It FLEW

I can't believe that today is already FRIDAY-YEAH. This week went rather quickly but not without the usual ups and downs.

My lil guy is still not feeling 100% and neither am I, although, I am not feeling as badly as I was. Weds. night I had to miss a very impt. meeting because I had a sinus headache that turned into a full blown migrane. I made John turn off the lights downstairs when i was in bed as they hurt my head. I still had it when I woke up at 3am, but thankfully by 7am, it was gone.
This weather sure doesn't help it. ICKY and sticky.

John has been working hard to get the outside decorated for the holidays. We have the whole PEANUTS theme again and man is it growing with my fantastic purchases from the Catalog Store. I luv it. I will post some pics this weekend. The inside of the house hasn't even been started, but give him some time.

Tonite my sister and "Little Amanda" fly in from Colorado for a quick weekend visit. Joshy can't wait and neither can I. Nothing major on the agenda just some visiting and catching up. I think we will go to Lowry Park zoo for some Winter Wonderland either tonite or tomorrow.

No chance of being scrappy this weekend, but I hope to complete some projects before all of the holiday madness is upon us.

Have a great Friday,
Jackie

From the mouth of BABES

"We had a great time tonite".
That pretty much says it all coming from an absolutely EXHAUSTED 3 year old!! And, let me tell you, he was right. He promptly passed out 2 seconds after completing the thought.

We drove over to St. Pete to have our usual weekend dinner with MIL and SIL. After we ate, we stopped for ice cream and then we drove down to the Pier to hopefully get a glimpse of some lights. We had missed the tree lighting in Hyde Park the night before and I was very disappointed.

We parked and walked around. Took some great photos and then spur of the moment, we jumped in a carriage and had an absolutely amazing horse/carriage ride around downtown St. Pete.

It was wonderful.
The BEST part of the evening was taking the photos in Santa's sleigh. Now you wanna talk about an absolute HAM BONE of a child. Check out one of the twins that hopped in with us and would NOT get out until he said CHEESE and had his photos taken with us. He was a RIOT.

As Joshy said, and I concur, we had a great night!!

Oh so thankful

We had such a lovely day yesterday. The entire family together to celebrate all that we have to appreciate and one VERY happy little boy. He brings so much joy to the entire family. It was an absolute THRILL to watch him enjoy his choo choo birthday cakes and all of his gifts.

HE, however, is the gift that we all enjoy!!

Happy November 22nd

Three years ago at this very moment, the decision was made.......
I was rushed down the hall to the operating room as my baby boy Joshy was NOT tolerating my labor and the doctor didn't want anything to happen.

So at 10:45am, John donned his scrubs and off we went. Approx. 30 minutes later, the tiniest of lil guys was welcomed into this world by two of the most appreciative(and scared) parents.

Happy Birthday Joshua Daniel!! You are truly a gift-I just wish my Daddy were here to share you with us, but oh he is soooo here in many many ways.

I luv you little man and I am so proud to call you my own!
Mommy

RAK

This time of year, it is especially important to stop all the chaos and remember just how much we all have to be thankful for. I am truly feeling that this weekend.

I had a crazy, busy, run around taking Aunt Sue all over yesterday kinda day. Accomplished absolutely NOTHING and I was pms-ing. NOT a good combo. However, we did get to Publix and get Turkey day shopping completed. Also, we did it all w/o the little guy, who was home with Daddy and CFA playing. Then we were off to St. Pete.

I read on Lisa Bearnson's blog last week about Random Acts of Kindness. In fact, she had a contest going for the best one. Cried while reading many of them. WOW. I replied to her blog saying how nice it was to know there are still people in this crazy world that take the time to appreciate others.

Well, since I didn't post a RAK to be chosen from......couldn't think of one that was worthy although I do consider myself to be a generous person. ............I was chosen among 10 random winners to receive a 2nd prize........the new Sketches book. I had already purchased it myself-although haven't opened it just yet.

Anyway, my RAK for the day is that I emailed back for them to give it to someone who doesn't have it yet.

So, here is my challenge to anyone who might actually read this blog......
Email me with YOUR RAK that you complete this week(prior to Thursday Turkey Day) and I am going to pick one person to send a TLC JINGLE album to.

Go out and do something self-less for a change and lemme hear what you did.
Jackie

Internal Clock

Okay, could someone possibly tell me how in the heck you teach a nearly 3 year old what an internal clock might be? OMG.

He had a complete and TOTAL meltdown at Aunt Sue's house yesterday afternoon as she and I were attempting to sort thru the numerous gifts we have been hoarding in the closet for a year now. Of course, she can't find ONE thing she bought so she was going nuts. Ha. Anyway, he fell asleep in the car on the way home at 6pm. That was nice as he really needed it. BUT, he slept thru the night. Great for me.......and for dh. We had a chance to TALK for the first time in awhile. We seem to be tag team parenting lately with little time for US. So, great night til.......the little bugger decided that 4:47 AM was morning and time to be up for the day. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I am so ready to go back to bed. Hope it is a wonderful day for all. It is a bit too cold inside this house right now. Adding insullation needs to be on the list of things to do SOON.
TTFN,
Jackie

The saga continues

THE BIG COMFY COUCH!!
Well, after 25 days of NOONE from my fabulous pool company showing up-I sent a scathing email. It could have been worse, but although this company appears to have great difficulty with follow-thru, they, can apparently READ.
I gave them two days Weds morning to show up before I proceeded with making phonecalls that I assured them they didn't want me to make. Lo and behold, TWO crews showed up yesterday. AMAZING. They were here again this morning before 7am. I am sure the neighbors luved that.
They have desicrated what was the sofa, loveseat, cushiony couch and are attempting to make it right. We shall see. If in another lifetime I ever buy another house, I will make certain that the pool is already there. This is one process I do not wish to relive.

The weather is fabulous this morning. VERY brisk and a nice change. Hoping for a wonderful weekend.
Jackie

Bad, Bad Blogger

So it is already Tuesday and I haven't been on here since Fri. Shame on me. Ha ha.
Did anyone miss me??

Very nice weekend had by all of us. We went over to Celebration on Saturday for the MS Annual Meeting. I was going to be there as a vendor before I found out that I won the award ........OMG. What a magnificent hotel. UNREAL.

The whole shindig went well. Sold a bunch of adorable Plushland bears and cried my eyes out when I was called up for my award. Some of the other's accomplishments made me feel sooooo tiny in comparision but what an honor to be standing amongst them. The award is beautiful and can be seen on NMSS.org if you look under the Mid Florida Chpt and the ACTIVIST winners.

We really had a nice day. Johnnie, Joshy, Aunt Sue and my MIL Eileen were all there to see me in my glory. With Joshy there it felt like my Dad was with me too. I got to see all my MS Society "friends" and discovered what I already knew to be true. I am truly BLESSED to have been given this disease so that I can have all of these people in my life!!!!!! I know, you are reading and thinking that I have truly LOST what might be left of my mind, but in reality, I am SERIOUS. These people ARE my family.

I was asked at school today to write down what I am thankful for and ironically, the first thing that came to my mind was my HEALTH. My health you ask? YES YES YES.

You see, there are always going to be others who are far worse off than I am -afflicted with numerous other ailments and I am so lucky to wake up each and every day and tackle whatever it is that is thrown at me. That is my attitude and I am sticking with it.

Now don't go calling my neurologist and telling her to UP my meds. I am GREAT and truly thankful for soooooooo many things.

Off to complete some more painting projects . I luv being crafty.
Nite to all,
Jax

TGIF

I am very glad that it is Friday!! Why do some weeks just seem to NEVER end? This one was def. one of those.
I am very happy that I had my house cleaned this week. Mind you, there is still PLENTY to do, but on the surface, there is a huge improvement.

We are off to Celebration tomorrow morning to sell my adorable MS plushland animals and for the Annual Meeting of the NMSS at which, I am being honored with the Perpetual Idealist Award.

I will post when we return.
Jackie

Feeling Blah

In my family, when one is feeling BLAH, we have always called it "Feeling MUSHY". That is me today. One big ball of MUSH.

I cried several times and that is NOT like me. I was feeling really stressed at work and I don't like that feeling at all. I worked thru lunch, which I never do, but I HAD to.

My day started with someone in my assigned parking spot. I HATE that. Then I went to my mailbox to find a "gift" from the resource teacher-21 writing tests to score and return PRIOR to 8am tomorrow. Well that is all well and good, but I didn't get them until 11:30 when i arrived and I don't go back to work until 11:30 tomorrow. Which means, I worked thru lunch and had ONE hour after school(2:30-3:30 ) to get them scored and turned in on her desk.
I did NOT like that feeling at all. I emailed at 11:33 saying that I wasn't certain it would get done(cc'ed P too). Of course, NO ONE answered my email. And what is all this for ????? MAP . bonus that I won't get anyway........
Oh sometimes I hate my job, but most of the time I truly do luv it and my job sharing . Today, was NOT one of those days.

Joshy was 100% himself today. He ate NON stop for the first time in over one month. Amazing. The surgeon told us two weeks and today is two weeks. We go for our post-op follow up tomorrow morning. He got the cutest haircut today too.

Saturday we head to Celebration for me to accept my award. I am getting nervous about that too. I so do NOT like to be in front of big crowds. Hope we just walk across the stage or whatever and get it. If anyone is in the area, c'mon by and get some adorable plushland.com animals that I will be vendoring. All to benefit the NMSS.

Okay, off to finish up some projects and dinner too.

Hoping tomorrow is a better day!!
Jax

Good Morning Tuesday

Had a really nice weekend. The weather was picture perfect, although, I didn't take any pictures.
I got scrappy a bit.........but not as much as I would enjoy.
Sunday afternoon, Joshy and I headed out and were actually gone about 4 hours leaving dh and his cranky self home to organize the garage. Now, there is still SOME glimmer of hope that a car might eventually go in there, but at the moment(unlike Miss Linda's), the only car will be Matchbox size. As Joshy tells me, we need a bigger house. The house is okay but a 3 car garage wouldn't hurt. LOL.

Nothing at all new on the pool front. Haven't seen anyone here for two weeks. All I can say is this: If we should EVER move and that is doubtful, I am buying a house that already has a pool. This whole process has been stressful. I know I will forget all about it when I am floating come summer, but I am sick of looking at all the CRAP in my yard. I am quite certain my neighbors are sick of it too.

Nothing much else going on. School is good. Quiet week for me this week, but checked my calendar and I have something every single night next week. UGH. Dreading it already.

Have a fantastic Tuesday everyone. I am off to finish up 3 more altered clipboards that I am giving to teacher's for gifts.
Jackie

What a beautiful day!! The weather was absolutely to DIE for. Great breeze, sun shining and wow. Picture perfect.
We drove over the bridge and had bkfst w/the inlaws. They took Joshy for awhile while we strolled over to WSD and checked out all the make n take projects . Saw some old friends, made some new ones, as always. And, spent some money. Dh was standing right there at check out so I had to behave myself. I did find some great BG paper in the clearance rack and bought a couple of nifty items I hope to alter.

THANX bunches Stacey for the mini album. Sorry I forgot to bring you your stuff. I will get over there this week, promise.

We left Whims and headed over to Toys R Us, There is noplace like it to buy kiddo stuff and the one over here closed down dammit. We did manage to find a couple of birthday gifts for the lil guy we couldn't leave unattended. They are now safely in Aunt Patty's garage. I also made a short list of thing for other's to purchase as many people keep asking .....lol.
What a lucky lil guy.
We grabbed a bite to eat at our favorite SP dive Johnny's. YUM. One of the best chx parm around, and i am a chix parm snob as I make it better than most of the places I have eaten it out. NOT Johnny's. He does a great job.
Joshy is still not eating, bur picking here and there. He wore out his Aunt Pat and his Nanny, but everyone had a nice day. I am now workin on three altered clipboards for gifts and can't wait to sink my mind into the stuff I bought to get busy on. WOO HOO. I luv when inspiration kicks in. Now to find th etime. Oy. Never enough of that.

I am beat and my meds are kicking in. Gotta sleep while I can cause JR. Mint is gonna be up at five am ish as the time change WILL mess him up, which results in the same for ME.

Sweet dreams and cool breezes,
Jackie

long one

Good Morning all~
I am not sure that I have been so happy to have a weekend arrive in quite some time. This week, esp. the last 3 days were just overloaded and packed FULL and I was so wiped out last night that I was in bed at 9pm. I didnt' fall asleep right away, but once the Ambien kicked in, I was good til 6am, when I heard dh sneak out to go fishing.

I got my report cards done, held 17 conferences, scored and turned in two sets of demand writes test papers(what a difference from 3rd to 4th graders-yikes), completed and turned in lesson plans and managed to survive the craziness.

I have absolutely NOTHING on the calendar for this weekend and I am thrilled. I would luv nothing more than to sit and veg all weekend, but that was another lifetime ago. I am already altering a clipboard for a gift(paint coat #1 is drying), and on my 2nd load of laundry.

My lil man is healing well. His tongue is bothering him several times a day, but once the Tylenol kicks in(5-10 minutes) he is good to go for anothre 4-6 hours. He goes back to the surgeon this coming week on Thursday. His snoring is nearly 99% gone, which is fabulous. I think he is sleeping MUCH better which is both good and bad because he has NOT been napping much at all. BOO for Mommy, who enjoyed the hour or so I got from him most afternoons.

I FINALLY got my car back from Aunt Sue yesterday. WOOOOO HOOO. However, that is both good and bad news. She finally got her car back from the accident she had back in Sept. However, her primary doctor and my neuro have both agreed that she can NOT drive until they do some further tests. There is a possibility that she might have had a seizure of some type, causing the accident. I am so happy that she FINALLY went to the doctor. She would rather live in denial most of the time than deal with certain things. I adore my aunt(she IS my mom and Joshys' grandma) but oh is she thick headed. Hmm, wonder if that runs in the TINSKY genes. HA.
Anyway, hoping that there was nothing that caused the accident because her license being suspended for 6 months WILL send her over the top. However, I will add chauffer to my job description if necessary as there are three people in her household, all with health issues and NONE of whom can presently drive. Glad that I am here and will be able to pitch in if I need to.

Okay, off to paint coat #2. Have a GREAT Saturday and enjoy the brief moments of "cooler" Tpa temps.
Jackie

I just had to share.

So, I had a pretty crappy day yesterday. We all have em, I know. I do not care for having to work for 12 hours and do report card pick up. It is just exhausting and whoever scheduled it for the day after Halloween, needs to NOT be on the calendar committee at our school anymore.
Okay, so I get home at 9pm last night and I am going thru a HUGE pile of mail. Most of it is JUNK. However, there were two things that truly brought a smile to my face.One, I received a $250 check donation to TEAM DURNING and a sheet for MATCHING FUNDS. How cool is that?! PLEASE PLEASE check to see if your company participates in such a program. THANX BUNCHES.
The second great piece of mail was NOT the letter telling me that I had forgotten to pay my HOA dues. OOPS. Too much going on the last few weesk and it just slipped my mind....But, it was a FED EX envie addressed to me.Inside was a very nice letter congratulating me on being selected for the MS PERPETUAL IDEALIST award that my dh had nominated me for.
I will accept my award in Celebration, FL on Nov. 10th at the NMSS Annual Meeting.Thank you all for letting me share my glory for a moment.
Proudly,
Jackie