Invasion of the XBox snatchers

As you know, (I say to the 6 people that read this blog), we were burgled yesterday. Burgled, not robbed, because breaking and entering was involved, as the below pictures show.

They came in the front door around noon, in broad daylight. They went to the living room and snagged Stephen's XBox 360:

As you can see, he thought it was necessary to rip up our entertainment center. Thanks a lot, guy, we paid 30 bucks for that! Then he went upstairs to where he thought our master bedroom was, and trashed it:

I am actually a little tickled that he went into this room expecting something. He opened all the drawers to find emptiness. He opened the closet to find a big stuffed Scooby-Doo dog (which he left, for some reason). He pulled off the comforter to find that we don't even keep sheets on that bed. That makes me smile a little inside. He then went through the guest bathroom (leaving all my valuable hotel shampoos and tampons) and then into our office. Our office is where he stole Stephen's 6-year-old, 10-pound laptop and some of his guns that we hadn't yet put into the gun safe. I was sort of hoping that he would steal my computer in that office, because it's Windows ME, Internet Explorer doesn't even work on it, and neither does My Computer. As we were waiting for the police to show up and clear the house, I began hoping more and more that he had taken it. I wasn't surprised though, that it was left. It's quite bulky.

I have some other pictures but that's all I have here at work. So, everything that was stolen was Stephen's. I haven't figured out yet if I'm relieved or offended. I mean, I realize most of my jewelry is fake and from Claire's. And my CDs are all burned, not the real copies. But, come on, didn't they see the movie Elf just sitting in the middle of our living room? Or our coupons for Giovanni's? I would really have loved to see the look on this guy's face when he came into our house. I don't know what he was expecting, but it probably wasn't all that JUNK!

The important thing is that we weren't home, Josh and Jenn weren't staying with us, nothing was damaged except the door, and we have serial numbers on all the guns that got gone. The bad thing is that our insurance won't cover about $7000 worth of the stuff that got gone, so unless we recover it, we're out of luck. But I count myself lucky. No one was hurt, nothing personal got gone that's irreplaceable, and we slept soundly last night.

We joked early in the week at Ladies Group about those of us who were baptized Sunday night - we've all had awful weeks since then. I'm convinced the devil's on my back, trying to get me aggravated, so I'm taking pride in being calm with everything that's gone wrong since Monday.

Plus, Stephen said it's kind of our fault - we DO have a welcome mat at our front door. Haha!

I service society by rocking.

This is turning out to be quite a busy summer! I hope tonight will be spent in pajamas watching TV that will rot my brain. I would love a night like that. Saturday, Josh left to go back to Georgia. We tried to hit some yard sales before he left but we only got to two. We'll try again next time. Then I worked for a couple of hours, went home, did some yard work, and then Stephen and I had our first date alone in weeks. Stephen wanted to be in bed by 8, but he didn't get there until a little after 9. That's still pretty good.

Sunday night, Stephen and I, along with a few others at church, were baptized at Jean's pool. It felt so good after standing in the hot sun! Of course, I didn't get baptized for the coolness of the water, but it was a nice benefit. Last night I had Ladies' meeting at church, and we had Christmas in July. I only had a day to get something, so I got a book out of my yard sale box and wrapped it up. I got a candy dish with doves on it that Lora brought.

I don't think we have any plans tonight. The rest of our week is filled up with stuff, but it's very exciting stuff that I'm so ready to do! Tomorrow night is youth group, which we haven't had for two weeks because of VBS and 4th of July. Thursday night Stephen and I are going climbing so I can get my belay certification. Friday night we're doing dinner with Jenn and Matt, who we haven't seen in ages. Saturday morning we're golfing, Saturday afternoon we're rock climbing with the youth group, and Saturday night we're watching the UFC fight from last week. Sunday we have a date with Betty and Steve for cards. Then Stephen goes back to work. He probably won't feel like he has any time off.

Today at work, one of the kids that stays here (one of my coworker's kids) pulled her tooth. Four of the kids piled into the bathroom, yelling, laughing, and getting sick at the sight of blood. Turns out her bark was worse than her bite and she couldn't finish the job. Renee (who turns out to be kind of tough) helped her along. It was a molar, so there was lots of blood. Ugh. I'll leave that up to Stephen when we have kids. Having kids here makes me wonder how I'll handle living with them, because they're making me feel a bit crazy. And dizzy.

Winding Down?

I was hoping this week would be a winding down week. So far it hasn't been, but I kind of made up for it by being a lazy slob all day today. Last week was super busy because of VBS every night. Then Saturday, we switched out siblings and sadly waved goodbye to Jennifer Kl. but said salutations to Joshie. Monday night we took our annual trip to South of the Border (Jabs, really - they're much cheaper) with Steve, Aaron, and Josh. We have so much fun shopping for fireworks. Mainly because we're really dorky about it. Stephen and I have an Excel spreadsheet of all the fireworks we've bought, how much they cost (that was my idea years ago but now I don't really know why it matters if their price is raised or lowered), and our rating from 1-4 stars (based on prettiness, loudness and lasting power.) I absolutely love doing it.

Last night we went wall climbing again. Lauren T and Lauren H came as well. It was so much fun. Not rushed like last week because we went on my lunch break. Last night we were able to stay almost 3 hours and just do whatever. This wall is four different walls with several different trails on all of those walls. There is one "easy" which is straight up, another straight but much harder, one that stairsteps, and one that inverts. The inverted one is kind of the one you're out to conquer, because you know it's the hardest one. Well, I am proud to say that I got it on my very first try! I had done it about 3 or 4 years ago, but it took me several tries over several weeks. I think it's safe to say I'm much stronger now than I was then. Anyway, we had a really good time, and we'll be back out there next Saturday with a lot more people.

Today I went to lunch with mom and dad. I made hamburger vegetable soup and it was flat out delicious. Also, so were mom's sides of cheese toast, M&M cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies. I didn't want to do anything after eating but lay around and rest up for eating more later. But we ended up playing cards and I won, of course. All in all, a very good day because I was also able to do some housework, clean out some boxes from our move, and watch a Lifetime movie. Awesome!! I'm off now, going to Steve's tonight for the July 4 festivities. It will be a huge cookout with a huge bonfire, great people, and a multitude of fireworks. I can't wait!

BONK! Pt. 2

Don't forget to read the other post that goes with this one. It shouldn't be too hard to find... This post is about AFTER White Lake. Corky, Josh and Jenn got in today about 20 minutes after I got home from the lake and Stephen got home from work. We had just a bit of down time, and then it was off to VBS kickoff! It started off pretty slow but ended with a bang! Well, actually, lots of bangs. Water balloon bangs, that is. Stephen pretty much dominated the dunking booth, and I somehow got talked into doing the sponge toss (being the one who is tossed ON) and we all were in on the water balloon wars. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

The water for the dunking booth. GROSS!!

See, the kids have really good aim!

Kimberly devoured her orange cupcake!

Well, those are the cutest pictures I could find. For full albums, check on facebook! Or, if you're not able to get on facebook (like mom and dad), I'll show you all the pictures some other time. Gotta go - UFC Season 5 Finale is on!! Go Pulver!

BONK!

I'm dividing this weekend into two different posts because there's such cute pictures from each big event. I'll start with White Lake because it was the longest ago. Friday I left work early to drive down to White Lake to meet Jenn C. and company. When I got there in the afternoon, it was cooling off and everyone was ready to come in from the lake. So we ate dinner at Jenn's mom and dad's, with like 10 other people from her family. Then Jenn, Diana, Lindsey and I went to play 25 cent Bingo. I lost $3 on that junk! It was so much fun. It was definitely competitive. Jenn won once and got a slinky for Zoe. Then we went to play putt-putt (all of this was within 75 yards of our hotel) and I almost won with my mad putt-putting skills. But Diana is a real golfer, and she whupped us. After that, we went and got blizzards from DQ, and then strolled back over to Jenn's mom and dad's to hang out for a little bit. This morning we got up early for breakfast and to go to the gift shop, and were on the beach by about 9. It was cloudy up until that time, so we were in no hurry. That's pretty much what we did from 9-1 except take a break for lunch. Just walked the pier, played with Zoe, hung out with everyone, and laid out. So much fun! So here are the pictures that go with Friday night and Saturday day:

Okay, I know almost all of those pictures are of Zoe, but isn't she just too precious!? The last picture is Jenn's stepfather Gene, in a rainbow hat that says, "Let's Face It - I'm Cute". It's Zoe's. He's hilarious. Alright, let's see if I can get these other pictures/post up from the rest of tonight. I'm also trying to watch the UFC fight with Jenn Klann, Josh, Stephen, and Corky. So I shall return!

Next on the list...

A stressful, yet exciting, week lies ahead. I am totally stressing about all I have to do, but I can't really worry because I know it's going to be so much fun. It all starts tomorrow, when I leave from work to go to White Lake (see above picture.) I'm going with Jenn C. and all the girls from her family and some other girl friends. Unfortunately, I can only go for tomorrow and Saturday day, but it will still be a BLAST! Once I get back on Saturday, I immediately have to start cooking for VBS kickoff Saturday night. Also, Jennifer K. comes in on Saturday to begin her week-long stay with us. So, Saturday will consist of partying down at the lake, partying down at church for VBS, and then partying down at home that night with CK, Jenn K. and Josh. Sunday will consist of church, and then VBS. Stephen and I are teaching that night, about the parting of the Red Sea. I'm trying to think of some way to incorporate whipped cream into the lesson. Monday night we're teaching music, and then one night is snacks, one night is games, and one night is crafts. The big finale is Friday night, for all the parents. Our VBS theme is Water Works and the kids are supposed to bring a change of clothes and towels every night for our water balloon fights, hose-downs, sponge tosses, and anything else we might come up with. I'll have to go straight from work every night with Emma and Jessie, and so I'll be gone from home for approximately 15 hours every day. It seems like I'm gone that much every day, but I'm not. So hopefully I won't be too overwhelmed. Next Saturday, after VBS is done, Jenn K. will go home to Georgia, and Josh will be with us until the next Saturday. If I can just make it through these next two weeks, I'll be golden! It would also be lovely if I could catch up on some chores around the house. But that's a whole different saga...

It's a boy? That means I just lost 20 bucks.

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I last got jiggy with my blog. Where in the world does the time go? Of course, all last week I was a day off, so I thought I was closer to the weekend than I actually was all week long. Last week was one of the best lunch weeks I've ever had. Monday I ate at Granny's which is always incredibly tasty. Tuesday I ate out with Tim and Renee at San Felipe. It is so so good. Wednesday I ate black bean soup and banana sandwiches with mom. Thursday I ate at 195 with mom, dad, Liz and Charlie, which is only my favorite restaurant, and several of my favorite people. Today I'm eating lunch with Stephen because he has the day off and working with Jesse, so they'll be near Aberdeen.

This weekend was such a blast! Saturday morning Stephen and I got up at 6:15 to start our yard-saling process. We ended up getting some great deals on some awesome books, a new (to us) mattress/box spring/railings for $10, a new game for $2, and a few hours of quality time riding around together (except for that one fight we got in but I blame Mapquest. We forgave each other, but not the directions.) We felt very accomplished when we got home. Then I went to Grace's baby shower with mom and Jenn. I came out smelling like roses - free meal and free flowers! It was fun. And on that same day, LB had her baby - Ava Rose! So, that's awesome.

That night, we had a UFC party gathering small turnout. Steve came over with lasagna and cards. We played a game after dinner, then watched an episode of Criss Angel, and then watched the Big Fight. I posted my picks of winners beside the TV, and annoyingly rattled my paper everytime I got one right. I got almost all right - woot woot!

Sunday was fun too. It was Stephen's first Sunday singing in the church choir. I'm so proud of him for stepping out of his box! He even came up with a song he wants to do at church with me, Drew, and Jamie. It would sound really good with the four of us. We ate lunch with dad for Father's Day (KFC - yum!) For dinner, we went to Steve's. He cooked ginormous steaks and we watched Deja Vu. You MUST rent this movie. Tonight. Immediately! That is mainly aimed toward Dad, Jenn and Matt. Ask me for more details if you are unsure if you'd like it.

Today I took a couple of hours off of work to go with Jennifer Coggins to her ultrasound. It was my first time and it was so much fun! She found out today that she's having a boy. That's what her husband was hoping for, so I bet he's happy. That means I inherit all her girl clothes! Yay for cheapness!!

Be a thinker, not a stinker.

I kept putting off updating this, because I had pictures to post. I've decided now that if I keep putting it off, this blog will go under as so many have before. I must explain why posting pictures on here is such a chore. My camera software is on the computer downstairs. My main computer upstairs is Windows ME, and if you know anything, you know ME means trouble. It can't handle the software. So. I have to upload my pictures to the computer downstairs, put those pictures to my flash drive, and then upload them from there to my computer upstairs (the one connected to the internet.) So it's kind of a hassle. I have a couple of pictures from the weekend, though. Friday night I walked in from work, and my lovely hubby was heating up the charcoal from our new (free) grill. He surprised me with steaks and corn on the cob. I loved it, mainly because I knew the neighbors could smell it, and it made me happy to know that they were jealous of us for about 10 minutes. That's how I used to be whenever I smelled other grillers. Okay, I still am.

Saturday morning we got up to go to yard sales. We got some great deals, and then headed over to Lowe's to spend the money we saved from buying at yard sales instead of stores. We went landscaping shopping. We got two beautiful hanging baskets and a pink hydrangea bush. As soon as we got home Stephen began planting and I began stew beef in the crockpot. Our whole day was spent back and forth outside - gazing lovingly at our new flowers, cleaning out boxes from the garage - and then back to inside, where we'd watch bits of TV shows we taped and smell the stew beef permeate the air. Jenn called me in the afternoon to see if they could come over, which excited me. It was nice to laze around and just chat, and watch Daniel Tosh's stand-up act, and eat cheesecake.

Sunday Well, as I was updating this on Tuesday, June 12, we had such a bad storm at work that the power went down. Well, after parts of our building were hit by lightning of course. I have no clue what I was going to say about Sunday. Yesterday I went to Blockbuster because we had a free movie, and it turned out I had a credit on my account so we got two movies for $0.52. Now THAT'S a bargain. We got Hannibal Rising and Deja Vu. (My picks.) We watched part of Hannibal Rising last night. It was more boring than I expected thus far.

I started this new application on Facebook. It's called iRead, and you list every book you've read, are reading, and want to read. I am way too addicted to it already. It's made me want to put a book list on here, like Jenn has on her blog. If I have time today I'll do that.

Today I'm eating lunch with mom and I'm quite excited. Tim, Renee and I ate at San Felipe yesterday and it was just incredible. But lunches with mom are great because we try new things often, or have foods I haven't had in a long time (like toasted cheese). I'm getting hungry thinking about it.

Cake and cookies and ice cream, oh my!

I am stealing borrowing copying Jenn's picture from the Memorial Day cookout because I don't have any pictures from last night's party yet. Maria and Laura took tons of pictures so hopefully I'll have some soon. I, of course, forgot my camera. I hate that, because I absolutely love taking pictures of everything. We had a party for our graduate last night at church. We had cake, cookies, ice cream, sugary drinks, and chips. And then after our lesson played kickball. Needless to say when we got home last night both Stephen and I were feeling slightly sick. And I didn't even win kickball, so it was all for naught. We pretty much decided last night to go rock climbing with the youth group. Stephen and I are certified and we can go to the place in Aberdeen, where we know Joel who runs the place. And it's really cool - they have an inverted wall that is SO dang tough to get over.

I went back to my Doublewide Doctor today for my annual. I wanted to take a picture of the doublewide in all its run-down glory, but then Stephen reminded me I could be arrested for taking pictures on an Air Force Base. It's not really worth it, I suppose.

This will be our first weekend in the house with Stephen off work. I may even skip yard sales on Saturday to lay around with him and do nothing. Well... depends on how good they are this weekend. Tomorrow I'm lunching with mom. I'm making a new recipe of mine - tomato basil soup. It looks very yummy so I'm excited about it! I just love cooking new recipes. If only groceries weren't so expensive. I'm becoming a coupon clipping, sales paper snatching maniac. Well, better that than just a maniac.

There went Bambi

Tonight was the first night I've been able to cook a full meal at our new house. I know, that's awful. Stephen had to work 14 hours today so I wanted to make him something really special, one of his favorite meals. So we had venison cube steak and little green peas for dinner. It was totally yummy! And messy, as you can see from the above picture. Then we decided to take some time to relax and watch some of the shows we've been saving up. We watched about 20 minutes of Larry the Cable Guy, who is really not funny to me. Stephen's in bed right now, so I'm going to hurry this along so I can get some sleep too. I just wanted to make note of what he did last night.

(Setting: In bed, I'm reading and he's been asleep for about an hour. He begins to stir...)

Stephen: Where is the thing to drain the pillowcase?
Me: (looking utterly confused) What??
Stephen: (stands up, starts shaking his pillow and plumping it) You know, when you do the pillow with the pillowcase and you drain it?
Me: What in the world are you talking about?
Stephen: (frustrated, almost yelling) You drain the pillowcase in the toilet!

I sit there, mouth open, wondering what in the world he's talking about, when he drops his pillow and walks out of the bedroom. He comes back in about 30 seconds, laughs, and says, "I'm sorry, I was really out of it for a minute there."

Turns out he was having some crazy dream and didn't really wake up till he walked out of the bedroom. I couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes because of the looks on his face during this episode. This morning he had to ask me about it again because he couldn't remember what happened. That's one reason why I loved living with Keely - stuff like that happened ALL THE TIME. EVERY NIGHT. So hilarious.