Time goes by..... I could swear it wasn't Monday when I last blogged. Well, I was going to blog last night but wanted to do it from the sofa and Steve stole the laptop so I was shit out of luck. I could've went to the desktop computer but then I would've had to move off the sofa... so, that didn't happen!

Just a good week at work. I got quite a bit of stuff done and kept busy. Everything at home seemed to run smooth. Night much happened at all this week. The big kids were doing good the other night when they were here and Piper is doing good. I think she is starting to say more words. Lots of things she is saying now are actually sounding like something and then again lots are still sounding like yabba dabba doo!

Tomorrow they are bringing the new stove. I can't wait.

We ate supper at home tonight. Usually we go out on Friday nights for sure. But nothing sounded good and we are suppose to take Steve's friend out for a steak tomorrow night for their birthdays. So, actually what I am hungry for is a steak so we will just save eating supper out for tomorrow night! I think we are going to Texas Roadhouse which is one great place to eat!

We don't really have a lot to do this weekend. Just the normal shopping of groceries, and our Target run. I suppose that will be nice to kinda have a chill weekend. I hope we get to watch some movies. We haven't really watched any for along time and I would like see some. But the problem is there really aren't many out there to choose from. Everytime we go to the movie store we can't find shit to watch. There isn't crap on regular tv on a Friday night.

The roads were crazy slick this morning. We saw 2 people in the ditch and one truck pointing the wrong way on the highway after hitting the guard rail. You could feel the car slipping on the road while we were driving. Steve and I happened to ride to work together today so good for me I didn't have to drive but we should've taken the truck instead of the car!

I did something yesterday I have been meaning to do for myself for awhile now. I went an opened a savings account and I am having money transferred in there every paycheck. I have been doing this for Piper since I went back to work after I had her and darn if she doesn't have some money in that account now. So, I took my portion of the tax refund and opened me a savings account. Now, I just have to keep my grubby paws off the money! And someday I might catch up to Piper! I really need to do my research and get her money put in a 529 plan.

Monday, Monday so good to me.... Monday, Monday it was all hoped it would be.... It was a nice day. Steve stayed home from work too. We took Piper to the dr. for her 18 month check up. She is doing great! She weighs 25 lbs. and is 32 2/3 inches long. The dr. said not to worry too much about her talking yet. But by 2 she should be talking more.. she talks you just can't understand shit! At 2 they do testing for Autism. I told him that is what I am afraid of. He said based on the stuff I am telling him about her know - he doesn't think I have anything to worry about. But they test all 2 year olds for Autism.

Then on the way back from the dr. we went to HH Gregg and bought a new stove.. GREAT! I am excited. I have the one from the previous owners. We have replaced all the appliances except the stove it was the last one. I think that maybe all the kitchen appliances were the orginials from when the house was built. But hey that is great that they lasted that long. I can just about guarantee the new ones won't last that long!! It will be nice to have a new one - it's electric with the glass flat cook top. That will be awesome! You should see how the drip pans on the one I have now look..... ummmm..... really disgusting. Then when we got home Steve took down our range hood (which was from 1976 too!) and we went and got a new one and put it up already! And then Steve said this summer I can get a new faucet! Funny how the smallest things make me happy! I am going to try for a new sink too. But I would like new counter top and I don't think that is in the budget this year. So maybe just the faucet.

I did laundry from the big kids weekend and just messed around the house. We flipped our mattress too. I have been having the worse back aches from the mattress I think. So we are trying the flipping of the mattress and see if that helps.

We didn't make it to Chuck E Cheese this weekend. Nate cancelled. That was ok with Steve and I. We still took the kids out for lunch and to the mall. That was probably just as much fun for them and Piper could care less. She was alittle fussy yesterday. I think her teeth are still bothering her. I bet she has at least 3 coming in right now.

The kids and I went out to the airport to surprise Steve on Saturday. The big kids were so excited to surprise their dad. During the day we went to Target and just messed around and then at 2:30ish went to the airport. Piper was funny - she acted like she didn't remember who he was. But it didn't take her long. I think part of the problem was she was just interested in walking the airport. I bet I walked a mile total just following her while we were waiting for his flight to come in. Ashley made her dad a card - Welcome Back card. It was cute. She put a picture of her and Piper in the card.

Steve was happy to be home. And we are all happy to have him home. I told him I wasn't ready for him to be traveling anytime soon. He said he doesn't have plands too. I think his tattoo is going to work out fine. He was alittle confused about it for a couple of days but it's looking good but just not finished. I am really anxious about the finished product. There are some parts I just can't wait to see them finished. I hope this is the last one for awhile. I know its hurting him. And man tonight him and Piper were playing and she was beating the shit of him on the tattoo. She realized tonight that dad has some pretty colors on his arm and she was rubbing his arm and smacking at it. He said he could take it but every time she touched it he flinched.

It's snowing really good right now and Jon and Kate are on! See ya!

The end of the week and one day till Steve comes home. He hasn't had a really good trip so he is ready to come home and we ARE ready for him to come home!!!

I made a deal with Riley earlier in the week that if he got an A+ on his spelling test this week he could watch TV on Friday... I guess I should tell the beginning of the story too. The rule at our house is he has to bring his spelling list each time he comes here for visitation or he loses a night of TV. Well, one time last week he didn't bring his spelling list which was going to take away TV for today. So, I made the deal with him about getting an A+ and getting his TV back. Well, Ashley texted me earlier in the week that he wasn't studying so I was expecting him not to get the A+. But color me wrong.... he got in the truck tonight and was proudly displaying an A+! Good Job Riley!!! So, I bet you can't guess what he is doing right now!!!

The kids and I went to McDonalds tonight. For some crazy reason it sounded good. It never seems to taste good coming back up all night but it did taste good going down! Then after supper I wanted to come home but the kids didn't seem to be real interested in that. So I needed to go to Big Lots for some new dog bowls. And Piper seemed up for a little trip so we went to Big Lots. All the kids listened very well and all got a few treats! The big kids were funny - they wanted pencils and pens. So, how can you pass up pencils and pens as their treat! I got Piper an Easter basket. It is cute and I am excited about Easter this year. Big Lots had some cool Easter decorations. I think I need some mom time to go just check out the stuff.

We are suppose to go to Chuck E Cheese on Sunday with Nate and Lillie. I hate Chuck E Cheese pizza. It sucks so bad! I was thinking about send Steve with all the kids and taking some mom time but I really want to see Piper at Chuck E Cheese. She liked it at Christmas time - I bet she will really like this time. I kinda hate to miss it. But man after the last couple of months I have had and the last week - it would be nice to just sit and read! And plus I could avoid shitty Chuck E Cheese pizza!!!

I was able to walk the dogs tonight. But not too far. But at least they got a bit of a walk in.

Ashley shoveled the driveway off tonight and I did the sidewalk. Then right after I got in from doing the sidewalk it started snowing again! Great.

One of my friends at work said to me today that it was nice to see me more relaxed and more like myself! I told him thank you!

AAAHHHHHHH! Work will now settle down which will help with my stress level.....my prayers have been answered. Here I sit all alone on the sofa(well, don't tell Steve - I have Gunnar up here beside me) I talked to my husband awhile back and sounds like he has had the day from hell. Their plane was alittle late leaving Ft. Wayne and then they had no lay over in Dallas - they had 6 minutes to get to their plane. So they weren't able to eat anything - ok they will eat on the plane.... they ran out of sandwiches the row in front of him. (shit!) Then after they land in LA - the rental car company has some crap to throw at them too.... they don't have the car they rented - so they try to give them a mini-van! (SWEET!) Then finally they get it worked out - roll in the Altima and go chow down. I got a call as they got to the tattoo guy's place. I think Steve was just calling to reassure me that everything was going to be fine with the tattoo guy! Last time I talked to him - they just finished HAND DRAWING the tattoo on his arm. Sounds like from there he has at least 4 hours to sit for the tattoo and sounded like it won't get finished and we are going to Columbus or Detroit!! WOW! Steve and Wayne are going to be really tired. They were up really early this morning and by time they get done there and get to their hotel it's going to be really late Indiana time!

I am watching American Idol which I am sure all of you are too. I am not sure about the contestants this year. Really to me - none of them just scream "I am good - I can sing" and I remember at least quite a few last year that I thought were really good right off the bat. This ought to be an interesting year. I can't believe how young several of them are this year.

I hate this time of year and being stuck in the house. I would be nice to just go outside after supper and play or go for a walk. It gets harder and harder each night to keep a 18 month old entertained till 7:30ish. We play and play like crazy and make sure we watch Noddy at 7:00 (but darn if he only last like 8 minutes!!)and read but it still seems to take forever to get to 7:30.

I love Ashley having that cell phone - she just called me - it's 9:10 I reminded her! But she called to tell me to look at the lunar eclipse. COOL! I forgot that was going to happen. I told her thanks for calling and reminding me. And our sky is really clear for viewing tonight. Ashley was excited and said she has never seen one of those before. It's funny too because when we gave Ashley the phone we told her how many minutes and text messages she had for each month and man does she keep track of those text messages... she told me when she called that she couldn't text me because she is getting close on her text number.... You know when she wanted a cell phone we thought what in the hell does a 12 year old need a cell phone for??? Well, we held on for awhile and she made the honor roll and she LOVES that phone and she takes care of it like its gold and follows the rules with it. Now, she just has to keep on the honor roll!!

I feel sorry for our dogs the rest of this week. They are used to being walked every night and with Steve gone and having a little one asleep - there is no walk for them. Which isn't all that bad of an idea this time of year. I took them on the walk last night so Steve could put Piper down for bed and I fell on the ice. I was watching what I was doing but they pull alittle and down I went! And of course I let go of Sandy's leash so he was walking himself for awhile till he stopped to pee on a tree! Then I caught up with him. They seem to be taking it ok tonight. Maybe they don't want to go out in the cold either.....

It's Monday! The start of a very busy week that I am ready for it to be over with already. I asked a guy in the parking lot at 7:15 this morning if it was Friday yet!! Oh well it will be here before I know it. I woke up to an anxiety attack this morning. I had a bad dream right before my alarm went off. This guy was chasing me thru the projects where Steve's aunts were living and I had to run back to their place. And I couldn't get home to get my kids. So, I woke up alittle shaken and kinda didn't want to go downstairs by myself. I think I am going to miss Steve more than I realized.

Jon and Kate are on...... I have been trying to get back in to my reading now that I am getting some of my free time back. I was able to finish 2 half started books. Well, one I had pulled my bookmark out of and was going to give up but it was just killing me to see if the couple got together or not. The other one was Debbie Macomber - Dakota Home. BOY was it a good book. I really recommend you checking her out if you don't know much about her. Its the lovey dovey books but still really good reading. http://www.debbiemacomber.com/ and the other book the one that I had taken my bookmark out of was a good one too. Right now I have started a James Patterson Beach Road. Boy - its a far cry different than the lovey dovey book but it's a good one so far. Check it out too if you haven't read it. And then of course there is Piper's favorite book every night before she goes to bed.....http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-You-Stinky-Face/dp/0439634695/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203387436&sr=1-1 I bet you can't guess who bought her that book!

I love Jon and Kate plus 8. I know you all already know that because my husband complains weekly about having to watch it..... but you know what is funny I am sitting here watching it and bloggin and here he sits watching the show right along with me - as a matter of fact..... he turned to the channel. I am sure he did it for me.

I got my fuzzzy socks on tonight that my lunch buddy got me for valentine's day. Thanks Gwen!

YES I AM ALIVE!! It has been a super busy time for me - at work and at home. I think things are going to cool down alittle (hopefully) Not much exciting happened lately. Same ol' crap - different days. Valentine's day came and went. Steve got me Michael Buble` tickets for his show in April and it's on a Friday night - so we have Grammy and Grandpa lined up already and we are staying in Indy for the night. I am so looking forward to this I can't tell you how much. It will be the first time I have left Piper over night - she will be 20 months old by then. I hope it won't be as hard as I am expecting. But I so need a vacation. And Grammy already has informed us we don't have to be in a hurry to get home the next day - yeah right.... like I won't be!


Piper is yacking alittle more each day. I had a melt down a couple of weeks ago about her not "talking" I was reading in one of my mommy books that had a Developmental Health Watch - that by 18 months they should be saying at least 15 words. OK - well we don't say 15 words - and to me "words" are words everyone can understand. Then back in the chapter that this "health watch" is listed in it says that maybe only you as the parents will be able to understand their words - DUH! Then if that is the case - my child says 450 words!!!! Everybody has told me not to worry about it. So, I moved on to something else to worry about. I really have just been spending the last weeks worrying about everything. One weekend I about lost it all. I was stressed be on belief. I was fretting everything at work and EVERYTHING at home. I was wondering if I admitted myself to the looney bin - how long would they keep me because that would just put me even further behind in all my shit!

Well, with that emotional breakdown..... I have decided to try to do a better job at keeping things up more. I wasn't that bad before but just need to make sure I don't let it get behind. So, now I put each load of laundry away after its done, I clean up shit all the time. But with this as you all have noticed I don't have alot of time for other stuff. So, I will now have to add keeping up to date my blog to my long list of shit.......

Ashley and Riley didn't have school on Friday and they don't have it tomorrow but how stupid they have to make up school days now added on to the end of school. DUH! I would much rather go to school during the crappy months and get out on time once summer hits. Sometimes with these schools you have to wonder what the hell they are thinking. Ashley is messin up on her homework again. Screwing around and getting bad, bad grades on it. Then she digs herself in such a hole that she has to work her butt off to get the honor roll. DUH to her too! I keep telling her to quit messing around because she needs to keep that phone. I told her I tried "my powers" already in the event she would lose it and I was shot down!! Riley is becoming very stubborn with this school work. His teacher has been reporting that he is becoming very lazy and he really needs to practice his times tables. So we have been making sure while he is here that he practices them all the time. Which is leading to many discussions with him - well, he thinks he is discussing something..... but we aren't really giving him an option...... And his spelling grade is not good. That is a no brainer to me..... I don't get that - all it takes is practice (plus I want him to spell better than his dad when he is an adult) So, the rule is he has to bring his spelling list everytime he comes here or he loses TV for one night on our weekend. Well, he got an oops card once already and he has forgot them once and then last week he forgot them again.... but he informed me "I KNOW THEM ALREADY" as I told him - I don't know you know them!! Sucks to be Riley - no TV on this coming Friday!

Steve leaves for LA on Wednesday morning. I am not looking forward to that. No breaks for mom - not even to go to the bathroom alone. Also, I don't like sleeping alone. I now know I have been married to long - because I can't sleep when he isn't in the bed with me. When I got divorced I was like that for awhile but then after 5 years of sleeping alone(most of the time) I got use to it. Well, not anymore. I got to have my man beside me now. Especially since we got to bed together every night. It just sucks when he is gone.

I am excited about his tattoo. I can't wait to see it. Plus hopefully he is going to get some special marking for the 4 of us. It's not my name - I really wouldn't want him to do that but some special marks done in colors we have chosen. That will be kinda cool. I am not real happy that I won't be able to see it for 4 days..... just another reason it sucks that he is going to be gone.

Only good thing about Piper and I being on our own..... we can eat whatever we want for supper!

I have to write about something that was exciting for me - yet sad at the same time.... at Piper's 15 month check up that dr. said I should take her nighttime bottle away from her now. Well, that was almost 3 months ago. I was going to do it over Christmas during my time off. Well, I didn't - I enjoy giving it to her at night and rocking her. So, I will do it - I will. She only took a nighttime bottle. So, over these last months we have been decreasing her ounces she was taking. A couple of weeks ago I thought - what the hell - I am going to give her the milk in a sippy cup and we will work down from there. She drank so that night from the sippy cup - the next night she took even less and by 3 days in - she was down to drinking nothing and I was reading her a story and she would go to bed after that and we don't hear a word from her till morning.... So, mom was dreading doing this because it was going to be hard (I guess hard for mom!) and she was a champ. Now, I am really enjoying reading her a bed time story and then I rock her a short time and lay her down. It's working out great. Now it won't be long to try her potty on the pot!