Sometimes I wonder if i can ever be a timely blogger....nope

The two jobs are going well but sometimes I get pretty tired. I have learned a lot from my new job at UPS and some days are pretty challenging. Some people are pretty challenging. There are many different personalities to deal with and its been quite a ride. For the most part, I love it. Wal-Mart is another story. Do I still like it? Yes and no. I like that I know everything I really need to know and that they come to me when they need help. I also hate it. I get to do the crap stuff because I know how to do it. At the same time, I get away with a lot of stuff that maybe I wouldn't normally be able to do. For the most part, its working well but at the same time I cannot wait til the day i get to have just one job again.

Time is going by way too fast. Its November... yes November. How did that happen? My baby is three...I also keep getting asked about when the next one is coming. Maybe if my body cooperates and allows me to have another child it will happen. Today is the due date of my brother Tyler and his wife's baby. Pretty excited for them :)

Today is also the day that Jason's grandma Anna is going to hospice. She has pancreatic cancer and she is not doing well and they say she probably only has a couple of days. Although I am quite sad that she will leave us soon, I will be happy when I know she is not in pain anymore. She has been so strong about everything but I know she has been suffering and I know God has a better place prepared for her. Keep her and her whole family in your prayers as we all have to say goodbye to a wonderful, caring woman.

Also, pray for Jason's Uncle Bruce. He is dealing with a rare stomach cancer and it will be a long, hard road for him.

If anyone has any good potty training trips I need some for Colton. He knows everything about it and will do it...just not consistently.

I am sure there is much more for me to write and a few pics to post, but I'm stopping for now...

Life Just Got Crazy...

So I DO NOT work full time at Walmart anymore. And it is the strangest feeling ever. For over 8 years of my life, that has been my job. And now its part time and I dont have the same responsibilities that I used to have. Now I just have a ton of experience and knowledge and value as a part time WalMart employee. I dont know how valuable that really is but its good for me.

However, part of my new life now includes a part time job at UPS where I start at 4am. That is going to take some adjusting and I am going to have to learn ALOT for this job. But I am really excited about it.

We are also now experiencing a pretty strong thunderstorm right now. excess of 60 to 70 mph hour winds hail possible tornadoes...exciting and scary..

Changes

Today was a day of many things. I learned at Wal-Mart that along with accessories I will be in charge of Jewelry and shoes....I think it will be a crazy busy job for me!! Hopefully fun most of the time. We will see.

I also had a job interview at a bank. It was a strange experience for me because I haven't had an interview outside of Wal-mart in 8 years!!! You read right...8. Hopefully that went well as well. If I get that job and the pay is right that could mean some big changes for me and hopefully open up a new career path for me. I will hear in about 2 weeks. That means some hard core patience on my part. Several people have asked me how I thought the interview had gone and really I have no idea. Could I have done better? Probably but I did the best I could and I was myself. Hopefully that is enough. I also have some issues with leaving a job I have had for 8 years. It is going to be a really hard decision. I am pretty loyal and I feel like I am betraying my job. There are many things I like about Wal-Mart and like I said- this wont be an easy decision if I get offered the job.

In other news, our garden is up! Everything we planted is coming up and hopefully it continues to grow well. Colton is enjoying watching things come up and helping mom in the garden. He most likes finding the rocks that are in the garden and throwing them :)

I also need a good weed spray that doesnt kill grass....any ideas???

Recipes for Clarissa

Ok, Clarissa.

These are a couple of recipes that I have tried lately and the people who ate them thought they were great. Perhaps you have made something like them? If not, try them....sooo good. Not good for you by any means but good none the less. They are both from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook, Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood. I like it. Some really good recipes. I want to get her other cookbook now... Anyway.... Also, I know this is a public blog that others can read but I hope you are well my friend...I miss you !! :)

Ok, first recipe.

Asparagus Bundles

2 pounds fresh asparagus, ends trimmed

12 slices bacon

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Divide the asparagus spears into 12 bundles. carefully wrap 1 piece of bacon around each bundle, starting about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the tips. secure the bacon-wrapped spears with a toothpick. lay the bundles in a low sided casserole dish.

in a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, soy sauce, garlic salt, and pepper. bring the mixture to a boil. pour the hot sugar mixture over the asparagus bundles. transfer the dish to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, or until the spears have begun to wilt and the bacon looks fully cooked. remove the toothpicks before serving.

I dont have a picture of this one but it is soo good !

Then, the second recipe.

Key Lime Cake

1 3-ounce package lime-flavored gelatin

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

5 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

3/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup Key lime juice (from about 25 small Key limes or 4 large regular limes)

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the gelatin, sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir to mix well. Add the eggs, oil, orange juice, lemon juice, and vanilla. Divide the batter evenly among the 3 pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness by lightly touching the tops of the layers or inserting a toothpick. Cool the layers in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto racks.

While the layers are still hot, mix the lime juice and the confectioners' sugar and pour it over the layers on the racks. You can pierce the layers with a fork to allow the glaze to soak in better. Allow the layers to cool completely as you prepare the icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1/2 cup butter, room temp

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temp

1 1-pound box confectioners' sugar

Cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until the mixture is smooth and easy to spread. Spread the icing between the layers and on the top and sides of the cake.

* The cream cheese icing in optional. This cake is beautiful and tastes great with just the glaze poured over it.

Update

I have been at home since about Monday at 1:00 in the afternoon taking care of the little man who picked up RSV somewhere. Oh the joys. However, He hasn't felt absolutely terrible which is good. Perhaps tomorrow I will go back to work depending on the fever situation. In other notes about Colton he has learned how to climb out of his crib. Fortunately he had decided to wait this long to try but now we get to find him a big boy bed. He thinks he's excited but we will see when he actually gets it. I am worried about him staying in the bed and not coming in to wake me up all the time or walking around at night and getting into things he isn't supposed to.

At work I feel like I am going to have to make a choice soon. I feel like its not somewhere I should be anymore. I don't really enjoy my work there anymore. This also means I have to start looking and I have no idea where to start. Anyone have any ideas?

Some people know that I am having difficulty with PCOS. Its called polycystic ovary syndrome. Basically there are many cysts on my ovaries and it throws everything out of whack. Since last March we have been trying to have a baby and so far it hasn't worked. In December the doctor gave me some medicine to see if that will help but also gave me instructions that if I wanted things to move faster to let her know. That may be something I will be looking into soon. I am scared of things like fertility drugs etc. I am hoping that there is some way to fix this without that or more but I don't think that will be the case. I want to have another one before Colton gets too old and they don't want to play with each other. Pray for some peace and progress with this situation. Some days I am fine with it and others are really hard where I feel like I am defective somehow.

I am so incredibly excited for spring to get here!! I am excited to smell dirt, new grass, rain, worms, the FIRST THUNDERSTORM, etc. I am also excited to go to Palisades Park and take some pictures. This year we are preparing for a garden which will be fun to teach Colton about. Hopefully we will make him a sandbox and if it is at all possible a fence around the backyard so Colton can play. I dream about this fence and just pray we can pull the money out of somewhere to get it. I just would feel so much safer with a fence around our yard. Not that our neighborhood is bad, but with new houses going up and Colton being extremely adventurous he would be safer.

I am also missing friends. I would love to see Gabriel, Clarissa, Becky, Chelsie, B*, Matt and April etc. It has been too long and I really miss them.

What are looking forward to this spring?

Oh Days Off....

I had to work all weekend so my next two days are off.....Thank goodness... I have big plans of cleaning etc.... we will see how that goes. Jason gets to have his first plane rides this week and I am hoping that goes well. It will be just Colton and I until Thursday when Jason gets back. Hopefully Colton and I will have fun....

I am patiently waiting for spring. Although the melting snow is probably going to create a floody mess....I miss green and the smell of grass and worms. And rain, and walks with Colton and the wagon and fires...mmmm I cant wait...

I'm waiting for Colton to be able to ride his Christmas bike etc...

alright back to cleaning for now...:)

Exciting!

So I just found out that I won a handmade card from The Dotted Duck !! Yay. These ladies make some super cute stuff! There are handmade cards and some awesome towel bibs for the little ones in your life or for your friends....Go there and check it out. Thanks again ladies :)

Recipes From Others I Want to Try

There are a couple people who post some really tasty looking recipes that I think I want to try. So, I am going to put them in here and hopefully soon get to try them and let you know how they go. The one I saw today was called:

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup canola oil

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the egg, milk, oil, orange juice and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raspberries and chocolate chips. Fill paper-lined muffin cups or cups coated with nonstick cooking spray two-thirds full.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

And there is this recipe I want to try....

Chocolate Revel Bars

Original Recipe Yield 1 - 9x13 inch pan

Ingredients

3 cups quick cooking oats

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat together 1 cup butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt; stir into butter mixture. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts and 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Pat 2/3 of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over the top, and dot with remaining oat mixture.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in preheated oven. Let cool on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 343 | Total Fat: 14.4g | Cholesterol: 46mg

Do you remember when holidays were actually holidays?

This is something that I am getting progressively more frustrated with. Holidays are not holidays anymore. Where did that time of family fellowship, relaxation and really thinking and knowing what is being celebrated go? I was fortunate and did not have to work on Thanksgiving so I got to see my family for a lot of the day and Colton got to go to my brother's house and "ride" horse. He thought it was amazing and it was so cute. However, Thanksgiving was my only day off that week and I had to be at work at 3:30am the next morning. Lame. Obviously there are many things that I am thankful for but I dont feel that there was time to enjoy being thankful. Again, I know i can always be thankful but if thanksgiving is to reflect on what we are thankful for there should be time to do it.

Christmas is the same. I have Christmas day off. AND Walmart has decided (for some unknown and ridicules reason) that on Christmas Eve they should be open until 8pm. I'm sorry but what the hell? I want time to spend with family, to think about the One who was born and died for our sins, to sing, to be thankful for all these things. I love Christmas day...its a good day but it goes so fast....

Shifting towards Christmas

Well the time is flying by. Colton has turned 2, he was a lion for Halloween and Thanksgiving is swiftly approaching. Thanksgiving isnt really that exciting for me though because the weekend after I pretty much work non stop. I really enjoy seeing family though! Then its
Christmas! Jason told me he really wants to decorate this year. However, when I ask him what he wants to do he says "I dont know, I dont decorate". So, we will see what happens. I love Christmas even though its a challenge to balance work and all the family. I love seeing everyone and am really happy when it all works out well.
Colton had a lot of fun going trick or treating. He even got to meet up with his cousin Caeden at Grandpa and Grandmas and go to a few doors with him. Caeden was a monkey and they were pretty cute together.
Today we are getting family and Coltons two year pictures taken. I am pretty excited and hope it goes well. I guess we will see. I am a lot fatter than I used to be so im guessing I wont like the pictures with me in them very much. We will see.
I started painting my entry way the other day. I am hoping I will like the color otherwise I will have to get some glaze and do a different technique on it ...
Colton has become quite the little conversationalist and has learned many words in a short period of time. It is amazing to listen to him and realize how much he knows! He has also used the potty a few times! Mommy is pretty impressed :)
One of Jason's cousins is getting married today. We feel bad we cant make it but wish her the best!
We are enjoying the warmer fall weather that we missed in October. I personally hope it sticks around awhile but we will see. It is crazy that is has already snowed because it doesnt really feel like it. I of course will add a few pictures here at the end :)

Where did Fall go?

It appears that I have trouble keeping up with updating the blog. Oh well. Funny story from this morning. Colton shows slight interest in the potty so he has one and this morning he hauled it out to the living room and wanted to use it. I let him take off his diaper and sit on the potty. Of course nothing happened so after a little while he started to walk around so I went to get his clothes and a new diaper. Next thing I know, little man is peeing on the kitchen floor! That was fun to clean up...it was pretty funny though. Thats what I get for letting him walk around without a diaper and at least it was on the kitchen floor and not the carpet. Fun times.
Colton's 2nd birthday has come and gone in the midst of busy times at work and home. We took a trip to Minneapolis to see the last Twins game in the metrodome. It was fun but Colton didnt get a birthday party. I was thinking about inviting some people over for cake soon. We will see.
Colton also had his 2 year check up. He didnt get any flu shots yet because they were out so I will have to call and see when some are going to come in again. However, the Dr. was really impressed with his vocabulary and speaking ability. He is still pretty skinny , his weight was in the 25th percentile while his height and head were in the 75th percentile. It seems he had another growth spurt! He is also finally getting his eye teeth for real this time. More drool. What fun. AND, he is becoming much more independent and I have seen a few more temper tantrums :( Hopefully they dont get too bad !

I am not very happy to see snow either...

Maybe I should Update

So I am super excited because I just realized that my dear friend Clarissa decided to follow the blog! Hi friend! Also, once again it has been awhile since I have written anything here. I did not get the new job at Walmart but I am pretty sure that is ok with me. Someone else can be the guinea pig and figure out what its all about. I have also been thinking about taking a class or two for something although I am not quite sure what yet. We will see how that goes.
Last night was not fun as I was sick. I actually havent thrown up in over two years and got to have that lovely experience last night. I am pretty sure that is done now :) I really hope Colton doesnt get sick now though.
Lately I have been looking for some good books to read as well. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great! Maybe I will have to take a look at my Amazon listing as well. I know i have a couple listed on there.
Colton has reached a new level in his terrible two stage...I hope its the top but I am pretty sure I would only be fooling myself to believe that is true! He is extremely curious and really likes trying everything so he has been a little difficult to control. However, I dont think I would change it because I would rather have a curious, brite, active and intelligent child than a passive one. He also likes to count and try to figure things out. I think he has more of his dad's brain than mine but who knows...he does like books as well. The only thing he isnt interested in at all is the TV. I am actually pretty thankful although I cant use that to provide a break for myself. Sometimes I wish I could just turn on the TV and that would entertain him for a bit ....no such luck. Oh well, like I said I would rather have him be curious and active than anything else. He shows a little interest in the potty but not a lot... We will see how that goes as well.
I also included a few pics of things we have been up to...

Not Sure

Sometimes I am just not really sure what I should do. There is a new opportunity at Walmart that I applied for but retail is obviously not something I am passionate about. I really could care less if a store has everything every person thinks they need to be happy. Granted, choices are good but we as a society have become so focused on things, and appearances, and money. It amazes me the things people think they need to get by. I am far from perfect in this area too. I have so much crap that I don't really do anything with and I want that to change . But how to go about that. Why can't we just be happy with having people we love in our lives, with the relationships, with the just enough. I'm sure that there are people who are but I have a hard time finding them.
I guess my point is that I want to work for someone/something that cares more about the people who work for them than for making sure they make every cent they can. I dont have daycare for Colton the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend. I have to work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday..... I have to find someone to watch him because I have to be at work.....I dont really know what my point is but I guess I wish I knew of a better job in something I am interested in and that was more family friendly and could still pay the bills.
However, I also wish people didnt judge others for the job they do. So what if I work at Walmart ...it atleast pays the bills and gives me a pretty good schedule to spend time with Colton. Does it mean I dont know what I am talking about just because it doesnt seem like I am using my BA in psychology? Hell no....I use it everyday in some way and dont think you can treat me like I am an idiot just because of where I work. Yes, I hope to someday find something that fits better but right now there are things that are more important ..like my little boy and my husband and family etc. Walmart is sufficient...maybe not ideal but it is a piece of the puzzle that is my life and if you dont like it . too bad.
ok, i guess thats enough of the frustrated blog....maybe I will have to write a cheerier blog soon.

Missing My Baby

I had to work Friday night and Saturday so Colton has been at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Sioux Center. That means that I have been bored :) Although that isnt neccesarily bad. Friday night Jason and I went out with Kate to Applebees after work and tonight I got to hang out with myself for awhile. That is something that rarely happens.
I am looking forward to next weekend when we get to go to Oak Grove to hang out with my grandparents and my mom's side of the family. We get to go canoeing and just generally have a good time with family.

Time Flies

Well, once again time seems to have gotten away from me. I'm trying to remember everything that has happened since I last wrote and it seems to be an awful lot of stuff :) Colton got to go fishing with Grandpa and Grandma Dolieslager at Covell Lake, and to the Airshow and swimming in his pool and the zoo....the list goes on and on...

At Walmart, they have started the store remodel so its incredibly interesting to go to work and see all the changes that have been made...I think it will be great when its done. Everything will make a lot more sense!

We are almost done with the room downstairs and then Mike will move in a bit until he gets married next summer....

i am having a hard time believing that tomorrow is August already....where did the summer go? I dont think i am prepared for the snow again already...
well, i guess thats all for now!

Out and About

Well we are back from our mini vacation and in the full swing of work once again... It went way too fast but we had a good time. Colton went to stay at Grandpa and Grandma's house in Sioux Center while Jason and I joined Mike and Janelle on the trip to the cities to catch three Twins games and other various fun.
The first Twins game was a long one to sit through..16 innings!! Over five hours of baseball fun. I will admit that I had a hard time sitting through that one :) On the plus side, our hotel was right across the road and we got to bed pretty quickly after that. We made a stop at ValleyFair to watch the fireworks and to go on some rides. I hadn't been there in awhile so for me it was really fun. Jason had a pretty good time as well.
Meanwhile, Colton enjoyed the fireworks in Sioux Center and took a ride in a big tractor with Great Grandpa Jack. He also got his very own vaccuum to help Mommy clean with! (it is a toy vaccuum)
Before we left Minneapolis, we just HAD to go drive past Target field and it looks pretty AWESOME!

Now, if i could only get the house cleaned up again :)

On Saturday I took Colton for his first haircut from someone else. I was really nervous because I had no idea how he would react to having someone he didnt know using a scissors right next to his head.... well he was an amazing little man! With the exception of a few head turns he sat still and was very calm . I was so happy! Now he looks like a handsome little man and not so much a baby anymore. That makes me kind of sad but oh well. They have to grow up right?
Work is interesting. I have been kind of thrown into apparel and its going ok but I am so glad there are people willing to help me out! Becki and Katie have been great and I hope they are still glad I came over :) I have also been having to do alot of interviews for the remodel crew. That can be pretty interesting and kind of time consuming.
I am pretty sad because it didnt work out for Gabe and I to hang out when he was here. I dont know all of what was going on but I have to admit I was pretty mad when he called and said he wouldnt be able to hang out. I guess not really mad but upset. We have been friends for how long and you are here for more than a week and couldnt find time to hang out with me? And i know stuff happened that he couldnt control so I understand but I was pretty excited to see him and then it didnt happen...
This weekend..VACATION!! pretty much cant wait....It is much needed.

More pictures from previous Blog

Funnel Cloud? I think so....Kinda scary since we were driving at the time . It was near Rock Valley and there was a Tornado near Doon... That was last Sunday.

The lightning is from Wednesday night... It was pretty cool to watch

Catching Up

Ok, we lost our internet for a few days so I havent been able to update. Kenny Chesney in Fargo was really good!! They were all really good. He sounds like he does on his CDs, which is great because not everyone does. I'll put up a few pictures.
I started working in Ladies Wear this past Monday and so far its been pretty fun. It is a lot different than working in the hard lines parts of the store and it will be something i will have to get used to but i think it will be fun.
Jas and I are now getting ready to go to Minneapolis with Mike and Janelle. I think it will be really fun! The only part I am worried about is that i wont get to see Colton for about 4 days :( I am pretty sure i will miss my baby a lot. But, it will probably be good for me to have a break for a little bit.
I have been taking pictures of some of the weather that has been going through lately. We have seen some pretty crazy stuff! Ill but some pics up of that too!
I am pretty sure i missed getting to see my friend Gabe :( He was home from Seattle for a wedding and i am pretty sure he has gone back which makes me sad....

Busy Day

I had the day off from work today so I tackled a project Jason and I have been talking about for awhile...we actually have a little bit of landscaping now! YAY...but it was a lot of hard work. We put in two trees for now and hopefully I can add the small stuff later. It is just the front yard so there is a lot more to do but I really liked how it turned out... Here are some pictures :) The bottom one is before anything was done and the others show some progress....I think i did a good job...what do you think?