the days are running together... Monday was Monday. We had the big kids and that was an exciting evening. Homework, homework and homework. Ashley didn't take a shower again Monday morning. She claims her mom didn't get her up in time. I can't imagine her mother not wanting her to go to school clean. Monday I just asked her dad (actually begging and pleading) to let me get her hair shaped up one last time. (long story behind the haircut - I have taken her several times, spent lots of money and she never takes care of her hair) And then she comes Monday looking all greasy and not taken a shower that morning. Well, I guess I dont' need to discuss that with him anymore - I pretty much know the answer.. Piper and I went outside and played on her new plaything that we bought from the neighbors. Its pretty cool. Except our big dog Sandy has to "mark" his territory on everything including her slide.... I think Piper is cutting more teeth. We have the sore butt, drool, runny nose thing going on again. I swear I feel like she has been cutting teeth since she was 10 weeks old. She has 6 teeth so far so we have plenty more to go.

Tuesday was boss's day. I forgot till I was on my way to work and noticed on this one sign that the people were thanking their bosses for a job well done and I thought what a bunch of brown nosers - you would think it was boss's day.... oh wait - it is. So, my co-worker and I took our boss and his wife to Red Lobster. It was nice. We all laughed and had a good time. I am having a tough week at work staying focused. Every day I go in with the best intentions and then my mind wonders. I really think I have adult ADD. I have lots to do before I have surgery next week. I need to get my butt in gear. But now that I think about it. I think its just me. I have this problem at home too. So much work and no ambition to do it. I guess what I need to call myself is a procrastinator. And boy am I a pro at it. Some days I have all the energy and desire in the world. Other days - well take it or leave it. The evening wasn't too exciting. I needed a run to Target - so after supper we went to Target. Speaking of supper- we had grilled cheese and tomato soup. You aren't going to believe this - I burnt the tomato soup. How in the hell do you burn tomato soup?????? Well just to let you all know.... its burns and it taste disgusting when its burnt! Piper has had her bath and is now down for the night(hopefully) now is mom and dad's time.

Sunday October 14

Well, I couldn't wait for the weekend and here its almost over and I have accomplished nothing. I am trying to get laundry done today. And OH BOY does the house need cleaned. So hopefully I get some of it done today too. Plus we have a grocery list the size of Santa's good kids list!!! So, that needs to get done today too. I tell you with working all week then you only have 2 days on the weekend to fit in all the stuff you don't have time to do during the week. I never have time and then I feel guilty when I play. And for me - I have to have a play day on the weekend. That was yesterday. We went down to my parents house. In exchange for my dad helping Steve come cut down and tear out a bunch of our bushes we had to detail the outside of his truck. The way Steve details vehicles - it is a 3 step (yes 3 steps) waxing system. So we actually waxed my dad's truck 3 times. It took awhile but boy it looks GREAT when its done. My dad was very happy with it. It was also nice because Piper went to Grammy and Grandpa's house. My mom always comes up to Ft. Wayne to see Piper but yesterday we went their way. Its really important to me that as Piper gets older she "goes" to Grammy and Grandpa's house. I want her to have memories of her Grandparents house - plus really look forward to going to their house. I want it to be a big deal to do to Grammy and Grandpa's house. So we will have to work on that now that she is getting older.

We called the big kids to see how Ashley's game went on Saturday. We got their answering machine. Which we often do. And some how they never get the messages and call us back.... huh?

Piper got to see her cousin Norah yesterday. Norah will be 6 months old at the end of this month. I forgot how little they can be. Plus when you have my girl trying to play with a 6 month old - she still needs to learn a little tenderness! She did pretty good. But we still have some things to work on! She knows alittle bit because of the other babies at the sitters. I can't wait for both of the girls to get a bit bigger and be able to play together. We decided yesterday that we feel sorry for Adam and Natalie's next child - because between Piper and Norah - they child will get picked on and probably beat up!

Friday October 12

Well, the week is finally over.... sigh...... Steve left work half day today and came home. He went biking because it was a nice day, spread mulch around some plants in the back yard and mowed the back yard. So, he may not have been at work but he was working hard! I stayed and work and made it thru the afternoon.... Friday afternoons are usually the worst. They last forever. We decided that tonight was movie night. We went to Kaysan's for wings and fries and then came home. Ashley's foster parents stopped over to give us our Christmas gifts! Boy does that feel weird. Christmas gifts. I have actually started buying some so that I am not strapped in December. We visited with John and Judy for just a bit as they had to go and Piper needed to go to bed. I got the stinker bear put to bed and Steve walked the dogs and we hit the sofa for the movie! We watched Black Snake Moan. It was ok. I have seen much worse and I have seen better. I consider it good because I didn't fall asleep!!!! It is not a movie I would recommend if you don't like movies with sex, drugs and violence. There is plenty and if that is something that bothers you - skip this movie for sure! Well, then it was 11 o'clock and way past us old peoples bed time!

Thursday October 11

WOW! What a week. Steve has had software people in since Tuesday and work and he has been very busy so each night he is tuckered out! It's payroll week for me so that makes my week busy so I have been right there with him on the tired thing. And this cold weather and dark mornings and nights. I wanted it to cool off..... but really. When I picked up Piper at the sitters tonight Mary had pulled her hair up in a little ponytail on top of her head. It looks adorable.... it also helps get some of her bangs out of her eyes. I guess I am going to have to break down and get her hair cut. I guess I am just not ready for that. It seems like yesterday that she was born and now she is this big girl who needs her hair cut. Just think it won't be long and she will be starting school. Piper is climbing on everything. Her monkey stage is kicking in. Ashley had round one of her conference for volleyball today. We haven't heard if she won or not. We will have to call her tomorrow night and find out.

I wish I wasn't so busy. I think of so many things in my head that I want to do and then when I have down time all I want to do is read, watch tv. I just get lazy. I guess I think I need some relaxing time but meanwhile my mind is racing hundred miles a hour on all things I want our family to do and to change and to.......

Wednesday October 10

I have decided to start a blog. Our life isn't too exciting but it might just be to someone. Tonight we had the big kids. They were in pretty good moods. Both were asking to take clothes to their moms as the often do. I will never understand how their mother can not buy them clothes. But its been the same for so many years you would think I would be use to it by now! At least that is what Steve tells me all the time! Ashley took home 3 shirts and a sweatshirt and Riley just took home one. I told him he could take home the other one he had picked out - but he said he was good. So, I guess all is well. I feel bad when I give the initial reaction to their asking this all the time. But most of the time I feel drained - drained because their mom gets our support money, drained because we have to buy clothes for here and then drained because we buy stuff for them to take to their mom's house. Oh well! Piper is really getting funny. Her word this week is DUH! Of all words - well at least it isn't a curse word! She was funny tonight too because she was having a snack - we were sitting on the kitchen floor - and she kept kissing me then laughing. Oh and her kisses...... are full open mouth...... I was trying to teach her tonight to close her mouth but to no avail...... Steve is really tired tonight. He has been really busy at work this week and my eyes hurt from looking at my computer all day! So we are an old married pair I tell you! My stomach has been hurting quite a bit this week. I can't wait till October 25th! Have the surgery and feel better - and get a couple of days off work! Signing off for now. I have to go walk the dogs and I am ready to do my relaxing before its time to retire to the bed.