Hunter after his first day of TaeKwonDo. I am really impressed with the instructors and what they have planned for teaching the kids. They teach focus, discipline and respect which will really benefit Hunter. They also teach stranger awareness and defense. Hunter is very happy and seems really into it (could be the spiffy new uniform he got today!)

On a side note saw this lady in Omaha last weekend and at first glance she reminded me of Terry but once she turned around it was not even close and she was smoking! I think terry even has a green tank top just like that one!

Well gonna go find something to do the kids are bored and need to get out of the house before they go crazy!

Just rambling.....

Went for a walk through the neighborhood last night. It was quite a sight with two ferrets in tow. We adopted another one and her name is Missy. She is a pure white ferret and we know now she is also deaf. After doing some research on deaf ferrets we found that the white is the most desired color but they have a high chance of being born deaf or becoming deaf. This also leads to them being biters, which she is. We now have to "scruff" her and then rub her belly across the floor then put her a time out cage. The popular nose thumping we were advised on is NOT recommended and we believe because of her attitude it was used before.
She is learning and even starting to socialize better and play. Before she just would not play. Buddy is still a little sweet heart and curious as ever. Each night after the kids go to bed we shut all doors and let them both run free but we still have to watch our toes because Missy LOVES toes, especially if we have socks on.
We leash them just like cats and take them for walks or drags depending on if they smell something good and want to check it out, which is often because they are curious!
So the weather continues to be wonderful and hot, today I sat on a metal chair and since I had shorts on I burnt my thighs! I was almost tempted to go the lake but that may be pushing it! Just one more day at the lake would be awesome!
Stan there is a lady I met the other day who has completely domesticated some squirrels. She leaves the windows open and they come and go as they please. They are friendly and affectionate she says.
Well gonna go just hanging out so I need to find something to do before I get really bored!

So we had a hard decision to make yesterday. In order to enroll Heather in the talent agency there was an upfront fee that was more than we were expecting. From the moment we got the ok they wanted answers and were pushing for us to sign with them last night.
If there was time to think about it and really figure out if we wanted to spend that much money one something she may loose interest in a week, we would have given a different answer.
Also it was a large commitment for me because I would be her driver and appointment keeper. I have a job and I am not about to quit it just overnight for this.
So we turned them down.
I told Heather I would pay for her to go to acting classes (which will be cheaper than through the talent agency) and then we will reapply in six months. She was disappointed but it was the best decision.
So for now we will just have to wait. If she has the ability like they said then it should be no problem!

So we did our call back today for Heather's audition. They picked her saying they want her for commercial print and acting. The talent scout said that she has such an exoctic face and is very photogenic. She has to start classes tonight and will have her first real audition in two weeks. Heather is so going to be so excited when she finds out. We talked about her wanting to do this and she really wants to. I guess I feel kind of guilty because I did not know she wanted do anything like this. I am just hoping this will improve Heather's self confidence and shyness.
I am impressed with the company so far. They have strict requirements for the kids and school, they have to keep a 4.0 grade point average in school and good attendance.
The one downside is we do have to pay for acting/modeling classes so we will have to see what we figure out. I wish the dividends were here!!!!

I am writting on a sticky, flour covered laptop. I would have to say that I am turning into a google junkie. Anytime I want to find info on something I just type it in. The other day I heard of a concept that has totally blown my mind. Wireless Electronics! At first I though it wasa a joke but after googling it I found alot about it pretty neat topic and I higly recommend a search.
Anyways, a few days ago I decided I wanted to do a sourdough start. I have had one before and I loved it. Now there are things I like to do and things I don't. There are things that I don't like to do but have to and then there are things I like to do but don't. Example is I don't like to dishes and laundry but I have to do them. I do like to bake. When I had that last start it was so easy to just make some rolls for dinner and they were good.
While doing the search for the sourdough start I was disappointed at not getting instant results since I am not using any yeast. I searched for white bread recipes and picked the easiest one. I started my sourdough start and my white bread (1loaf and 24 rolls) and while I was waiting for it to rise I googled sticky buns since I already had most of the ingredients anyways. I found an easy recipe and with a little doubt in my head I started.
Now on complete accident I timed everything perfectly. I even had a break to eat some of Heath's leftover chili!
So while cooking Heath went to work on Hunter's bike, trying to fix a flat tire from the neighborhood kids. Could not find the puncture anywhere.
Heath left to go to the store for me and while he was gone the kid that Hunter plays with took the bike over to his yard and his dad put a new tube in it.
Just when we realized that he had done that I was pulling sticky buns out of the oven. I gave one plate to them as a think you, I could not believe they had done that.
So now the bread is beautiful looking since we have not had the heart to cut it open. I have this fear that it will turn out just like the turkey from national Lampoons Christmas Vacation (my favorite movie). I am sure it is fine and the sticky buns look amazing! Can't wait to try them....actually I think I am going to have a small piece!

Another beautiful day. Just when all hope for some warmer weather seemed to fade we have been blessed with wonderful weather.
Yesterday we drove to Omaha for Heather's audition and it was a beautiful drive. Once we got into Omaha though the beautiful country side was traded for the gray of the large city. The two lane interstate grew into four and five lane highways that crisscross and intertwine several on top of each other.
We got to the audition with no time to spare and went to stand in line for the paperwork that needed to be filled out. While standing in line I was able to scope out the other parents. I was shocked at the behavior shown by these parents lecturing their kids and putting huge stress on them. I just told Heather to have fun!
Once we had all the paperwork filled out we waited to be called, first though we had to watch a seminar about the talent agency. Heather got her interview and even had to read lines in front of a camera and was told by the talent scout that she was beautiful and had gorgeous eyes. We will not know anything until Monday morning when we have to call back. If we get the OK when we call back she will be launched into workshops and training starting right away. I have asked Heather over and over if she is sure she wants to do this and have also let her know that if she does not get picked does not mean she is not pretty it just means she is not what they need right now.
So we will wait.
Heath has finished his training and has already gotten his company rig a 2006 Chevy minivan. He seems to really like the job and it suits him. With his income added to mine things are looking even better!
I am still out of work and recovering. I never knew Strep could knock anyone down this bad but my immunity could be down for other reasons. ;)
Well I am going to start making some bread and I am going to try a sourdough start again! YUM!

Oh Baby!

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Back In Action!

Sometimes things just work out! Over the last few months at work I have been getting awards through doing overtime, contests and work required "show its". These are awarded in dollar values which then can be turned in for gift cards. I happened to have several saved up a decided to cash them in. I chose to have them redeemed at Best Buy. Tonight I went down and was able to purchase the replacement cord for my laptop!
So I am back online and it feels good.
This last week has been busy. We have had three B-day parties and family in town, a new ferret and work. Many lessons have been learned over that last week as well.
First no matter how cool a Blackberry is it is NOT Mountain Dew proof. While trying to take the kid's soda away while eating lunch with the family I knocked mine over right on my phone. Yeah did not work so well. I got the replacement one in the mail today so all is good there. Also learned that a ferret is cool and very entertaining but VERY sneaky and persistent. Buddy is determined to get into our bedroom and the kitchen and 90% of the time he does.
I also learned that drinking is not cool. I did not learn from a personal experience but from watching my sister come home drunk and acting like an idiot. I know I do not act like that but it has made me not want to drink again. We have come to the realization that we also can not have even a bottle of wine in the fridge to enjoy with company due to the fact that one glass for us leads to a bottle of hard stuff for her. Our house will soon be a dry zone except for the bottle I will keep under my pillow to calm my irritable nerves.
This week has been long and stressful. All the overtime I worked was not applied to my check and I will have to wait till next Friday to get it. I was not the only one who was impacted by this several people did not get their over time pay. This is the first time they have made a mistake on my check so I am not upset. All the bills are paid and Bdays are over so at least that is good. So next pay day I will get not only my regular time but the owed overtime and my sales commission check so that check will look nice especially with all our bills paid.
Sat down and looked at my 401K again today, I do this time from time to make myself smile. I have invested heavily each check and my investments have done well. I have also set my % of money to go into my 401K to go up 3% every three months and I never even see it so I don't get a chance to miss it plus work matches up to 6%. At the rate I am going by the time we retire we will be set. I am not vested until year three but I do have a small amount I am able to borrow but I am not even tempted. I just like watching grow. I have even started having fantasies of what it will look like in three years and then six. OOOooohhhh!
Wish I had something more exciting to blog about but just life.
I will post pictures and video of Buddy tomorrow but I am just too tired tonight.

Well we have anoter member added to our family. His name is Buddy and he is a one year old ferret. We adopted him fro the humaine society fo Heather. It was almost like it was meant to be. At the same time we were sitting at the shelter I was surfing craigslist from my blackberry and found a cage and all the accessories for 35.00 dollars. By the time we brought Buddy home we were able to go get his cage. The people we bought the cage from even gave us a book on first time ferret owners. He is really well behaved and loves the kids. He is a little sneaky though and though he is able to run the house we have to watch to make sure he does not go under the bedroom doors and under appliances. I am especially surprised at his intelligence and curiosity and he can be damn determined. He went for his first walk with Heather and Heath while they waited to pick me up from work. He has a little harness and even has tags. In order to get him we had to license the cats and dog which is the first time in our history that our animals have been completely legal! I was surprised at the long process to adopt him. It took at least an hour and you had to go through an interview process. I think it is good. Insurance that the animals adopted are not returned or abused.
He has put a smile on Heather's face so he was worth the money and the time!
Well I am going to go and relax. As soon as I am able to connect with my laptop I will post pictures of him!

Anoher Quick Note

So the weekend is almot here. We are fully moved into our new house adn SO glad to be out of the old house. The water was never turned in the old house and now we are taking our old landlord to court for the rent. The new house is pretty and has rooms for everyone. I think my favorite thing is the hardwood floors. I also love my kids having friends they paly with right in there neighborhood. They are all good kids I just wonder in the back of my mind as they are at my house for hours, where are thier parents?
We have a big family party tonight and Heath is making enchaladas and I wonder if he can compete with the ones made by Terry. I am sure they will be fine!
So I think fall is here. We had rain the end of last week and it seems that since then the weather has gotten colder and 90 has turned to 70.
Had a long talk with Hunter's teacher the other day. Seems he is having trouble focusing in class so we talk about ways to get him engaged in class. I was very happy that she was proactive and it wasn't about putting him on medication which seems to be teacher's first step these days. We also talked with Hunter about why he was not focussing and he says he gets bored. We agreed that when he is starting to get bored he needs to tell his teacher that he needs something to do. I am just glad agian that se is willing to work with us!
SO other than that things have been rolling along. I have been working overtime at work to make up for the cut in pay due to the fact that I no longer work the late shift and make that extra pay. Oh well it is worth it due to the fact that I am home at 730 and able to eat dinner and help get the kids ready for bed and ready for school.
Well I am gonna go!

just a quick

just a quick note to let everyone know whats going on. We have finally moved into our new house and are getting things organized. The kids have made SEVERAL friends in the neighborhood and my house is infested by 8 on the weekends. We were informed that our yard is the community yard and the kids ARE allowed to play here all day. Heather is now playing the cello in band...and has been practicing since she got it. Hunter has gotten into his first real fist fight which was luckily stopped by another kid. Heather informed me that he has been using potty mouth and when I asked him about it and why he was using the "B" word, he told me he did not use the "B" word but said Beotch. Had to explain that it was still considered a pottymouth word.
My Mom has showed up and will be spending the next couple of weeks here visiting. We have a family birthday party planned for this Friday and since I have the next two days off I will get to hang out with her! We are having Heather's B-day party on Sunday and her and my mom is planning a day with her on Saturday.
Well got to go as I am still without a cord and I am using my mom's puter! By!