Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral Epicondylitis is the medical term for "tennis elbow". I went to the doctor this morning after about of month of pain in my elbow and this is what I was diagnosed with. Now I have to wear a geeky wrist brace for a month and I have to be careful lifting things with my right arm. If I could only get a massage...

Here is what webmd.com says about tennis elbow:
Tennis elbow is caused by either abrupt or subtle injury of the muscle and tendon area around the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow specifically involves the area where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside bony area (called the lateral epicondyle) of the elbow. Overuse injury can also affect the back or posterior part of the elbow as well.

The pain has started to run down my arm and up my shoulder! :( The doc said if the wrist band and ibuprofen for a month doesn't help we'll move on to a different treatment, shots! I have no idea what I did that caused this but it's annoying! Sheesh!!

Happy St. Patricks Day

Here's a holiday that most of us know only for wearing green so you won't get pinched. I decided to look up the true meaning of St.Paddy's day and why we, Americans, even celebrate an Irish holiday. I looked up History.com and found some facts about St. Paddy's day...
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

You might even be surprised to know that an Oklahoma town was named after this holiday...
There are four places in the United States named after the shamrock, the floral emblem of Ireland: Mount Gay-Shamrock, WV; Shamrock, TX; Shamrock Lakes, IN; and Shamrock, OK.
Nine U.S. towns share the name of Ireland's capital, Dublin. With 39,328 residents in 2005, Dublin, CA, is the most populous, followed by Dublin, OH.

How was St. Patrick's day introduced into the US...
The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in the United States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.

Why is the shamrock significant...
The shamrock, which was also called the "seamroy" by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.

I think I might 'go green' for dinner tonight! Let me know if you have any dish ideas. I'll post my meal tomorrow! In the mean time, I hope you don't get pinched today!!!

Play Ball!

Easton is back in baseball for the spring and he is really enjoying it! I think the "I wanna be good at this" bug has finally bitten. Wawhoo! He's been going to hit with his Papa G and dad and sometimes we can even get him out to play catch! He is really a good little ball player and it helps that he's on a rockin' team. They had their pre-season tournament the first weekend of March and they won their league. E has many fans and we all have a great time watching him.
YAY Oklahoma Cubs!!

Coupon Divas ROCK!

My friend, Becky, turned me on to the coolest website. If you're a saver or thrifty, or if you're like me and just want the savings to come easy, then you're gonna love this website. The Coupon Divas are AMAZING! I've only been able to make my way through part of the website, but I LOVE IT. I've printed off so many coupons for great deals. Easton needs new shoes and I found a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase at Famous Footwear. I've also printed coupons for:
Target
Old Navy
Justice Just for Girls
And there are so many more.

START SAVING!!!

HELP!!!

I'm about to share with you a few of my weaknesses, not EVER to be used as blackmail, coercion or ridicule. When I was a little girl I can remember my Uncle Clint leaving shopping money for me and my sister before one of his many early Saturday golf games. Sissy, my aunt, would take us shopping every, and I do mean every, weekend. It's really one of my biggest memories as a child. Anyway, I would undoubtedly use my money for paper, crayons, markers, coloring books...pretty much any kind of pens and paper (weakness #1)!

Well, this little hobby has spilled over into my adulthood. I'm a big crafter (weakness #2), stamper, scrapbooker, and with all these hobbies comes more pens and paper. For me, going into any kind of store that sells this is like Heaven on Earth...I could linger for hours, and spend a little too ;). Unfortunately, all of these little hobbies are catching up with me or maybe I should say taking over!!

When Phil and I built our house in 2000, we had them convert what was supposed to be the back porch into an office. Phil has always done a lot of work from home and I, well, like to craft. We thought we had the perfect plan. Like I said earlier, my hobby started to overtake me...and the office. Well, I have officially had enough!!! I'm so tired of the mess we call an office. We've had plans to move all my stuff into the little nook in our room but that just hasn't happened yet. Cleaning out our office is going to be a major undertaking and cleaning is not my forte (weakness #3). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a clean house but not if I'm the one who has to do it...let's just say a house of five is not easily maintained.

So, here is my dilemma...please don't shudder as you take a look at the following pictures. Note: this is only my half of the office, I didn't take pics of the other side. I wanted to spare you some of the chaos.



You might be wondering why I'm posting this. I'm hoping this will give me motivation and accountability. I am also looking for organizing suggestions. Please send me what ya got!! Donations accepted, LOL!!

Piercings

Olivia and I decided on a whim to have her ears pierced a second time. She was so pumped! So we went a couple of weeks ago to Walmart and had it done. She did much better then I thought she would; she didn't even cry! My little girl is getting so big! Check out the pics and notice NO tears! I love my little girlie-girl!! So fun!!
Look at that excitement...

She's being very brave!!


A slight grimace

All smiles...BEAUTIFUL!!

Principal's 200...AGAIN

Well, I'm just SO proud to say that Easton has also made the Principal's 200 Club! He was helpful to another student at his school! His teacher told me he was so sweet! Easton can be the sweetest little thing, you just never know with him what you're gonna get! But we sure love him!

You can click here to check out the post about Parker making the Principal's 200 and find out what it's all about.

Looks like Livie is the next one to make this honor...but I have no doubt she will.

Easton we are SO proud of you! Keep loving and doing good for others!!

2 Hunksi

So yesterday I get a phone call from the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kuepker, from the kids school. My first thought was, "GREAT!!! Which one is in trouble?!" Here's how the conversation went...
"Hi, Kelly? This is Mrs. Kuepker from Briarwood. I'm calling to let you know that Parker was chosen to be in the Principal's 200 Club." "That's good," I said, "What is it?" LOL!!! "It's an honor the kids are given when they go above and beyond in service. Parker has been helping a kindergartener and he's being recognized for that."
Needless to say, we are SO proud of Parker. I know it's important to do well academically but to be told that your child goes above and beyond in how he treats people is a godly trait. I couldn't be more proud of him. It speaks volumes for they type of person Parker is and his character.
WE LOVE YOU PARKER!

My New Digs

I have officially started my new job this week, which I have learned is one of the hardest things for me. Especially since I loved my old job, the people I worked with, and my office was super-spiffy (just needed a little decorating), but onward I must go...

Here is my new, temporary, office. It's at TinkerAFB in a machine shop. The actual building is planned for demolition so we'll be moving to a newly remodeled building in the next few months. For now here's where I spend the bulk of my day, anyone have any decorator tips??


I even took a pic of my rickety-old chair...might be needin' a Chiro soon!!

Under the Dome

I've been reading Stephen King's Under the Dome for awhile now...I'm too embarrassed to tell you actually how long. I'm about half way through and this is my mid-way review. So far I really enjoy the book. It's taken quite a while to build characters and story line but I think it's going to be worth it.
This book is set in a small town with typical small town politics and everyone is 'on a side'. Add a dome on top of all that and you've got a recipe for disaster after disaster. I'm always looking forward to see what's going to happen next and how all this chaos is going to end.
I found a short clip on YouTube, I think it'll get you a little excited about reading this book. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm finished with it...sheesh!!
ENJOY...

Looky What I Got...

Phil and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary last week and as our gift to each other we bought a Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera. What's even more exciting for me anyway is we got the Raspberry color! I haven't had a chance to play with it very much but this probably means you'll be seeing more videos on the blog!! Yippee!!

Thanks for my present Phil...I think I'm gonna have a lot of fun with it!!

Happy 2010!!!

Can you believe it...2010!! At one time it seemed like 2010 was almost futuristic, something untouchable but we're actually living it. How times flies without us hardly taking a breath it seems. I hope you all find time to enjoy 2010. Slow down and EMBRACE what you might otherwise miss or at times find annoying or irritating in the ones you love.
I think this passage from Ecclesiastes 3 is a great way to start every year...

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

I love you all and my God bless you beyond all that you can imagine (Eph 3:20).

Snow Tubing Bricktown Style

The Tuesday before Christmas we went with some friends to Bricktown to snow tube. None of us had ever been before so we weren't sure what to expect but we all had a good time! The weather was actually perfect...not too hot and not too cold!!
The Girls...Misty, Tina, Shannon & Kelly

The Guys...Phil, Jason, Wade & Brian

Phil before take-off!


Short video to come...

Pioneer Woman Book Signing

Yes, this post is a bit late but I wanted to get it out there. Ellen and I went to The Full Circle Bookstore in 50 Penn Place on Thursday, Oct 29. The book signing started at 6:30pm, we got there at 6pm and the line was probably already 200ish people long. We knew we were in for a LONG night!! I think the line started finally moving about 7:15 or so. We saw several news media, met some new friends (Hi Scott & Amy), and Ellen and I bonded!! Ahhhh, good times!! A glass of wine and some snacks would have made it all better, although Scott did come through on the snacks later in the night!! Ha!! Anyway, we finally got to meet Ree, AKA The Pioneer Woman, about 9:40pm. She is the nicest person, very genuine! I'm not sure I would still be so 'happy' after signing SO many books but she was wonderful. I had her sign three books, one for me and one for my mom and Nancy! They were Christmas presents for my moms!! My mom has already read it front-to-back and has made 2 or 3 recipes. She loves it! I will agree, it is a GREAT book...very well written/made. Ree is a VERY talented woman. If you haven't checked out her cookbook you should...it's worth it. You can click HERE to check out The Pioneer Womans website...not only can she cook, but she can write and is a talented photographer.
Some of the line...

Me, Ellen & Ree

Thompson Tree Lighting

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Elf on OUR Shelf

We've been visited this year by a little guy in red; our very own Elf. The kids have given him the name Schmoopy. Here's how he works...everyday he sits on a shelf and watches the kids and at night, while the kids are sleeping, he flys off to Santa to report on how the kids acted that day. In the morning, when the kids wake up they get to look around to find where Schmoopy has landed for the day. It's always fun to see where he ended up. BUT, there is one stipulation...no one can touch the elf or he loses his power and won't be able to fly back to Santa.

Easton and Olivia have had a fun time looking for him every morning and imagining him flying off to see Santa. We've not had very good luck on the side of what he might be reporting to Santa, it hasn't seemed to phase their behavior any!! Urgh!! I hope this is a tradition we can carry on with our grandkids cause it's a fun one!!
Here's the book that tells the story of the elf!

Crazy places 'Schmoopy' has shown up...

It's a Shabby Souls Kind of Christmas

One thing I truly enjoy is getting together with my Shabby Souls. I think a couple of reasons is because of the unique way this group came together in the first place and the other reason being how I went from hating to read when I was younger to now loving it!! Anyway, our meeting for this month was our First (hopefully annual) Christmas Dirty Santa. Each of us brought a new, wrapped book that we ourselves would like to read. Nicole and Natalie cooked up some yummy goodies too!!
All because two girls became friends...


The gifts before our game of Dirty Santa, Shabby Soul style!

This is the book I left with...LOVE IT!!!! Thanks Nicole!!

Iron Man 2

The previews for Iron Man 2 have been released and I am so excited. The kids and I watched the first one and LOVED it. Robert Downey Jr. plays this character amazingly and reminds of what an excellent actor he is. I know, I know, some of you are probably rolling your eyes but if you haven't seen the first one you really should...it's worth it. Click HERE to watch the trailer and leave me a comment with what you think. I know me and the kids will be in for some popcorn and a comfy seat at the Warren come next May!!!

Happy "8th" Birthday Easton!

Eight years ago today God brought a sweet little baby boy into this world...can you hear the squealing of breaks as you read that? Anyone that knows Easton knows that sweet isn't always the best word to use when describing him. In fact, for his birthday I bought him a shirt that says, "I'm Not Trying to be Difficult it Comes Naturally"! Yep, that about sums up Easton. He really is a fun kid and he does keep us on our toes; we never know what his reaction is going to be in any situation. But when he wants to be loving he is AWESOME at it!! I've tried to train him to say, "I'm a Lover, not a Fighter!" Seriously, God did bless us with a HUGE-hearted, loving, unpredictable, moody, spirited, sensitive, strong-willed, smart, and God-loving little boy.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH LITTLE EASTON!!! HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!

Shabby Souls Night Out

In November us girls went to the Warren to see New Moon...it was GREAT!!! Our seats were in the balcony and we had such a fun time! I always enjoy spending time with my Shabby Soul sistas! We hollered and giggled like high school girls! We're already eagerly anticipating the next movie in the Twilight saga...Eclipse.
Kelly, Jeana, Becky, Karlin & Natalie

Allison, Natalie & Nicole

Kelsie & Megan - Love the shirts, girls!!

Sarah, Nicole, Natalie, Michelle, Becky & Karlin

Jeana, Kelly & Sarah having 'Edward's Kiss'...bluch!!!

All of us in front of the New Moon poster

LSI Ribbon Cutting & Open House

Last Wednesday, Dec 2, was my big debut as event and party planner at my work. I've never had that responsibility and to be honest I wasn't that worried about it. I will say I was ready for that day to be over though!! And look, here I am a week later, alive and still with a job!! Haha!

The President and CEO of our company, Logistic Specialties, Inc., and two Vice Presidents came all the way from Utah to participate in the acitvities. Our office in OK moved this summer from one office park to another, Tinker Business and Industrial Park (TBIP) on the corner of 29th and Sooner Rd, and we wanted to invite people in for an Open House. We had guest from all realms of the aeronautics industry attend, it was a great success. I hired Andrea from Two Olives Cafe and Catering to cater...go with what ya know, right! Well that was smart cause the food got rave reviews! Oh yeah!! I received lots of praise...just bring on the raise!!

Here are some pics from the day!
Jack Srnec, Ken Calhoun, Larry Kennedy, Sean Slatter-CEO & President, Kelly Thompson, Kori Ann Edwards, Jenny Marosok, Allen Shipes, Bill Foster, Tom Hand

Pic of the Food

Let the guys loose in Walmart...

and they seem to find the craziest things. I could not believe what Phil and Parker showed up with when we split up from them the other night at Walmart...but we sure had some good laughs. I wanna know if anyone else had heard of this stuff.



I am not kidding, this is a real thing!! You can click the link below and go to the website...
Anti Monkey Butt Powder

Good times!!

Urgh...

Well, I blew it, that didn't take long. I'm pretty upset with myself but I'm continuing on anyway!! Urgh, it really aggravates me! Sundays are hard but that's no excuse. There were other things I had intended on doing yesterday that didn't get done either. The list is long. I'll double post today, maybe that will make up for no-post yesterday! Man, what a disappointment! :(

Glozell

I've been introduced to someone pretty funny by my cool friend Lainey, her name is Glozell. She posts a lot of videos on YouTube and even has her own blog. She has several funny videos but this one is a current event and we thought it was great!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Her Fearful Symmetry

By Audrey Niffenegger


When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. These two American girls never met their English aunt, only knew that their mother, too, was a twin, and Elspeth her sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers -- with seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs, or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago, and with an abnormally intense attachment to one another. The girls move to Elspeth's flat, which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. They come to know the building's other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Marjike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt's neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including -- perhaps -- their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.

I was SO disappointed with this book! My fellow Shabby Soul, Nicole, and I started reading the book at the same time and she only made it through 100 pages because of boredom. I decided to push on through hoping for the 'magic' to begin. Well, it never came. Even up until the last page I was left empty. I didn't connect with the characters, the story or the plot. I was really wanting great things from this book after reading The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegers' first book. It was amazing. BTW, it took me two months to get through this book. Sheesh!!

For more book reviews checkout The Shabby Souls blog.

OK Capital Tree Lighting

Tuesday night was the annual Oklahoma State Capital Tree Lighting Ceremony. Governor Brad Henry invites first grades from all over the metro area to come and be a part of this 'festive' event and I use the word festive very loosely! It's more like a 'chaotic' event.
Here's how this works, each class gets a 4-ft tree to decorate, the Governor, First Lady and Santa, along with their entourage, come around to each school for a photo opp, then everyone makes their way down for the actual Tree Lighting Ceremony. I wish I knew how many schools participated but there were 4 floors full of kids, teachers, and their families, oh and media. We went last year with Easton's class. We arrived early, stood around forever and then went down for the Tree Lighting, which by the way was not really appropriate for a bunch of elementary kids. The Governor and someone else gave some speeches and then the tree was lit!! Sounds cool but honestly we couldn't really even see the tree very well, and we actually had good seats.
Okay, so I know it sounds like I'm complaining a lot but I was truly excited about going last year until I got the beat down of the year...ugh!! This year we decided to do things a little differently. We got there right when things were supposed to start, 4:30, but we forgot to take into account the security line we'd have to wait in. We made it to Livie's class tree at 4:39, the Governor and his group were already there for the photo opp!! REALLY!!! I threw Livie into the picture and ran in front of everyone to at least try and get a decent picture!! Yes, I'm that mom!! Mrs. Dorran, Liv's teacher, said we were the Governor's first stop, figures! After that we let Livie hang out with some of her friends for a little bit and get a few pics and then we were ready to go!!
I guess I wouldn't discourage people from going but just be forewarned that it is pure madness!!!
Just in time...

Olivia with Mrs. Dorran

Olivia, Alyssa & Audrey

Olivia showing off the ornamnent she made for the tree

30 Days of Blogging

My Super-Cool friend Shannon has inspired me to take on a challenge. She too has a blog, A Plumb Crazy Life, and I don't think she would mind me saying that she was not a 'regular' blogger. So she decided to challenge herself to 30 days of straight blogging. Yesterday was her 30th day and she did it...YAY ShanCat!!! Since I have been less than dedicated to my blog lately I decided to take on her challenge, maybe inspired is a better word. Truth be told I was going to start yesterday since it was the first of December and go the whole month but that didn't happen. Hehe! I know, it looks like I'm already getting off on a bad start but you just watch...and read!!