Pain Pain Go Away

Why yes she has on 2 kitty shirts and matching pants.  She got chilly and made her grandpa put on the t-shirt she took out of her own diaper bag.

Last night's fortune.  I think my local restaurant is worried about my love life.

I had my nerve test today and everything is normal.  This is great news but provides even less in regards to answers about why my arm always hurts.  I'm hoping my doctor calls tomorrow with a follow up plan.  I can't take this too much longer, chronic pain is not my thing.  I'm starting to get scary depressed and only want to eat for comfort.  I'm forcing myself to be social and to keep working out but this motivation won't last too long.  I know my cycle.  Here's to happy thoughts and a reasonable explanation to my pain.

Celebrations!

CHHHHEEEEESSSSSEEEEE!!!!

We were singing to them, hence Sara's cutest face!

Sheer bliss over auntie's present

After everyone left and the new toys were put away we had some music time.  

I was teaching them how to salsa.  

Saturday Baking Day

If you let BooBoo play with your phone she will take 47 selfies in 4 min.  These are the highlights!

Half of the cupcakes for tomorrow.  The chocolate ones are brown, how boring!

Today was a great day for baking.  Cold rainy and horribly unseasonable.  Overall I was in my element however now I'm paying for it.  My hand is throbbing and I want to chop it off.  Totally worth it to see people enjoy what I've made.  For sure not my best effort in decorating but they'll taste delish!  Presents are all wrapped up and in the car too.  Cannot wait to see my kiddos tomorrow!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my favorite Twins!

2 days old

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

They just keep getting better and better.  I cannot wait to make them cupcakes tomorrow and celebrate on Sunday afternoon.  This year they finally understand what a birthday is and how special their day is.  I can't wait to see what 3 will hold for them.  2 was quite tumultuous so for their Momma's sake I hope 3 is a breeze.  Happiest of Birthdays to my Lil Buddies and Sara Beara!

Angry Strawberry

This child's face pretty much sums up how I've felt the last couple days.

• I had to go to Apple and wipe my hard drive in order to get the new software install.  Now I'm trying to restore everything and not having favorites is making me stabby.
• I was diagnosed with tennis elbow.  I got a cortisone shot which hasn't seemed to help at all. Tomorrow I start physical therapy and I'm banking on that to help.
• In the mean time my hand hurts, a lot!  I did very little computer work today and it's throbbing.  I'm guessing cutting up a huge watermelon wasn't too smart.  Then again I just realized I need to take my pain pill.  Maybe that will help.
• I've been getting some great kudos at work for being in ND and my time in SW MN.  The agent in Windom sent the nicest compliment letter for the 6 of us I've ever read.  She was so kind to all of us, and went out of her way to accommodate all of our craziness.
• My nieces and nephew have been the highlight of the week so far.  They make me laugh so hard.  BooBoo took my sunglasses tonight, put them on and headed towards the door with a bye-eeeeee.  Danyal told me he's going to be 4, not 3.  Just Sara will be 3.  And my sweet Sara told me I'm pretty.  All in all, they make me feel pretty fantastic

ND you aren't winning me over

This is a Cobb salad in ND.  Last time I checked a Cobb salad should have more than 1 kind of lettuce, bacon, egg, and avocado.  Next time I read the description before I order.

Same restaurant, 2 toilets and sinks in a bathroom with 1 door and a lock.  Is my ass so big I need two toilets?  I'm so confused.  So far I'm not planning a return trip unless mandated for work.

No, just NO Dakota

This is where I'm staying.  It's honest to goodness called the Wagon Wheel Inn! The nicer Americinn is full due to a wedding in town.  In my 10 yrs of travel this is the FIRST time I've ever stayed in a motel, aka door to the outside, not a hallway.  The room isn't that bad, it's stinky and the wall unit AC isn't really keeping up in the 95 degree heat, but I'm kinda cool and all my stuff should be safe for the 5 days I'm here.  Plus the guy I'm helping is so far behind I won't be here very much at all.

Bad sister

 Love this photo oh so much!

I feel like a bad sister tonight.  I'm going to ND tomorrow for work and am forgoing family photos for the opportunity.  My sis said she doesn't mind but I still feel bad.  I know the goal is to capture the cuteness of BooBoo, not me.  I've offered to pay for the next session and I'll try really hard to not be working.  Guilt is not pretty on me.

While I was stuck in traffic tonight I think everyone called me.  Which helped it go by much faster, but it still took nearly 2 hours to get home.  Clint called just to talk about himself which is getting really old.  I had to talk over him to get anything in about myself.  I still don't think he realizes I'm going to ND tomorrow for a great training gig.  He's so concerned about people liking him and telling him he has pretty eyes that nothing else matters.  

I'm starting to fear I may be doing this to myself intentionally.  When he starts to whine about a long day, or how tough something is, I constantly remind him it's his job and that it's not easy.  I know I put my job first all the time, but he doesn't.  He doesn't have the work ethic that I do.  His is great but he wants limits.  I just give all I have until, well, I end up with 10 yrs down the toilet.  These subtle differences make our visions of being busy and accomplished two very different ideas.  He wants congratulations and I want him to quit whining and accept what his job is.  I want him to work as hard as I do and realize there isn't an atta boy for every little thing.  For only a 7 year age difference the generation gap is really starting to show.

Now I'm going to go finish laundry and pack.  For only 5 days I sure find a lot of things I HAVE to have with me.

Getting it all out

He'll make a great royal some day.  He's got that wave down pat!

Chillaxin!  This baby girl has it down!

Who's this happy in the morning!?

It's a list kinda day.  My brain is a mish mash of a lot of things.

• a coworker of mine has stage 4 lymphoma, unknown what kind as his biopsies aren't back yet.  But it's terrifying and scary, he has 2 young daughters and I'd hate for them not to have their daddy.  They are his whole world and I cannot shake my worry for him.  I'm not a faith based person but I've been sending up prayers, happy thoughts and good juju down to TX for him.
• My hand hurts almost all the time now.  I really think I'd been ignoring it for a while.  The worst part is no relief until the darn nerve test in a month.
• Sissy and I are going to Chicago for a girls weekend.  I have enough points to get us a basic room at The Drake!  It's gonna be so much fun, and I end the weekend with my co-workers baby shower at a super swanky elite country club.  I have to wear a dress it's so swanky.
• My boss deployed me 3 times today, the last one is a keeper for now.  I get to work drain back ups in the south metro.  Yay for more time at home.  Also the first day back from vacation is tough.  I was productive, but, man, there are things I don't like about my job!
• We have family photos on Saturday and I have no clue what to wear.  I hope my sister tells me.  The last time the entire family had photos was when I was 14!!!!  That's 21 years ago.
• I made the Amish noodles that have been on Pinterest.  Not worth it.  Achieve the same effect by using half water and half broth, boil for the normal time then slap some butter on top.  30 min is too long for meh noodles!
• I went for a nice long walk tonight.  So much for having cute summer toes, time to chop off my toes nails and build my calluses back.  I only have 2 blisters this time.
• I've revised my next weight loss goals.  I wasn't horrible about my 4th of July goals, but I fell short.  I have until my birthday to make my next set.  I'm going to San Padre and want all my cute clothes I'm wearing now to be big.
• Debbie downer texted on 4th of July.  DUH-LETE!
• The ex called me on Friday night, IG-NORE!
• Fun Fest was fun.  It was loud, or I'm just showing my age, but we had fun.
• Now it's time to catch up on Royal Pains.  I'm a whole month behind!  How did I not know it had come back on?

I see the light

I finally had my new doors installed today.  SOOO MUCH LIGHT!  I feel like I have a new living room and my new carpet looks amazing!  You can even tell it's grey.  I'm Happy Happy Happy with this decision.  And the installer was a fellow graduate of my high school so he fixed up a couple other things for me too.  I love small town living for little things like that.

Chevron nails are hard y'all!  Cute, but HARD!

I also made a new crock pot recipe found here, hawaiian meatballs.  Thank you pinterest for a new favorite.  I would recommend adding a red pepper too, there's a lot of sauce and meatballs and not enough other stuff.  I had mine over brown rice and it was a fantastic lunch.  I even screwed up and forgot to add the brown sugar until my 4 hours were over.  Still turned out just fine!

Tonight I had dinner with Team Ingram and my Boo was just too funny.  I bought her a new blankie and she completely rejected it and brought me the other ratty 2 she has.  I'm sure once it's washed she'll accept it and mommy can get rid of the one that feels almost crunchy!  I also need to stop sitting by her during meals.  She only wants what's on my plate and tonight I lost out on a jojo!  It's a good thing she gave me lots of hugs and kisses.

I'm crafty and I know it.

Today was a fun filled day for me.  After spending a couple hours getting my car tuned up I headed home and embarked on all things fun.  I finished up a hilarious book, Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster.  If you don't know who she is, we may not be able to go on being friends.  Her books read like my sister and I were co-writers.  Simply entertaining!

After that I made burp cloths for my prego co-worker.  Her shower is a month away but I knew if I didn't get them done this week I'd never have enough time.  It's not the sewing that's labor intensive but all the ironing of edges so they lay flat!  I hope this is the last time I need to make them for a while.  I went overboard and have some extra's stashed away.

I had a lovely doctor's appt in which I need to file a worker's comp claim.  I've been having some pain and numbness in my right hand and the doc believes it's because of the way I've modified carrying my ladder.  Look people, it's heavy, the old way was hurting my back, so I thought I have good arm strength why not carry it on my forearm.  Easy Peasy and my arm never hurt nor did my back.  Turns out I may have ended up overcompensating and now I have to have a nerve test and have a weight restriction for my right arm.  Given all this my doctor doesn't think I should be working, yeah she can tell my boss that news for me!

After that lovely news I came home and made my own version of a Bic Band or Sweaty Band headband.  The trick is pick cute ribbon then sew a piece of velvet ribbon to the underside so the velvet will be what touches your hair.  Then attach some elastic and you are good to go.  Mine are skinny and ended up being hand sewn, so lesson learned.  The lace is just stretchy lace that I used my machine to sew together.  I saw a similar style for $20 a couple weeks ago.  I paid less than $2 for a whole yard of it!!!  I spent a total of $12 (actually less I think) and have 4 headbands.  (Glitter white is out in the garage because I had to spray it to set the glitter)  I believe I spent $12 for 1 last time I ordered.  Talk about a bargain.  Yay me!

I have a vision

Sometimes I have a vision and it comes to light.  Thanks to Pottery Barn Teen's new bedding collections I love my bed even more.  I purchased some new pillow cases and the small decor pillow cover and it ties my room together even better.  I wish I could have all of the paisley (tucked behind the purple geo print) but PB Teen doesn't make king size bedding or Euro shams.  BOOOOO!

Sometimes as an auntie I have a vision of presents for my kiddos.  Again a big thanks to Pottery Barn Kid for helping some birthday wishes come true.  My baby girl Sara loves her dollies and all things plush so this stroller and high chair will get a ton of use!  My sweet boy has still only asked for cupcakes, so the BFF and I have conspired on a kids soccer ball and some new books.  That boy loves books!!

Tonight was a great night out.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the beards and everything else that comes with being on the NE side of MPLS.  Good times had by all, my face hurts from smiling and my throat is hoarse from laughs.  I finally got in my Amazon purchases so in between my car and doc appt tomorrow I'll be crafting some burp cloths and new headbands for myself.  I love being on staycation!

Not so nice

Downward facing dog?  NAILED IT!

Boo does this all the time and then yells HI at you with a huge smile.

I've started having weird dreams again and I suspect it's because of my craptastic diet lately.  Last week it was any variety of something on a boat.  Nothing scary, but I was frequently having to save things.  The last night of vacation and a dinner full of fried things and sugar I dreamt I was on the front of the boat and had to save all the phone chargers from the lily pads.  Last night I couldn't get back on the boat, and my dad yelled at me for not swimming correctly.  Very very odd.  I'm sure tonight will be no exception.

Today was a very busy day.  I ran a ton of errands and have determined MN nice doesn't exist.  People were ugly inside and out!  The nicest person was the lady who helped me pick out new bras.  She was nice!

Clint really worked my nerves too.  He called me 4 times, I only answered 3 and 1 text back.  He's being a whiney little bitch because of work.  Now imagine this, he works on the catastrophe team and there's a catastrophe, and he's licensed to work in Canada.  So guess what?  He has to go to Canada and give up his cush stupid gig in NE.  I'm so frustrated because shit like that always happened to me.  1.5 yrs on the job and he somehow thought he was immune from it.  The BEST part is he never once asked about me, my vacation, or what I was even doing today.  Going to Canada is really a good thing for him but he cannot see it.  I'm hoping his 2 day drive gives him perspective.  I know I'll be utilizing my call decline button frequently.  OVER IT!  

Plus I have better things to do.  Tomorrow is a Duck Dynasty Beard Contest at Psycho Suzi's.  This combines a whole lotta things I love and my Sue-Bee is going too.  I'm so super duper excited.  Fingers crossed for only shenanigans of the good kind.

I'm super obsessed with this Craftsman tool box.  It would perfectly hold all my crafting supplies and it would be so much easier to access than the plastic drawers from hell I currently have.  I looked at it while at MOA today but didn't pull the trigger.  I may have to order it and have it sent to a local store for pick up.  I could be super duper organized!

Back from the Lake, but not off vacation

How cute is this teeny tiny sunfish.  It was by far the smallest caught all week and it makes me laugh.  My dad has big hands, but this lil dude was seriously wee in size!

Me and sissy on a paddle boat, this is approximately 5 min before my phone falls into the lake.  Yep iphone in lake!  Thank goodness I have a good case (heavens bless the wonderfulness of Kate Spade)!  My phone still works, but unfortunately the paddle boat didn't, we had to use actual paddles to move.

BooBoo and Team Ingram left a day early and got DQ on the way home.  Someone loves her some ice cream.  Auntie was not so lucky and I got to listen to my dad bitch about bad drivers all the way home.

Once I rest up I'll be back with a re-cap of our week.  I can tell you we loved it so much we've booked a bigger better cabin for next year.  I am the most relaxed I've been in years and it's a glorious feeling.  Next week I'm still on vacation but I have a huge to-do list to accomplish.  This includes some photos, more posts, studying, errands and hopefully getting my new doors installed.  I'm off to bed pretty early, I dreamt last night I was on the front of the pontoon and I had to fish all the cell phone chargers out of the lily pads.  Yeah, so weird!