Some Snow Pictures

View from around the house here in PoulsboAnth going down the hill by himself. He LOVES sledding!
Yes that's me making a snow angel...
Little Snowman
Family Photo in the winter wonderland


Well that is a few pictures so far from our visit. Isn't it pretty?

So you Twilight fans will delight in this

I saw a girl today at the store wearing a FORKS High School Sweatshirt! HA HA HA!!! Forks Spartans or something like that....I wanted to take her picture. I was so excited to tell someone. I was with my brother in law ( We were at the Super WalMart) So I told him, but he didn't think it was as cool as I did!
Stupid book... turned me into getting excited like a star struck idiot! Hee Heee!

Well...

In areas around here we got 4-14 inches of snow last night! Indeed I am in winter wonderland! More to come!

I'm Dreaming of a

White Christmas!
We will soon be heading up to Poulsbo, Washington to visit with Ira's brother and his family. It has snowed and will be my first time for a white Christmas! Yeah! It will be our first time taking Anthony on a plane, so wish us luck!!
On another thought... yes Poulsbo is only 2.5 hours from Forks.

Should I or shouldn't I?

Oh one last thing... why does it suddenly smell like burnt chicken feathers in my house? Weird and extremely gross!

So behind in the Times

So I need to make my Christmas background and header...hmmmmmm
Well it will have to wait till later cus I am a million things to do right now... and errands to run.

I think most of us can get a laugh from this

You know you're way into Twilight
when you look at your
husband
and think "Sparkle you fool,
SPARKLE!"

What if...

I was having 10 babies! Then where would I find one of the countdown timers for 10 babies!!
Well here of course!! Yes, this is the creepiest ticker I have ever seen... floating babies... so I was messing around with it when I found it on another blog I visit and discovered that you can put up to TEN babies on there!

So if I ever have a litter... then I am all set!

HA!!

Me

Things you may or may not have known or wanted to know about me

• If I don't get enough sleep, I am quite a grumpy grump
• It must be genetic 'cus my son is the same way... when we both don't have enough sleep then we just grump to each other
• I don't really like bologna, but occasionally I like it on white bread. Plain white bread.
• Today I ate a bologna sandwich
• I had to get some blood work done today, they are testing my liver, cus apparently they think I have cirrhosis or something. My previous lab results were abnormal numbers, and I think it was due to all my hard "drinking" =)
• Today's results said that my liver is fine and I have to OK to go back to the bars
• My blood sugar level is way off, so I may get a lecture about that tomorrow at the doctors
• I can't spell. It has gotten worse these past few years due to the spell check!!! I blame spell check, oh and that I'm not in school anymore
• I like to sleep on my belly or side. I prefer the temperature be really cold. So I can be snuggly in my warm bed, with cold pillows. It reminds me of camping outdoors.
• In college I used to leave the windows open with the head of the bed right under the window. I loved it. I did live on the 2nd floor.
• My husband who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is afraid to leave any windows open while he sleeps, so I can't do that anymore.
• I detest black licorice!!!!!!
• I haven't seen Twilight the Movie yet. How pumped I was for the books to come out, I just haven't gotten pumped for the movie. I have heard mixed reviews so I am laying low on excitement until I see it.
• Sometimes I get frightfully scared to talk/perform in front of people... And my calling in church is to play the organ. I jumped head first into a instrument I don't know how to play, and am trying to learn as I go along.
• I get frustrated easily, so sometimes I want to puke or run away when having to play.
• I don't mind the piano, I love it and am used to it. Something about the organ gets my blood pressure sky high!
• I'm getting used to playing it, and am very proud on my accomplishments. I am attempting it and trying my best. This was a calling I never thought I could do, so I have to give myself some credit..
• I go through phases of shows that I love to watch. Currently it is "friends" reruns. I just love the lightheartedness of it. There is only so much murder/death/drama that I can handle. I love CSI, Bones and the such.... but comedy has been more my thing lately.
• Greys Anatomy has been boring the crap out of me. So much that I fast forward through Izzy/dead lover ghost story lines. And most of the other story lines as well
• And don't get me started on LOST...
• I hate going to the dentist. I hate having my mouth open, and I hate the pain and sounds and smells
• My dentist is my brother, but he shouldn't worry, it goes for ALL dentist and hygienists
• I crave cleanliness and order, but chaos surrounds me and my work space. Weird.
• I pile. I'm a piler of things. I can find everything within that pile too. It's a rare art form.
• I love massages. I need them too.
• I love to read, but haven't have much of the time lately and that saddens me
• I dream of time travel. I hate long drives or trips. I wished I could blink my eyes and get around everywhere quickly.
• If you have read through all this mush then I am amazed!

YAY!!

I finally got it!

What is it??? Something I have been dreaming about forever!!!

The hubsters surprised me with it! Well, he called and told me this line about stopping by the store to get me something... the story went on and on... and I totally bite it.. hook line and sinker.

So he came home with it. I've been playing with it.

We are still all sick-a-roo's. We had a trip planned for this weekend and we don't know yet if we will attempt to try or not.

Wish us luck!

Flu Time is Fun Time

well I think we all know that the flu is NOT fun. Well I was told by the advice nurse that I don't have the flu because that is upper respiratory, I have an intestinal viral infection.

Um yeah whatever, it all sucks. Big time.

Started Friday night with Puke Fest '08 in Anthony's crib. Which then turned into our bed which puking continued till... yesterday morning for him. I then however, took off from where he left off.

Ira came home not feeling well today, and I think he is going to continue the Puke fest onto the next couple days.

Should be fun.


I heard some news today that threw me for a loop. I'm still in shock, excited but still in shock.

EEW GROSS!

So I bet that is what you said when you saw this little baby! Nice huh? With some of you knowing how science orientated I am, I love most creatures especially ugly bugs. And this one I think is one of the ugliest of all, a Potato Bug it is sometimes called, but really known as a Jerusalem Cricket. They are normally not harmful (they can bite), and shy creatures. I was a big angry to find him playing in my son's bathtub. I drew the line there, so I grab some toilet paper and try to capture him to take him outside. I found him hanging on by dear life by his feet onto the paper. I loved the tenacity of the J. cricket so I took some pictures. That a look at how interesting his legs are. They have large mandible and chewing mouth parts, which I discovered he had chewed on Anthony beloved bath toys! A rubber alphabet that sticks to the walls.
After trying to take some cool pics, I released him out into the wild wilderness of my front porch planters. Lots of leaves to eat there, not bath toys!
A few days later I found a dead belly up J. cricket laying near my garage, maybe it was him! But tonight I saw one waddling down the walkway. I think he is just fine. He just better not get back into my bathtub again.
Yes I disinfected the tub and toys... yuck.

Walk Like an Egyption

Or like a toddler learning to walk.....
Or a drunk taking a sobriety test

My Knight in Shining....

Pajamas!!

Thoughts on Veterans Day

Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt

THOUGHTS ON VETERANS DAY

General Douglas MacArthur

It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizers, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the flag, who serves the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag. AMEN.

*****

Heroes
By Jared Jenkins
In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people

Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes

*****

To all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen,

from every era

I Thank You this Veterans Day for your service

~Janell~

Veteran's Day

In honor of all the Veteran's out there in the beautiful land of America,

Thank you!

And especially a huge thank you to my most favorite veteran of all, my dear husband Ira.

I love you!

I hope you have a wonderful day on Tuesday!

So I made this layout! Whew! It had been a while since I did one for my friend. I forgot a lot of the little tips and measurements. So grrrr a few times, but I got it down finally! Yay!

Get out there and....

VOTE!!!

It's today!

YAY!!

Finding Nemo

If you were looking for a clown fish, I found one! On wed we went to our church's Halloween party, which we had fun. He fished for treats for mommy, attempted to toss a bean bag, and had more fun crawling around to see other kids. Today we visited his Auntie MayMee at her work, my dad at his work, the Bargas' and the haunted bus down the street.

It was a day we discovered that he LOVES chocolate frosting AND for the biggest news was that he walked! Pure unassisted steps!!!! Not the kind from couch to couch, but full on steps out in the open! YAY!! It was wonderful to see. We were wondering though if the tail helped as a balance. Hmmmmmmmmmm

Pumpkins on the Loose!

I made these the other day, pretty cute I think! I saw it in a magazine. It called for pumpkin batter so I used yellow cake batter instead. I think kids like that better than pumpkin. I sure did!

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me

The other day I was excitedly killing flies in my kitchen. Anthony was of course underfoot watching all the action of my skills with a fly swatter. I of course get very excited when I get a "one swat one kill" (oh my husband must love my pun from his sniper days). A while later after I hung back up the swatter I went back to dish duty. I hear some racket behind me of Anthony shrieking, I turn around to see him wildly waving the fly swatter in the air screaming in glee. It made me stop and think, was that how I looked to him?

Gary Sinese and Me

Wow! If you ever get a chance to see The Lt. Dan Band I HIGHLY recommend it! This was the second time I got to see them, and it was even better than the first! We met him again earlier in the day to give him a photo of Ira's platoon with a flag, some unit patches in a nice wall arrangement. Two years ago he was given a flag by Ira and Kelly Bargas, for all that he has done and continues to do for the military and their families. This picture goes with the flag.

It was wonderful to see Gary again, and to listen in on a round discussion on theater that he did with some Theater majors at CSU Stanislaus.

Enjoy the pics!

FYI if you don't know who Gary is he is most famous for his roles in CSI NY and as LT Dan in Forrest Gump

Time just keep slipping by...

So my little baby boy now doesn't drink from his bottle (So far these past 6 days!), is learning to walk, has taken a few unassisted steps, and has started saying a few words and sounds.

He's growing up so fast!

If you remembered in my previous post I tried switching his bottle which didn't go too well. I decided to try to give him the Advent sippy cup with juice in it. It worked! I switched between the two for a day, then stopped offering the bottle and only the cup. And he took it each time! Ohhhh it seemed so easy. I'm still waiting for the backlash to come. Hopefully we are off the bottle for good!

Trying to pull a fast one

I've been trying to wean Anthony off of his special needs feeder. This has been a very hard thing to do. He will drink out of a cup, but only in the bathtub. I've tried so many different kinds of cups, sippy cups, everything. I have a cupboard filled with every kind. Nothing is good enough for him. So his infant development teacher says lets try a regular bottle, see if he will use that then move onto a sippy cup from there. So standing in the store I see a yellow bottle that resembles his usual nipple. Hmmm I think maybe he will see the color yellow and at least give it a try?

So as he was sitting eating dinner I put the regular nippled bottle full of milk on his high chair. He was eating away, picked up the bottle as if he was to start to drink, "OH" I think its going to work! He then stops as it gets closer to his face. He looks closely at it for a minute... touches it with his index finger.... then flings it across the room. Nope.

Silly Mommy for thinking that her brilliant idea of deceiving the baby was going to work.

Baby 3 Mom 0

So today was one of THOSE days.

I was bitten on the knee this afternoon. Anthony was discovereing the art of biting my leg, so I tried to change his attention elsewhere. A few minutes later when I was absentmindedly watching Martha whip up a chocolate pie Anthony played on the floor in front of me. My legs were stretched out on the couch in the most relaxing manner. To my surprise I feel this intense pain searing my knee. I scream out loud a resounding "YEOW!!!" I look down to discover my son's face coming back up from my knee with a look of shock at first from the noise I made. The shock was instantly replaced with joy from the reaction I gave him. I try to divert his attention away, but all he does is try to replay that wonderful sound. I check my knee to find that he has broken skin through my jeans! He grabbed a hold of my hand and pulls my finger towards his mouth. I see him open wide getting ready for a good chomping! I quickly pull away and decided that it was the perfect time to try and put him down for his second nap.

Which leads to the next section.

Of course today was the day of the 20 min nap. And only 20 minutes.
After running errands in Modesto, and returning to Turlock, Anth slept on the way home. That was his one and only nap for the day.

Nap Try One: I put him down for a nap. He wails for a minute or two then proceeds to play for a while. I take the time to sightread some new Christmas Solos I purchased today for myself and some of my students. I listen to the on and off again wailing and jabbering from his room. Which is normal. I then hear a while later an intense screaming, so I decided to break protocol and go into his room to investigate. I discovered that he was upset. He points down on the floor of the bedroom to his socks. He pulled off his socks then dropped them onto the ground. So I pick it up and give it back to him. He was happy. I leave and hope he might go to sleep, but nope. I give in... and he wins that round.

He plays for a couple hours, snacks on cheese, milk and eats a large helping of toddler cheese puffs things. They are gross, but he liked them apparently. After the knee biting incident I decide lets try to nap two!

Nap Try Two:
I put him down, he cries and wails his displeasure at me. This is normal which he usually (but not today) will cry himself to sleep, or just play for a while then fall asleep. I hear him doing the intense scream wail which is not normal for him. I check on my video monitor. I see him walking around the edge, so I decided to go in and inspect. I go in to find that he had picked up every stuffed animal friend and blanket and had thrown them out of the crib onto the floor. So he was left deserted and sitting alone in his bed. This is a new behavior for him. I decided he cried long enough and pulled him out.

Baby wins again.

I put him to bed 30 minutes early tonight for his own safety and my sanity. When he doesn't get his nap his is a little bear! He went to sleep like a champ.

Nothing is More Annoying Than...

A Pig that oinks Jingle Bells.

Anthony got this today from his Bama. It sqeauls when you pull it's tail. It sounds just like a real pig too! Of course he loves it, 'cus it sings and moves.

Just like his:

Dancing Turkey that sings Turkey in the Straw and Pink Monkey that sings Jump Jump


He loves them both so much. *sigh*

Pumpkin Fun

Earlier this week Ira, my mom and I took Anthony to the pumpkin patch for some photo ops! After morning with no nap, our little subject really didn't want to have his picture taken. He loved looking at the pumpkins, playing with the straw and crawling around in and out of the pumpkin maze. Of course the sun was bright and I got a million pictures of the top of his head. I was frustrated and wanted to bring him back later to get some more. After playing with my photo shop and messing around I realized I did indeed capture some beautiful pictures. I enjoyed going through and trying to play with my new yet simple program. So let me know what you think?

Here was another couple pics I played with

Ohhh LaLa!

I've been having the biggest cravings for Lemon Cream Pie from Marie Calenders this past week. As we drove by it last night. we decided to keep going on home to my disappointment. We were both tired, and sleep sounded better than pie at that moment.

So tonight I decided to try to make my own!

And the end result....

BIG YUMMY! It was soooo good. I also found some recipes for other fruit pies that I will be trying very soon in the future!

Still alive!

I'm still here. Life has been hectic getting back on track after the chaos of last month. And to top it off we added a day trip to Disneyland! WOOO! I will post a blog about that later with some pics. But we had a super blast, and can't wait to go back real soon.

Funeral Pictures

Here is a link to the pictures of Ira's fathers funeral.
Thank you to all who helped in preperations, food and helping it all go along smoothly.

Hot Dad Alert!

Super Hot Dad found in my picture files!

Lake Tahoe

We were able to spend a little time at the beach in South Lake Tahoe with Tara and Amy before we headed home this past weekend. We had fun soaking up the sun, nibbling on snack food and of course the sand too. Anthony didn't like his feet in the water at first, loved to play in the sand with his Auntie Tara and a cell phone.




Then after he realized they were there, he liked to look at the ducks too.

My Boy and His Toy

I think I am in trouble already.... At least he was wearing his seat belt! I also worry because the Lil man has no fear! He loves the thrill of the rush. The other day the stars aligned for my husband as he took his little man for a ride in the mustang, listening to Van Halen while on a trip to go fishing. The windows were down and he LOVED every minute of it.

Aunt Raid!!!

Even though it was a sad occasion for a family gathering, I had such a BLAST with my sister in laws! I know Anthony enjoyed himself as well. Ira and I both think he was a little depressed after they left because Mom and Dad were so BORING now. I tried to snap a few pictures of the Anthony and Auntie times, and here are the few that I got. Anthony misses you and wants to see you both real soon!

Happy 5th Anniversary!

Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary to my dear hubby Ira. He and his family are going through a tough time right now.

But on a happier thought! We are currently in South Lake Tahoe celebrating a collective 30th birthday/anniversary at a really neat-o rental house. Ira is off fishing for trout, talking with the locals to get the tips and tricks. Silly man I admire how he can befriend someone where ever we go. We had cancelled the trip, but changed our minds this morning. I'm glad we did, It is so beautiful up here.

Thank you to Dan for letting me borrow his laptop and spending some time with me. I enjoyed it very much.

Anyway its time to get dinner going, and hang with my friends as they are back from the lake and BeBe is up from his nap.

Myrick Family Update

Last night we received word that Lewis, Ira's father had a heart attack while during a stay in the hospital. Unfortunately he wasn't there for a heart issue and didn't have monitors on. Doctors do not know how long Lewis had been without oxygen, and after resuscitation he was placed on life support. After gathering of family that could make it in time, my husband, part of his siblings and mother are at his side at this time. The moved him onto Comfort Care where he will be given pain medication, taken off life support and be at his side to help ease him into his next life.


*****UPDATE*****
Lewis Myrick passed away 1245 AM September 10th, 2008

Bed Bugs

Last night I crashed early. During the 9 pm hour! That's just abnormal for me. BeBe who has been sleeping throughout the night decided he wanted some company by screaming and crying hysterically. My husband went and collected him then brought him into our bed. I learned this morning that this happened around 10 pm. Wow. I thought it was 3 in the morning.

Anyway as I digress, he rolls around and hogs the middle of the bed. Sleeps with his head towards the foot of the bed, so his little feet can pummel my head every now and then. He loves to sleep with Mom and Dad, and Dad loves it just as much. I married an early bird, and gave birth to one as well.

What did I do wrong in life to deserve this early morning treatment?

I love to sleep in snuggled into the warm bed linens. They want to play, talk or do anything but sleep.

I want to sleep. They want breakfast or to play with the remote control (that goes for the both of them).

I want to sleep. They say it's time for the day to get started.


Bah....

=(

MzzMyrick

could get into so much trouble driving the mustang. Its pretty fun. And pretty fast.


vrrroooooooommm

Baby Kisses and Hippo Walking

A Christmas present Anthony received was this cool hippo thing where he could push walk, and it can pick up and eat toys. Then when he is older he can sit and ride it around. A couple nights ago out of the blue Anthony surprised us by figuring out on his own that he could walk the hippo around. Of course I taped some of the first videos of it. By the next morning he is the hippo master and pushes the hippo everywhere he can go. My walls and glass doors are taking the brunt of it all. The joy in watching him move his little diaper covered booty is priceless though. Kisses are given frequently in our household. Nothing like the open mouth kiss that babies give. This morning while I was holding him, Anthony planted a big joyful kiss right on my mouth when I was talking to him. What a surprise! Usually I ask him for kisses and if he is willing he will give one. Today was different because he did it all on his own. What a moment! The only dark spot on it was that I saw him giving Mr. Pickles kisses on his nose a few mornings ago.

I know for a fact that Mr. Pickles didn't ask for them. So am I second to the dog?

Old page, New Words

So I finally got back on my old page and updated it to the new version of Blogger. Finally. The old style made me rip my hair out sometimes. I have to say I love the user friendlier version mucho better.

So I decided to bring sexy back, meaning my old blog.

It's made only for me and me only. My thoughts, stupid things I see and want to talk about. I like to save this blog for my family and happier thoughts. I really don't want to bog down this happier blog with the conundrum of my mind.

So It's BACK

YEA HAW!!

I was tagged

Well I really should head to bed, but hey why not live on the edge?

Things I was doing 5 years ago?
I was getting ready for my wedding. My face was swelling up really bad on one side, so much that I looked like Sloth from the movie Goonies. Which created A LOT of additional stress on me. No worries, it went down the week of the wedding. There was a little puffiness, but not like it was before!


Pet Peeves?
People who smack their food, and chew with their mouth open. Ick.
Bad drivers, getting stuck behind slow driver when you are in a hurry. Gum smackers or snappers. Snottiness. People who throw their trash on the ground.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Move outta here and far far away. Buy a large ranch with a pond full of ducks and geese. Fill the garage up with all the cars my hubby wanted. Buy myself a grand piano. I too like Emily would hire a chef and housekeeper. Then I would probably have more kids so I could play with them. What a nice thought! I would vacation in all the warm white sanded islands.

Favorite Food/Snacks:
McDonald's French Fries
Chocolate
Lay BBQ potato chips
Pizza
Eggplant parmigiana
Brownies
green grapes
chocolate
cookies n creme ice cream
starbursts
rice pudding
movie popcorn with butter and salt

Now lets hear from:
Alana
Erica
Amanda
Kris
Traci
Staci
Ashley

New Car

Well we traded in the corolla for a mustang yesterday. Ira has had mustang dreams since he was a little kid. Of course he has owned several old classics that needed to be worked on but they all needed serious money to be dropped into them. He never got the chance to enjoy them like he had hoped. So after some thought, watching a particular car on the dealer lot for months we threw caution to the wind and traded almost straight across. Of course we know that it isn't the smartest move in the world to trade in a reliable, economical car for the gas guzzling sport car, but if you knew my husband you would understand why it was a valuable move for our sanities and marriage.

I am hoping that this might quiet some of the demons that have plagued us since he has been home from Iraq. Ira doesn't get a chance to go out and do a lot of hobbies. Cars are his number one passion. He is wanting to get a local car club together so they can go on rides, compete in car shows and do service projects. Already the past few days I am seeing life back into my husband's eyes. He is working so hard 7 days a week lately and I am happy that he was able to reach out and touch his biggest dream in life yesterday.

I am surprised that he wanted a newer car rather than the classic. But at least with this one he can drive it and slowly build his 67 fastback. Instead of trying to get the 67 restored in record amount of time and HUGE amounts of money.

We recently sold our 1969 Mach 1 a few months ago. Now we are proud owners of a 2003 Mach1. I guess we just love our ponies and gotta hear the hoof beats all the time
Our old 69 Mach 1
The 67 in its current stage of restoration

What the completed 67 fastback will look like

Meet the newest member of the family!