Well, I once again volunteered to be the grown-up Daisy Scout helper at Katrina’s Girl Scout meeting this week. Since it was only a day after her Birthday, we took cupcakes for her snack. It was funny, because I practically missed the meeting, since Mary, their troop leader put me “to work” the whole time we were there – it was fun, though! 😉 The girls had each earned 2 petal-shaped badges, to add to their tunics, around the daisy center one they had already received. So, rather than send each of them home with 2 loose badges, that could potentially get lost, we decided to go ahead & iron them on for them. That mostly wound up being “my job”, which I surprisingly did ok at. Again, I’m not big on ironing, nor do I think I’m that great at it, but the tunics all turned out well & thankfully, very uniform to one another, so no one could complain… When the meeting was over & the other mothers came to pick up their daughters, they all seemed happy & showed gratitude for us having gone ahead & attached the badges. Now, I just need to sew the one Kat got for fishing last weekend on the back of her own tunic (it’s not an “iron-on”, unfortunately) & she’ll be set! As much as I hate to admit it, I think I’m finally getting the hang of this stuff! 🙂

My Mom took me out today, for lunch & some shopping. We had been trying to get together to hang out, since my Birthday, but our schedules just kept being a bit “off” from each other. I’m so glad it finally worked out, though! We had a really great time! Even though I did the driving, I say that she took me out, because she treated me to a wonderful lunch at the Delta Café. We even split a dessert at the end of the meal! The shopping we did was mostly “a bust”, because I was looking to purchase some new tops (t-shirts, etc.) for myself, but couldn’t seem to find any that fit me “just right”. But, I was able to help her pick out & buy Katrina’s Birthday gift & that was good. She’d already had an idea of what she wanted to get, it was just a matter of picking out size, color, etc. And, I also got some scrapbooking supplies, which is always nice. It was so much fun, browsing through stores that we typically can’t take strollers in & comfortably fit down their aisles & such. And, my Mom & I enjoy the same types of shops, too, so that’s a plus! I had a great time & enjoyed the leisure & the company! It was a wonderful, extra “belated Birthday” outing! Thanks again, Mom! 🙂

So, my family got my Birthday present & although it was a tiny bit belated, it’s still much appreciated! They bought me a new CD & MP3 player for my car. The reason it had to be given to me a little late was basically that what I wanted was not necessarily made to be installed in the kind of car I drive. I won’t go into major detail, but it’s a new, higher-end JVC system & I drive a Kia Sedona minivan! Ha-ha! So, the problem Jeremy kept running into was that no one in town had the mounting kit, because not many people who drive the type of car I do are interested in that particular stereo: we’re pretty “unique”, if you will… 😉 But, thankfully, he was able to find a place that would order the part we needed. Once the part came in, he took it up to our local Circuit City & had it installed. He & the girls surprised me by taking care of all of that on Saturday, while I slept in & then, went shopping. I kinda’ knew they were going out, but it was still nice to come home to & also to have the “quiet time” to myself, for a few hours. That was like an extra gift, in itself. And, we all went out together that evening, so I could enjoy the new system, too! I sure feel spoiled, sometimes!

Jeremy took me to see a Christian Rock concert this past Friday. Two artists I’d been looking forward to hearing live were here, in town! His getting the tickets & setting up babysitting was a kind of celebratory thing, for my Birthday, which was just a few days prior… We also got to go out & have some Italian food for dinner, my favorite! 😉 While at the concert, I couldn’t help but notice how each of the artists (there were actually three, in all) seemed like very “down to earth”, “everyday” kind of people. They all had some wonderful talents to share: not only vocals, but every one of them played 1 or more instruments, as well. Not only that, but they seemed to recognize the true Source of all their talents. Aaron Shust, the headliner, even made it a point to cast his eyes upward, lift his hands & say, “all for God’s glory” at the end. The entire experience just made me realize once again why Christian music is my absolute favorite! 🙂

I’d been having a hard time deciding on what I wanted for my Birthday. There was only one thing Jeremy & I could remember that I’d wondered about (and that we’ve looked at in stores) previously & that is a better radio/CD player for my car, specifically something that plays MP3s, so I can bring our collection of tunes with me, wherever I go! Well, after going out on Friday evening & picking out “the” one, Jeremy let me sleep in on Saturday morning & took the girls with him to go buy it & have it installed… There was just one problem: none of the stores had a mounting kit for a Kia Sedona in stock. I guess it’s because my car isn’t very “top of the line”, and this stereo is, so the stores don’t purchase the equipment, because we are a rare case, ha-ha! 😉 Thankfully, Jeremy was referred to a place in town that could order the part we need. It’s on the way & should be here in a couple of days, but it looks like my present will be a little “belated”, which is no biggie to me… The store will still install it for us, so it’s all good!

Today was my Birthday & it was a nice one, all in all. I’d been feeling kind of “down” about it, although I’m not really sure why… It may be just that I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m “a grown up” – not that I haven’t been there for a little over a decade, now, but it’s really starting to sink in, I guess. I kept telling people, “it’s just a day”, because it’s not like I *want* to get older, but then again, on the other hand, I’m blessed to have added another year to my life, ya’ know…? And, I do truly feel blessed to have the wonderful family, friends & other loved ones that I do. I got “spoiled” by Jeremy & the girls this year, too. Katrina surprised me in the morning, before I took her to school, with some candy & a card she’d picked out herself! After I dropped her off & drove myself home, I realized that Jeremy had woken up & was taking care of Alyssa! He said, “Go back to bed”, so I did! Two hours later, he woke me up so he, Aly & I could go get some lunch. That evening, we all went out to dinner at Compadre’s – one of my favorite, local Mexican restaurants. And, later on, we enjoyed some mint chocolate chip ice cream pie from Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy! It’s my favorite dessert! So, although I was a little “bummed” going into it, I truly had a wonderful Birthday this year! 🙂

I’ve had some weird experiences this week. I’ve enjoyed things, for the most part, but there was one evening that my stomach didn’t quite agree. When the girls stayed over at their Grandparents’ house, Jeremy & I went to On the Border, a local Mexican restaurant that I don’t think I’d ever been to before. What’s funny is, I got the idea to go there, because they had advertised “endless enchiladas” when we went to the movie theater about a week prior. I love enchiladas so much, that it’s become my “usual”, when ordering at any Mexican restaurant, pretty much, so that sounded great to me! Well, even though I only ate like 2 & ½ total enchiladas (and had the typical sides of refried beans, rice & chips & queso), I guess I ate too much. My stomach didn’t get upset, really… it was just in pain. I felt like I’d eaten a house, or something! It was not pleasant. I’m grateful, in a sense, that I actually didn’t get “sick to my stomach”, but this feeling wasn’t a good one, either. I took some Tums & felt better later on that evening. I boiled it down to a bad bout of indigestion, but after all that, and the fact that the enchiladas tasted only mediocre, in my opinion, at best, I think I’ve sworn off of On the Border, at least for a while… I’ll stick to “tried & true” favorite restaurants, instead!

Okay, now the strangest thing is, my closest family members have begun asking me the question that I’m so indecisive on: What do I want for my Birthday? And, sadly, I really have no clue. Usually, there is something I’ve been looking forward to getting and/or been wondering about if it’s even worth it. At least *some* item would stick out in my mind, so that I’d have an answer, at least *one*, but not this year… I’m totally at a loss, but I kinda’ look at it as a “good dilemma”, because it means that I feel so blessed that there isn’t anything I’m in want of. Of course, I’m typically not in *need* of anything & am so grateful that God has provided me with such wonderful things (including all the non-material ones) in my lifetime. However, to be not “in want” of anything, in particular… now, that is rare. I guess I should be glad… Jeremy & the girls actually have an idea in mind for me, now, at least… I just really wish I knew what to tell everyone else, ya’ know!? 😉

I’ve had a good, then a bad, then a good week, this time around. It’s interesting to me, how God brings things around “full circle” like that, sometimes… Basically, it started out really well. I had a few days where I felt like I was really on top of things & able to get a lot of chores done around here & was just doing wonderfully. I even got something taken care of that I’d wanted to do for quite some time & that was to organize some of the girls’ things. Specifically, I got Alyssa’s closet looking *much* more clean than it has, since she was born, I believe, just by sorting through some of her old clothes, that we recently handed down to our new niece, who is due this May. A good feeling of accomplishment came over me, having had all this done & taken care of.

However, later in the week, I basically “broke down”, due to stress. I was once again drained of all energy & not caring to do much, besides sleep & complain. I’m not sure exactly what had come over me, but I even found myself “snapping” at my family, for things that don’t typically bother me nearly as much. A really good friend of mine even noticed & I asked her to pray for me, since she is someone I know that I can trust. Well, not only her prayer(s), but my own, as well as Jeremy’s must have gotten through, because only 2 days later, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders! It was strange, yet wonderful, all at the same time! It’s not that I was lacking in faith, because I know God will always answer his children & that He causes good things to come to those who love Him. It just amazes me, the speedy timing & the complete way he turned things around, in this instance! He is so good! I pray that in my sharing difficulties, I may provide hope & be a blessing to others, since He has always blessed me (and continues to do so)! 🙂

Let me start out by saying that I’m truly happy Katrina is a Daisy Girl Scout. She is learning new things & has a nice social outlet that will hopefully bring her more self-confidence & prove to be a great experience for her. However, with all of that comes extra responsibility, not just on her part, but on mine, as well! She accidentally ripped a cord off of her Daisy tunic last week – one that ties on the side, to help keep it on her. It’s not really a big deal, but I don’t think I’ve ever been a real “seamstress”. In fact, there aren’t many articles of clothing that I’ve ever had to mend, in my lifetime, fortunately. Thankfully, I was able to hand-sew it back on ok, with just a needle & some thread that we had (a *big* “thank you” to my Mom & Aunt for giving me a sewing kit from my Grandma’s collection of these types of items, by the way – I just so happened to have the *exact* shade of “Daisy tunic blue” thread in there), in time for Kat’s big Ceremony… However, each of the Daisy scouts in her troop just received 4 new, “iron-on” patches that evening. And, if there is one thing I’ve actually done *less* in my lifetime than sewing, you guessed it – it’s ironing! 😉

When it comes to the girls’ clothing, I typically buy their stuff from different stores, as well as one major sale that a couple of friends of mine got me interested in, a few years ago. It’s called “Just Between Friends”, and is basically a huge collection of gently-used clothing, as well as other items for babies & young children (furniture, toys, etc.). They usually have some wonderful bargains, there & they have a couple of their sales events in my local area, twice a year (around the Spring & Fall clothing shopping seasons). Well, I just went to the one in Tulsa this Saturday & was totally bummed out by it… I can typically outfit each of the girls for an entire season off of the selections I find, but this time, it was truly “slim pickin’s” – I only found a handful of outfits for Alyssa & one (yes, 1) dress for Katrina – that’s it! I personally think that the sale is getting to be a little too much of a “good thing” for a lot more people, so this is probably the last year I’ll purchase items from it. I’ll just have to be a “bargain hunter” elsewhere, from now on!

Well, things are back to “normal” for me, this week, thankfully! ? Jeremy is home, I got my wedding ring back from the jeweler, all fixed up & shiny from the cleaning, too! Now, if only I could fit more rest in, on a regular basis, I’d be set…

Monday was just a “yucky day”. My allergies were bothering me something terribly. Also, my body ached & my head felt light, nearly all day long. I didn’t have much of an appetite, either, but I still managed to get in regular meals. Luckily, I’m married to a wonderful guy, who is able to work from home, so I kinda’ got “pampered. After lunch, I got to take a nap, which felt much-needed. Then, after dinner, I still felt crummy. So, you guessed it – I got to take another nap! I was worried that I wouldn’t be tired that evening, but I went to bed at a decent hour & woke up this morning feeling much better & completely refreshed. Guess I shouldn’t deprive my body of the sleep it needs at night so often… 😉

I love & hate Helzberg Diamonds. They are the jeweler that we bought our wedding wings from, some 8 plus years ago. They are a great company, no doubt, but sometimes, almost “too great”. When we purchased our rings, they gave us a warranty that stated as long as we bring the rings back to get inspected every 6 months, they would cover any time the stones in mine might get damaged and/or lost completely. Sounds like a good plan, and it really is. However, it can be frustrating at times. We took our rings in earlier this week to get cleaned & inspected, and they found one of my amethysts (yes, I have diamonds AND amethysts in my ring) to be loose. They showed me, it was about to “jump” out of its setting, practically, so they asked if I’d like to have them tighten that setting up, which of course, if I decline, the warranty is no longer valid. So, my only choice is to agree, which would be fine, except that instead of being able to do it right then & there, they have to keep the ring for an entire week, so they can send it in to their “shop”. I’ve been through this once or twice before, so I knew it was no big deal, but it’s still kind of annoying, nonetheless! And, it feels so strange, having a “blank spot” on your finger, where you typically wear your ring 24/7…

Anyway, I also got a pleasant surprise this week. Jeremy went on a business trip for a couple of days & although we called each other several times, I was still missing him terribly. He was sweet enough to keep me up to date & vice versa & he also sent us pictures each night. My Mom agreed to come over & stay & help me watch the girls for those couple of days, which made things a bit easier on me. Well, while Katrina was at school, Alyssa was napping & Mom & I were just hanging out on Monday afternoon, there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I tiptoed up to it & peered through the peephole. There was a woman standing on my porch with flowers! Since the situation seemed “non-threatening”, of course I opened the door. She said, “These are for Jeanette”, and I responded, “That’s me!” She handed the bouquet over & I thanked her & proceeded to read the card. It was a really beautiful arrangement, all purple (my favorite color), in a purple vase, as well! And, it was from none other than the most wonderful husband in the entire world, my “Jer-Bear” (a pet name I call Jeremy a lot of the time)! He knows how to make me happy, even when we can’t be together at that very moment. 🙂