Here's why I'm not enjoying my basement.

As I sit at my desk I am surrounded by messes, little piles that need my attention. However, I am easily distracted and feel I may need to be medicated to stay on task. I get up to get a cup of coffee and start looking for my calendar, then off to pick up the living room, go to the bathroom and start cleaning it, only to wonder why I got up from the computer in the first place and where is my coffee cup??? Holy Crapper I am old and forgetful. We have been blessed to have been able to spend time w/ many friends and activities going on and happy that Jac has been able to be a part of the fun as he's been laid off an extra week. But all the fun means no basement remoldel!!!! Ugh, that truley makes me mad and sad! We can't say we are lazy, but it feels that way so I went searching for my calendar (Still can't find it!) to see why the basement didn't get done the whole time Jac has been off, some three weeks. The beginning of the month after all the holiday stuff is over Game night and brunch took place, 10 cleaning jobs (FOUND THE CALENDAR, found my head life is good now!!) 3 birthday parties, 4 playdates, McDonalds playdate, 3 babysitting afternoons, museum day, 2 game nights, book club, bunko, coffee & story hour, Daisy meeting, 2 bowling nights, funeral, cleaning the garage and building storage in the garage, (can finally park in there big bonus!) 4 dinners Compliments of T.H.D.B's (thanks), kids' DDS appt, (no cavities yeah!!). Good Heavens the end of the month: 2 bowling, 1 daisy meeting (turned in cookie order), Papa's 92 birthday, Murder Mystery (can't wait for that), Baby shower. Looking at my calendar it looks like I was home and doing nothing on Tues 6th and Mon. the 12th. The day that Thuma's went to Trader Joes and Ikea and forgot about us!!! All of this equals= NO BASEMENT!!!! I have to say that it was worth it all. We had a great time with all of you. However, Feb. looks very boring and laid back. I'm going to be hibernating. See you in March............

Happy Birthday Big Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today my brother Scott is 41yrs young!

This blog is written to you.

I pulled out your baby book out of a chaotic mess of pictures dad had from our childhood and unfortunately the pictures haven't faired well, but your baby book tells a story. Not to be specific for personal reasons, but the hand writing in this book is precious because it is one of the last links to our mom. I love looking at the words, how they are written and reading what was on her mind at the time. She made sure to tape your umbilical cord to the page as as well the baby bracelets like we all do. She took the time to write down all of your firsts and what you like to eat and when. There is no doubt these recordings were written out of love for you. The cute picture of you bathing in the kitchen sink, your first birthday cake, the family pet, pictures of our BEAUTIFUL mom, you at Christmas opening up presents alone because I haven't come along yet, the deer reserve, the cabin snowmobiling and countless other pics when you grew older like your wrestling pictures, Disney, spring break with your buddies, working on the camaro. How you achieved redoing that old car is beyond me. I know it's because you are so very smart and can do and fix just about anything. I know you learned that from Dad. What a relationship you and he have. I picked this picture out of the bunch because I think you both are so handsome! Then you graduated and off you went to the Air Force. I have read the letters that you wrote home and I am so sad that I didn't respond; (In my defense I was young and dumb). You were trying to better yourself, but yet still wanted to be home. You sound so lonely. I am sorry, I should have wrote more often... one of many regrets. You did it on your own though...You have excelled highly in the Air Force and I am proud of you. You are now on your way to retirement which is so hard to believe. Why does life go so fast? You are an AWESOME dad to Sami and a loyal loving friend to many. I have one of your baby cards from a relative that reads: May your Joy be full and may life be good to you always!!! Given to you 41 years ago this prayer is for you. God bless you, have an awesome birthday and a prosperous, healthy year!!!!

Love,

Nikki

Story hour @ Rublev's

I had never been to the new coffee house on Pierson rd. until this morning. Our friend Melissa was reading for story hour (tuesdays 10 30) So we decided to check it out. I had a chai tea which was very tasty and Sulls got a to die for chocolate chip muffin YUMMY! Jac got some double espresso something or other and he is going to be zooming all day! (As I am typing he is cleaning the garage! ) Hooray for a coffee jolt! We sat on the couch and chatted enjoying our drinks that warmed our bellies. The kids' played with the magnet board and listened to Melissa read several very cute stories. Carmen, Melissa and I enjoyed looking up our favorite friends in the many Flushing year books they have on the book shelves. Circa 1990: Kim and Michelle very cool pics, Kim had such long hair lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great afternoon was had by all and we will for sure go back.

Art and playtime!!!

As the new year rings in I have decided to make some "resolutions", but not the traditional ones. We are vowing to get my kids out doors more, which Jac has done. We have been having playdates and the kids' love that. I am putting myself out there to plug in somewhere and this means attending a new church that we really like and can't wait to see and learn more about. I am trying to connect w/ long time friends and getting to know new ones, so far so good. I have been on the treadmill everyday and that seems to help my mental and physical well-being. Jac went to ITT to get some brouchures which is a HUGE step for him. He's looking into what he may want to be when he gets older. Not sure what if anything will come of it, but I do hope he pursues something he enjoys. Maybe just for enrichment. I have been doing art projects daily with my babies and this includes very messy play doh UGH!!, fingerpaints, and of course G's creative outlet: her drawing of her and Daddy on a summer day. I love that she is so in awe of her Daddy. Everything is about Jac right now, loves, loves him! I'm so excited to see her writing words and reading books. She has come such a long way from when we first started Kindergarten. May life be good to all!!! It is good to us! Thank you GOD.

Many Blessings!!

Okay so I got the game night and brunch pictures messed up sorry!!! Trying hard to get caught up. We had a great times guys thanks!!!

New Year's Brunch

Cheers to friends old and new! May everyone be blessed this year!

Kid Friendly Activities

Just to let ya know I came across a couple of things that might be of some interested to you:

Wed. 14th $1.oo admission to the Children's' Museum, We'll be going around 1pm.

Sat. 17th The Sleepy Log: 10am-12pm @ Flushing Township Hall, 6524 Seymour rd. The ad reads: Experience nature in the great indoors. Interactive displays and games will demonstrate what trees, insects and animals do in the winter. Crawl through a larger than life log to see hibernating animals and different signs that animals leave, including tracks and scat (?). Snacks and drinks available.

Sat 31th Winter Animal Signs: 1-2:30. Take a hike in the park and look for signs left by animals such as tracks, scat and animal homes. (Kristi this has your name all over it!)

Third Sat. of the month at Barnes and Noble they have an American Girl meeting @ 3pm. Not sure what this about, haven't went yet, but want to. Might want to call if you're interested.

This notice is for the creative, but frugal gal. (Tracey HELLO!!!)

Kelly Edwards of HGTV's Design on a Dime show: Sunday Feb 8th Clio Library @ 1pm. And in Grand Blanc McFarlen Library at 3 30. Kelly will give advice on decorating for less.

If you have any other fun things to do while it's still cold (getting colder by the minute) Than please post them so that we can all network our ideas and get through the winter boredom.

Ta Ta for now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!