Really it's half over?

Again, I'm blogging about the year being half over already. I can't believe it, but sure enough the calendar tells me that today is July 7, thus making 2011 half way through. We are on the downhill slide of the year.

So of course I'm working on my Christmas shopping! LOL I actually have bought some things and went through my gift and holiday closet while I was home to catalog exactly what I have. Candles, to cute gift bags, to snowmen to children's books. Found it all in there, and now I have a list of what there is. Each year and I give stuff from the "closet" I forget to update the list. So at least once a year, I go through it to check again.

So that was one time consuming but fun project I completed on my "vacation." I also had some drawers in a three drawer dresser that needed to be reviewed. I'm a collector of paper. I find sticky notes that are cute or stationary or note pads that I think I can't live without. But when I get them home, they are so cute, I feel bad for using them and they pile up! Well not anymore. I'm going through and using stuff. Writing one little note on a piece of paper and when I'm done, I'm throwing it away! I'm using all those cool sticky notes and I'm not going to feel guilty about it!

My goal for about two years was not to buy anymore shower soaps, gels and lotions (especially from Bath and Body Works). When I moved in 2008 and again in 2010, I realized how much of this stuff I truly have. So I've been trying to get it all used up! Just recently I smelled a new fragrance and ended up in the store buying some, but I'm now back to my boycott of their products until I get some more of the stuff I have used!

Well, I'm doing that for my paper and note products too! Hopefully I'll start using it and it will go faster than I think. I've even brought some to work and my co-worker asked for sticky notes today. Going to try to do the same about pens, but just don't know if that will work or not. Wish me luck.

Hope everyone is having a great day and enjoy the downhill side of the year!

Stephanie

Is anybody still out there?

So sorry that I've been gone for so long! Things have been crazy and I am just getting back in the routine of stuff. Six weeks ago I had surgery and have been recouping from that doing GREAT!

I go back to work a week from Tuesday. Got to get ready for that... hopefully it will be fine. Might be ready to get back into a routine. We'll see how it goes.

Just wanted to say hello! Good bye for now!
Stephanie

Spring... is that you?

I think I saw it this weekend. It was there for most of Saturday. Blowing around the front yard, swinging on the sunshine... and even floating out from the birds. And then Sunday... BAM... it was gone. Replaced by much cooler temps, rain and clouds all day and even cold enough to snow overnight!

I also lost power last night. Around 6 p.m. it went out. So I went out to mom's for the evening and was going to go home once I could verify that it was back on. I kept calling my house, but no one was home (and the answering machine didn't pick up) so I knew it would still be dark.

I finally gave up and went to bed at mom's house and set the alarm early to get up and go home to get ready. Boy 6 a.m. this morning was way earlier than it seemed to be a few days ago! And it was COLD and rainy... water everywhere. I believe the entire town of Mountain View is on a flood plain. My yard is gone and been replaced by a shallow creek.

My life has been a little complicated and keeping me on my toes lately. More to come at a later time, but my little head has been about to explode with all the info I've had to think about and make decisions on. I'll post more about all that later.

Hope everyone is doing well. Drop me a line or leave a comment sometime. Love to hear from my friends and family!

Steph

Almost month three

Can anyone else believe that tomorrow is March 1? Crazy how fast my life is going... and every now and then, I think I miss the bus. (No Jerry not the short bus!)

We've had snow and then 60 plus temps in the following days, back to snow and vice versa. It's been a roller coaster this winter. However, I think I am actually already looking forward to spring. I don't like the mud and wind that generally comes with Spring, but the green grass, fresh air and all that sounds nice.

I've been working on some Freelance projects and the big one is about done. I've been helping the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) team with printed items, presentation docs and any writing I can provide them. They leave Wednesday, so it's ready or it won't go with them! LOL

I'm still working at Air Evac Lifeteam and things have picked up a little. They always seem to with spring. I'm also still writing as a freelancer for Ozarks Farm and Neighbor (ozarksfn.com). That's been a wonderful thing. I love staying in touch with agriculture and those involved with it through this. And making a little bit of money at the same time! It's not all bad.

Matthew turned 11 in January and is growing like a week. He's in 5th grade and will be getting ready for baseball in the next couple of months. I know he's looking forward to it. I just hope he continues to enjoy it.

Not too much else going on in life HA! There's always too much going on. I have some health issues I'm dealing with; lawyers, courts and a "not soon enough ex" husband; things are starting to cost a lot more again lately (gasoline) and I'm still commuting 65 miles daily to and from work!

Anyway, life has its ups and downs. If I hang on, just a few more minutes in the realm of everything, I'll be headed up again soon! I just know it.

Halfway through January

So has everyone gotten used to writing 2011 for the date yet? If not, get with it.. January is almost half over. Well almost anyway. Tomorrow around noon will be the halfway point! Jan. 15 at noon x 2 = 31 days in January!

My baby, cute little Matty, turned 11 this past week. That's right I said 11! I know I can't believe it either. He's growing so quickly and turning into a young man before my eyes. It's scary how fast they grow up these days. I have to download some pictures, but I'll get some on here soon. Honestly you won't believe it!

I'm working with Rotary 6080 to create information for the outbound Group Study Exchange group and so far I'm having a blast. It's a lot of information to compile, but I enjoy a challenge and so far so good. PowerPoint, brochure and postcard -- all with a deadline of sooner rather than later! The group leaves March 3, 2011. So I've got about six weeks until they leave!

Well, just wanted to update for 2011. Time sure does seem to fly when you're having fun. If you're not having fun, with at least one aspect of your life, then you need to work on a new life. Until you can honestly say it's all good! That's what I'm doing...

Have a great weekend! Stephanie

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone is ready for the holiday and the family gatherings.... because they are ready for you. It's one of my favorite times of the year. Family will be gathering, friends having parties, wrapping presents (thanks Mike), making candies and desserts... it's a great time!

Here in the Ozarks we had our first little taste of bad winter weather. Last Wednesday, it hit fast and got bad. It had been predicted but we all tried to stay optimistic that it wouldn't happen. But it did. I left West Plains at 3:50 p.m. and it was getting so bad that it took me 1-1/2 hours to get home. However this was lucky... many ended up in the ditch, and others were blocked because of the accidents and icy conditions. Some took 3 hours plus to get to Mountain View from West Plains. Luckily those I know and love all made it home safely from wherever they were traveling that day.

Last month I got a new camera. That was my Christmas present to myself I guess, but I've been having a blast with it. I went ahead and got the Canon Rebel XT1i. Still learning all about it, but have some wonderful MU Football and Basketball pictures, as well as Matthew's basketball pictures. Made it to Silver Dollar City 2 times this Christmas already and the pictures have been wonderful!!! I'll try to get some loaded on the blog. Don't have them with me right now, but trust me, I love them!

Christmas Eve is Friday and Jason and family will be home for the Christmas celebration. I'm really looking forward to that. Wrapped presents this weekend and think I remembered everybody! LOL

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and even though we get caught up in the gifts, remember the reason for this season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! It's an amazing story and if you haven't read it recently, Luke 2:1-20.... here I'll just post it for you!

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

God Bless you! Stephanie

Here comes the holidays

Well, here comes my favorite time of the year. The holidays are getting close and I'm working on my Christmas shopping and holiday plans. Have some great ideas for both, but nothing figured out just yet.

Things have been going well and now that Matthew's football season is over, it might slow down a little, right? MVBT Liberty Eagles are in the state playoffs and play Wednesday night against Hollister. Hope it's a good game and great victory. We'll be waiting to see who we play if we win. Will be Strafford there or Cuba at home!

It's finally gotten cool this week. Actually it's going to be cold by Friday morning. Lows in the upper 20s! That's what I'm talking about. A reason to snuggle up in a blanket with a movie and popcorn. Or for my house, snuggle up in the Mizzou snuggie and watch MU Basketball. Exhibition play starts this Friday night! Go TIGERS! And the football tigers are ranked in the top 25 and BCS 25 and they've been playing on ABC lately. They will play again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Texas Tech! GO MIZZOU!

Had been reminded that this was out of date again, so here's the update. Have a great November.
Stephanie