So nobody specifically tagged me, but a few of my blogging friends posted a tag on their site and took part it in anyway. I was supposed to go to the 6th folder in my picture album and pick out the 6th photo..
and post it and explain it. I was curious as to what photo it would be and this was it. I like this picture of our little man, so I thought I'd take part.

This was at a neighboring towns' annual "fest". We were in the parade for our church, and Tim had offered to drive his truck in the parade while several of us handed out candy. Gage was pretty excited to be in the parade, but it was a very hot day, and the parade started at the same time Gage's naptime usually starts.

Here is Gage waiting in the truck in the parade line up. The minute the truck started moving, he fell asleep on Tim's lap and missed being in the parade. After the parade, he woke up and ran around for awhile....
and if I remember correctly, he threw up that day too. (He stuck a dead dandelion in his mouth before we could stop him and he gagged himself and yacked).

Oh. The memories.

If you need a good laugh..

...check out this site:
God Awful Nativity Scenes

On the right side of my blogsite, I have "The List of the Day" as a site I frequently visit. No matter what kind of a day I am having, I always leave this site with a smile, and many times running to the bathroom to avoid peeing in my pants.

The pictures of these Nativity scenes aren't all funny; it's the sarcastic comments that follow them that make me want to laugh out loud.

Enjoy. And I suggest adding this site to your link list.

Meeting Miss Daisy

Well, folks. I caved. My kitty-lovin' heart has been aching since October, and I told myself I was waiting for the perfect opportunity, and that opportunity arrived on Monday.

Ever since having to put down my dearest Teague, over a year ago in November 2007, I swore up and down I would never get another cat. Too much work, too much hair, too much sorrow when it's time to say goodbye.
However, when you are a cat lover, you are forever a cat lover. I do hate the hair. It sticks to everything; but you just vacuum more. And you buy lint rollers. I dislike the extra work trying to litter-box train, and watching the door to make sure the cat doesn't run out every time someone is coming in or going out.

But I've missed the cuddles. The purrs. The playful swats at the ribbon when I'm trying to wrap Christmas presents. The pouncing on the bed sheets when I'm trying to make the bed.
When I've had a cat in my life, I never watch TV alone. I never work at the computer alone, either. Someone is always curled up in my lap, or behind me if I move forward enough to give 'em some room.

So we got a new kitty. Her name is Daisy. She showed up on someone's doorstep and this particular person happens to be allergic to cats and not a cat lover. But she started to steal the heart of this person, who didn't want to rush her right into the Humane Society. So, she sent out an email, giving everyone a heads' up that if they were looking for a cat, she had one.

I didn't even think about it. I responded to the email with these words:
"Oh, crap. I'll take her".

That was it. I never even saw her. I pulled into the grocery store on my way over, bought a box of food and a container of cat litter and drove right to the house where she had taken refuge. I picked her up, and just like the very first time I picked up my Teague, she nestled into my chest and began to purr. Some cats try to get away. Some cats don't like to be held. But this one, just like with my Teague, told me "Take me home to your house".

And we did.

She is sweet. She is training well, and loves to be held, but also doesn't need to be right on top of you at all times. She purrs a lot, has been eating well, and is putting up with Gage's tormenting behavior (I'm keeping an eye on it, trust me) quite well. She's a great addition to our family. We love her.


Welcome home, Daisy.

Dead Tired

Whew! What a week. It was a nice one, however; I was able to relax a TON, and didn't do one jewelry show for 7 days straight. Pretty impressive, as compared to the past couple of months.

Gage and I returned home yesterday and are here for a whopping 2 more days before heading back to my hometown. Tim is in ND hunting for the week, and I have a couple of parties this week out of town. So in 2.5 days, I have to get my tree up, decorate my house, clean, pack and drive back out of here! But the good news is that on Friday afternoon I am heading out to my friend Gina's house and spending all day Saturday and Saturday night with her and friends shopping til we drop in the Appleton area. I have a few readers that live over this way...
send me your cell if you're going to be around and maybe we could meet up? I have no idea where we are going...
I was just invited and am going along for the ride! I have all my Christmas shopping done, minus one thing for Tim, and one thing for my nephew Hunter but I know what it is I'm looking for, it's just a matter of going and picking it up. I don't do Christmas cards anymore, I have chosen to start doing New Year's Cards instead, so I will not worry about that until the day after Christmas!

I didn't get any holiday baking done...I'm thinking that I will make a batch or two of something next week one day with Gage's help. I have been invited to join a cookie exchange, so maybe that will help me get my butt in gear.

Other than that, these next two shows for me are the last of my December ones....then off until January 10th!!! I am really happy about this as I love doing them, but could use a weekend/evening break. I am going to try and relax and enjoy the holidays this year. I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving...and took more pictures of your family than I did. (I didn't take any!)

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged!



I am: tired and hungry but it's too late to eat.

I know: that I'm looking forward to this entire week.

I want: more kids

I have: Christmas shopping on my mind.

I dislike: drama

I miss: my grandma (14 years on 12/10)

I feel: alright

I hear: nothing

I smell: the space heater

I crave: chinese food right now

I cry: monthly

I search: for my keys once a week

I wonder: what my professional job is going to end up being

I regret: constantly worrying about things I have absolutely no control over

I love: my husband, kids, family & friends--more than my own life

I worry: always

I remember: a lot of great childhood memories with my cousins

I dance: all.the.time.

I don't: like it when I yell

I argue: the least amount possible

I write: on my blog weekly, and in Gage's scrapbook journal nightly

I win: every now and then...

I lose: sleep more nights that I care to

I wish: for all the people I currently know that are ill to get well soon

I listen: all the time. Even if I'm talking, I still here ya

I can usually be found: in my van

I am scared: of losing people I love.

I need: a good massage, a few days to myself

I forget: why I am not in bed already.



I tag Sarah, Jenni, and Mary

Random

I want to say that we lead a fairly boring life, however in our world, it's never boring. But when it comes to posting about things, it would sound boring to the average reader.
Therefore, I'll give a little update on each of the three of us...as I haven't done that in awhile.

Gage: Busier than ever, talking up a storm, and getting very sassy and rather challenging at times. We'll start with the negative and work our way up: Gage is speaking so well now. The other day when I had scolded (and startled) him for something (like sticking his finger in an outlet...all the way, still can't believe he didn't get a shock or worse!) he cried hard for a good 3 minutes. When he was all done, he looked at me and said, "You hurt my feelings" plain as day. Talk about making a mama's heart melt right there on the spot! Aw. "I'm sorry," I said, and even after explaining "why" I had yelled, I still felt kinda lousy!
He likes to try and join in on our conversations, too, so he'll start jabbering and it will come out kinda of like this: "Mama, me, daddy, go to the Y, (mumble mumble mumble) me go to, kid room, pay (for play) kid room, at the Y, mama exercising, b-ball, mama pay b ball at the Y". Seriously. He will go on and on and on, and I can't help but smile, knowing full well that I've created this non-stop-talking monster! I love it! It's great.

Now, onto the naughties. He tests us each and every time he can. He will look right at you after you've said, "Please don't throw that again" (or whatever it is he's not supposed to do) and do it anyway. He has to sit in a time out on his bed now rather than in the same room as us. Seems to be working quite well. He also is into saying "potty" words. "Mama poopie, Daddy poopie"...
he is not allowed and gets a tap on the mouth and a time out when he does it after being told not to. Sometimes, after saying "Mama poopie" and after I've given him the "look" (pointed chin, flared nostrils, pursed lips a.k.a "Barb look" he will say, "Mama go poopie on the potty", just to kind of cover up that he was saying "potty" words when not talking about potty! HA. Again. Stinker.

Tim: Gearing up and getting ready for the upcoming deer hunting season and his annual trip to North Dakota. He works out like a crazy man...3-4 times a week at minimum, lifting weights, drinking protein and other soup-like shakes that he says make him big and strong. Well, they are working. He doesn't like me to brag, but Tim's down nearly 75 lbs. since January--all on his own! Exercise and eating better! It's awesome and I'm so proud of him. He looks great, is always in a good mood, and really seems genuinely happy with his lifestyle changes. He still enjoys his work, but work is work, and with the economy struggling, so do the sales! But I think all is secure for now, and we'll just keep praying it remains that way.

Jill: Busy as ever with the jewelry biz, playdates, YMCA classes, time with friends, and time with family. Each week consists of a little routine and something new and different to throw into the mix. If I do an out of town show, I travel back to one of my parents' homes during the week, and we work around that schedule. I'm blessed to have the flexibility in my life right now. Never quite sure how long it's going to last (the busy business, OR the flexibility) so I'm taking it for all it's worth right now! I have a lot of fun stuff coming up in the next couple of months. A couple of girls-only shopping days, and a scrapbook weekend in January. I'm almost all done with my Christmas shopping this year, which feels GREAT! I am not doing any major baking, but Gage and I will make a few batches the few weeks before Christmas to give to some friends and neighbors as a holiday gift. We are sticking around home this Christmas holiday, so that will be nice, too.

I think that is about it. Sorry I don't update on here more often. It's just the last thing on my list to do...and I just don't get around to it. Someday I'll have more time. Like when I'm working FULL time. HA HA HA

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. This season let's all be thankful for everyone of our blessings--our families, our spouses, our children, our pets, our jobs, cars, the food we eat, and the list goes on and on. I've heard of too many "sad" things this year that always bring things back into perspective for me.

Take care!

It's My Own Fault!

I have no right to complain when my life is as busy as it has been these past two weeks. I bring it all on myself...
Here is a brief update, as I have to get in the shower (for the first time today) before Gage wakes up from his nap:

• We spent last weekend in my hometown as I did 3 shows between Saturday and Monday. Totally worth the trip--good money and fun times!
• We went out on Saturday night with 3 other couples for dinner and drinks afterward. Lori, Kimmy, Katie, and I all went to high school together and our husbands find enough to talk about when we do this every one or two years! It was fun. (And the guys really do get along...but they all have different lives and we don't all have kids, so sometimes I worry if the guys just do it to please us?? Either way, it was all good).
• We had visitors overnight on Tuesday and spent the day at the Mall of America with them on Wednesday. Long and fun day.
• I have been working on the newsletter for my mom's group which keeps me very, very busy...
• We are headed to Hutchinson, MN for a benefit for a friends' little girl who was diagnosed with leukemia this past August. It's a drive, but we are carpooling w/ Tim's cousin Aaron, wife Gina and their kids Laila and Jake, so it should be a fun time.
• I have a long show tomorrow, but hoping it's as good as last weekend.
• I get to see my Beezatch's (minus Jaci) on Sunday, so a fabulous way to end the weekend.

That is it. Busy, busy, crazy busy.

It's a BIRD! It's a PLANE! It's......

SUPERMAN!!!!!!!!!!

Finished Product

Here are the 3 creations by the Fox fam.

(Left to Right: Mr. Whifflebrow, LMAO, and Cheeky)

Gage refused to help scoop out the pumpkin guts, so I got 2 and Tim got one.
Gage is not allowed to use a knife (really??) so after Tim carved the basic triangle-face and pe-nis looking nose, he gave Gage permanent markers, which was the highlight of the evening.

Mommy then named him Mr. Whifflebrow. Mr. Unibrow sounded better, but this pumpkin plucks.

After scooping out the remnants of #2, the pumpkin wouldn't sit upright, and kept rolling back. I then thought I'd give him a laughing face, as if he is throwing his head back in laughter, thus naming him the online version of "Laughing My A$$ Off-LMAO--(not everyone that reads my blog will know text abbreviations).

Then, the name pretty much sums up the look of #3.

Wow. I really get into this.

Pumpkin Carving

Two Steps Forward...

...one step back.

My kid wants to revert back to being a baby.

When I went to look up old pictures, I realized that both sets of these pictures were taken almost 2 years apart. The "baby" pictures were taken in November 2006, when Gage was 4 months old. The "now" pictures were taken within one week of each other...at age TWO years, 4 months.





Story behind the above picture:
Yvonne and kids were over and Gabby is successfully potty trained. Gage doesn't want much to do with it until he sees another child going on the potty. Well, we were all in the bathroom doing the group thing because Gabby had to go potty, and Gage wanted to "try". After two grunts and a toot, he took off running, pantless, down the hall.

This is what I found. Gage in the bouncy seat (that I had brought up for baby Sophie to use during lunch) with Sophie's pacifier in his mouth. Both legs up, just like he used to do as a baby.

Hilarious. And definitely blackmail material to use at age 16.

A Sad Story

There is a man in Northern New Jersey that is dying of cancer.
Right now.

This man has worked hard his entire life; he doesn't have a degree, but has been working ever since he was a young adult. He has kept a job, paid taxes, and contributed to the economy like each and every one of us. A hard worker, never asking for handouts.

A little while ago, he got a new job at Walmart, but he had only been there a little while when he found out he was very, very sick. His insurance hadn't kicked in yet, so when he went to the doctor and was told that his lung cancer had spread into other parts of his body, including his shoulder, they told him there was nothing they could do for him. He didn't have insurance, so he wasn't able to pay for any treatment. In fact, the very Doctor that diagnosed him refused to see him again, because he couldn't pay.

He applied for and received some benefits, and has been able to participate in chemotherapy. He has been able to come up with some money to pay for his medications.
His loving family organized a benefit for him, to assist with these bills.

He has a wife, and a home, and people who love him very much. But, because he is not insured, he was turned away again today because there was nothing the hospital could do for him.

I know there is more to this story than even I know. And I apologize to his family if I have incorrect information in this post. But my heart absolutely breaks for this man, and his wife, to know that because he doesn't have silver-lined pockets he isn't quite worthy of the same medical attention that I would receive tomorrow, if needed.

You see, I have health insurance right now. And the funny thing is, I'm not even employed full-time! I am "lucky" enough to be married to someone who is, and who has damn good benefits. I am "lucky" enough to live in a part of the country where the healthcare system is excellent--some of the best in the world. (i.e. Mayo) I am "lucky" enough to have a savings account that could help pay for my medical bills right now, for awhile, if I needed them.

Am I more worthy than the man in New Jersey?

Flop

Okay. Because I REALLY don't want any of my friends and readers to be overly impressed with my newfound "Martha Stewart meets Rachel Ray" attitude, I have to share my most recent story.

After my successful Sunday baking Halloween cookies and homemade applesauce, I decided that since the Kitchenaide mixer was out on the counter anyway, I'd go ahead and try another new recipe that looked good, to take to a potluck I had today. The recipe was "Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip".

Would you believe that I flopped them both??

I have no idea what I did wrong with the cookie dough. It said to mix it all up (and I followed step-by-step) and then put in the fridge to chill overnight. So I did. I guess I thought it was a little bit runny (maybe needed more flour??) when I was done, but I thought the "chilling" would take care of that and firm it on up! NOPE! When I went to pull it out today to "roll into 1 inch balls", it was like playing with pudding. So I just plopped spoonfuls of it down on the pan instead. Even after baking it for 5 minutes longer than suggested (6 minutes), they were still a soupy mess on the pan and all mushy inside.

Then, the pumpkin dip called for 2 Cups Confectioner's Sugar. Now I know that this fancy name is what I refer to as plain out "powdered sugar", but I was moving along too fast and ended up dumping 2 cups of granulated sugar into the bowl before I caught my mistake. I "tried" to remove most of the granulated stuff, but a lot soaked into my dip before I could remove it. I then added about 1.5 cups of powdered sugar...but to no avail. It was DISGUSTING.

So the whole thing went down the drain or into the garbage.

I contributed my usual to the potluck: Triscuits and cheese dip. Straight from Walmart.

(Beezatches: You really have to be careful how much you compliment me.
1. Garlic Bread
2. Bars soaked in cooler water
3. The above story.)

Baking Sunday

I was inspired by my friend Leah and decided to bake some Halloween cookies with Gage. He had a blast, but enjoyed licking the spoon and eating the finished product the most. I also decided that I needed to make applesauce in the crockpot, since we bought so many apples at the orchard AND I have a potluck on Tuesday so I made up the dough for Spice cookies and will be serving those with a cream-cheese pumpkin dip. SHEESH. (Don't) call me Rachel Ray!

Gage was a really good helper. The one thing about having your kids help out in the kitchen---you CANNOT stress out about the mess, or nobody will have any fun. This is something that only having a 2-year-old has helped me to learn. It all cleaned up just fine, and we all had a great time!

He's wearing Mr. Potato Head glasses. Your guess is as good as mine!

Fall Fun

What a FABULOUS weekend! It truly couldn't have been better. As Tim was gone all of last week for business in New Orleans, I was "itchin'" for some family time, and so was Gage. And, we had company all weekend long!
On Friday night, my dad came up for an overnight visit. We just hung out at our house Friday night and relaxed, not doing anything special.
On Saturday, Dad and I went to "da Fleet Farm, yah" to be those crazy people who think they have to be there on the day that the toy center opens. I have never been one to try to get there on opening day...but can I just tell you that my Christmas shopping is over half done, and Gage is completely finished! It's a great feeling--one that I've always wanted, but have never had!

We then headed to Stillwater to Aamodt's Apple Farm. There, we took a wagon ride, drank apple cider, ate apple donuts, played on the toy tractors, climbed on hay bales, rode ponies, went in a hay bale maze, bought a bunch of apples...

and then Tim and I went into the winery and taste-tested some featured wines. 4 purchased bottles later, we headed home so that my dad could get on the road.

Then my mom and Ken came up for Saturday evening, AND my sister picked up a Minneapolis trip and I went and got her in time for dinner. We had a fabulous "fall" dinner....pork roasted in cider, with potatoes and apples. YUM! Ken and I polished off 2 bottles of our new wine...
and then we went to sleep!

On Sunday, we spent the day baking in the kitchen, but that is the next post....

Bumpa Tom, Daddy, and Gage on the hay wagon.

I love this serious face!

On Thursday, I went to Farmington to spend the afternoon and evening with Yvonne and family. She had invited me over for dinner as she knew Tim was out of town. Before going to her place, we met at a petting zoo/pumpkin patch set up alongside the road that has perfect "picture spots".

(I did say "perfect picture spots", but I DIDN'T say that I was a perfect photographer! Truck AND person in the background. Sheesh! Good thing I don't claim to be good at it!)

The ever-so-famous "Cheeeeeeeeeeese" face.

Gage and Gabby

Playhouse Disney Live

It's fun to have connections! I don't consider myself one to get many opportunities "out of the ordinary", so when a friend of mine said, "Hey, we have access to free suite tickets at the Excel...would you like to go to Playhouse Disney Live with us?", I jumped all over it.






Gage loved the show. All of the kids did. There were 5 families in all, yet only 2 husbands "had" to come (smile). Tim was one that lucked out, however I think he was really disappointed to not be able to go. He loves watching Gage's excitement at events such as this.

If you've never been in a suite at a venue such as the Excel before, it makes you want to never have to go back to a "regular" seat! You have a nice sized room with high top tables, fully stocked refrigerator of beer, pop, water, and other bottled drinks, and you can have food and snacks "catered" to your room! We ordered a bucket of popcorn and left it at that!

There is also stadium seating in the front of the suite, which seats 16-20 people. The kids could sit down, stand up, run around, yell, play....all during the show and there wasn't a worry that they were bothering anyone. It was GREAT!

Update

Yet another update that is really quite boring!
Tim has been gone this week for work, and I've been doing the single parent thing since Friday. I had some help over the weekend, as I was in my hometown for a jewelry show and my mom and Ken helped out for an evening and part of a day. But other than that, Gage and I have been bopping around between our weekly visits to the Y, library, and a friends house or two. Pretty uneventful!

This weekend my dad is coming up on Friday night and staying through Saturday for a visit. Tim should be home Friday afternoon as well. We plan to go to the Apple Orchard/Pumpkin patch in Stillwater for a few hours on Saturday, and I hope to get some fun fall pictures taken to post on the site as well as to hang in my house! I've been a poor photographer lately.

My mom and Ken will then be coming up on Saturday night and into Sunday for a visit. It's been awhile since either of my parents were here to visit, so we like to try to get visits in every couple of months or so.

Gage has been busier than ever being a normal 2-year-old. He does the exact opposite of what I tell him, says "Noooooo!" to everything, and comes up with some of the funniest things that crack me up! The other day he responded to me with, "Yes, Mama". It just blew me away the way he said it; so matter-of-fact. He's a hoot, and is talking up a storm.

He is going to be Superman for Halloween. The costume should be here by the end of the week or early next week. Those should be some cute pictures!

Everybody Needs a Jenny

Several years ago, while working at the company where I met one of my dearest friends, Jenny, I made the comment that "I could never run more than a mile". Jenny refused to let me say this, and she began to encourage me to start running with her. We started out going for very short runs; maybe 1 mile or close to 2 without stopping. Jenny has a tendency to map out runs before I run them with her...then tell me, "I'll tell you how far you went when we are all done". Each and every time she has surprised me.

When I lived in Minnesota, she and I would meet two times a week, and sometimes on the weekends, to run different routes. They were usually 1.5 miles one way, and then 1.5 miles back with a short walk in between. This was "just enough" for me. Jenny is just what I need when I'm running. If I say anything negative when I am running, such as "I am going to need to stop and walk", or "I really don't think I can finish" (and I do tend to say things like this a lot, but I'm getting better, she even said so!), Jenny will simply say, "Yes you can (finish)", "You are not going to walk, you are going to keep going", "You can finish, you are doing great."

Then we decided that we were going to sign up for a 5k. So, in October 2005, just weeks before finding out I was pregnant with Gage, we each ran our first 5k race. My goal was to make it under 30 minutes without stopping. I didn't stop once, but I don't think I made it in under 35 minutes...which was just fine! It was quite the accomplishment! We then did a 10k together in April 2007, in which I did not stop one time either, so I was definitely proving to myself that indeed, "I could run".

Even since I have moved, and Jenny has gotten married and changed jobs, we still try to meet once every few months to run together. Today was one of those days. Today was actually supposed to be our 3rd 5k run together, as it's the Twin Cities marathon weekend, but I really have had a difficult time getting back into running since being pregnant this summer. Therefore, I basically told Jenny that I was chickening out of the race, as I didn't want to disappoint myself and have to stop, or come in a lot later than my past times. These are ridiculous excuses, I understand that, however I just didn't feel like paying the money for the race and having to be there at a certain time, etc. BUT...
I still wanted to run, and so Jenny and I decided to meet at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis for a run around the lake.

The day started like all of our past runs; Jenny told me that she would tell me how far we had run AFTER we were done. About halfway around the lake, Jenny tells me that we are running around the lake TWICE.

What?!?!?!?!?!

I can see the building from where we started, and it wasn't even halfway around the lake yet!!! I cannot run around this damn lake nearly 1.5 more times!

I stopped twice; once to use the porta potty, and once just to take a short breather....BUT I did it! Jenny kept up her old ways, telling me "You are going to keep running", "You are not going to stop", "No, Jill, we haven't ran a 5k yet"....etc., etc., etc.

When all was said and done??

--We ran around the lake TWO times.
--I only stopped two short times.
--The run was 6.2 miles.

I had just run a 10k, when I didn't think I could do a 5k.

Pretty Amazing.

Everyone needs a Jenny. Not only for a running partner, but for a great friend!

THANK YOU, JENNY!

Friday Humor

As much as I'd LOVE to take full credit for these, I cannot. I was forwarded these pictures in an email today from my friend Marilyn and seriously had to hold myself to stop from peeing in my pants. I laughed SO HARD!

My two favorites?? The Olsen twins and Brittany Spears. And even though I am not a fan of Tom Cruise, that one made me smile as well.

Enjoy!!

How Celebrities Would Look If They Came From North Dakota

Pamela Anderson

Sara Jessica Parker

Sharon Stone

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
(I swear these two were at my Junior Prom in 1994)

Gwen Stefani

Brittany Spears
(She's mad because she didn't win her $100 back on her pull tabs)

Cameron Diaz

Ashlee Simpson

Tom Cruise

John Travolta

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Johnny Depp

Jennifer Aniston

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones